Classified picks
Year of manufacture 2002 Recorded mileage 14,030km Asking price €475,000 Vendor Art & Revs, Howald, Luxembourg; 00352 26 48 17 41; www.artandrevs.com
WHEN IT WAS NEW Price £195,461 Max power 549bhp Max torque 457lb ft 0-60mph 3.8 secs Top speed 208mph Mpg 12.3
The Italians have always been masters of car design when compared with their American cousins, but the Lamborghini Diablo is proof that there are always exceptions. Marcello Gandini’s initial design was angular and sharp, a mishmash of corners and creases that never did that much for me. In contrast the final design, smoothed by Chrysler’s draughtsmen, is stunning, a reimagining of the early Countach before the excesses of the ’80s took their toll.
Unlike the Countach, the Diablo only improved as time went on, both in terms of styling and engineering. The best came as the ’90s drew to a close and its replacement, the Murciélago, was visible on the horizon. With Lamborghini by then under Audi’s control, chief designer Luc Donckerwolke was charged with refining the Diablo to give the model one last hurrah. What followed was the VT 6.0, a tweaked and modernised version built around the limited-edition GT’S V12 furnished with new camshafts, fettled variable valve timing and a new exhaust system to produce 549bhp and 457lb ft of torque.
Styling changes also prepared the Diablo for the new millennium, with striking revisions to the nose including enormous intakes under each headlamp and smoother front wings to tie in with the Murciélago. Less obvious but very welcome changes were made to improve driver comfort, including better air conditioning and a reworked pedal box. The rear of the car was neater, thanks largely to Lamborghini doing away with the red or black tail-light surrounds in favour of body colour, and gorgeous 18in OZ Teledial alloys were added.
Of the run-out Diablos, none are more desirable than the limited-edition VT 6.0 SE that was announced at the 2001 Geneva Salon. Just 42 were made, each featuring a magnesium intake manifold, a short-gear transaxle and extra carbon interior detailing, plus branded brake calipers. The cars were available in two colours: Oro Elios, evoking sunrise, and Marrone Eklipsis, representing sunset.
Art & Revs’ example is a ‘sunrise’ car, in gold with a deep brown interior, and was the third off the line. Delivered new to Switzerland, the car benefits from a deleted rear wing and a cosseted existence with three owners and across just 14,000km. The current keeper has had the car since 2005, and from the bulging history file it’s clear that no expense has been spared during that time. As well as being one of the best Diablos in existence, it’s also one of the most desirable, representing the final link to Ferruccio’s Lamborghini.