W
L
power output of 575 BHP and 630 NM of torque. The transmission was the
same 5-speed unit as used in other Diablo variants, but different gear ratios
could be specified by the buyer. The car omitted the all-wheel-drive system to
save weight.
In 1998 Audi took over Lamborghini from its former Southeast Asian owners
and set out to modernise and refine the Diablo while its replacement, the
Murciélago was developed. Audi tasked then chief designer Luc Donckerwolke
to design a more refined and a modern Diablo. The VT 6.0 was released for
sale for the 2000 model year as a result featured significant styling changes both
inside and out.
On the exterior, the VT 6.0 differed from its predecessors with a revised front
fascia that featured two large air intakes. The air dam, nose panel and wings were
all reworked and smoothed. The front indicators were enlarged and shifted in
position and the small air inlets in the tops of the fenders were removed. The
rear of the car remained familiar but the tail light surrounds were now body-
coloured (rather than transparent red or black) and the lamps themselves used
the configuration seen on the track oriented GT variant. Aluminium 18 inch
OZ wheels which were styled with a 5-hole “phone dial” design similar to that
seen on the later models of the Countach were used. The interior was refined by
improved air-conditioning and revised seat and pedal alignment. The engine
was shared with the limited production GT variant and had updated ECU
software in addition to new intake and exhaust systems and a refined variable
valve timing system with revised camshafts. The engine had a power output of
575 bhp 620 Nm of torque.
Due to the development of the Murciélago, the Diablo VT 6.0 was only available
in coupe with no more roadster or SV models planned. However customers
could specially order a rear-wheel drive version of the VT 6.0. At the end of
the Diablo’s production run, the company introduced the limited production
Diablo VT 6.0 SE. The SE had a revised engine having a power output of 549
bhp. This model was only available in two colours, the gold metallic “Oro
Elios” represented sunrise, while the colour-shifting bronze/maroon “Marrone
Eklipsis” represented the sunset. Other changes include a new magnesium
intake manifold. It had special upholstery treatment, Lamborghini badged
brake calliper’s, comprehensive road map software in the navigation system
and enhanced carbon fibre trim on the interior. Production was limited to 42
units.
If you want a Diablo expect to pay up to £550k.
For all things Lamborghini contact [email protected].