Beauty Collage

First seen in the late 1980s, the Lamborghini Diablo was the successor to the famous Countach model, and evolved into a range of three state-of-the-art vehicles which are among the most powerful four-wheel-drive cars in existence: the Diablo Roadster, the Diablo VT and the Diablo SV (standing for Sports Veloce). There were also two special edition Diablos made solely for the US market – the Alpine VT, which was slightly more powerful than the Diablo SV, and the MOMO Roadster. The SV version was available somewhere in the middle of the $239,000 - $333,500 price range for the Diablo model.

Under the bonnet of the Diablo SV lives an engine with some impressive figures: 530 bhp at 7,100 rpm, with a claimed top speed of 209 mph. According to Lamborghini, the 5.7-litre Lambo unit was capable of a 0-60 mph dash in just under 4 seconds, with torque peaking at 445 lb/ft at 5,500 rpm. All models come with 5-speed manual transmission.

The Diablo featured a suspension system which was inherited from the marque’s racing vehicles, including stabiliser bars which could be adjusted in the cockpit as in an Indy 500 car, as well as independent rear and front wishbones, an anti-roll bar, and coil springs.

The fast, stripped-down nature of the vehicle meant that it was only comfortable transport for two smaller-than-average people in the front seats, and offered just enough room for a golf bag in the tiny luggage compartment. It featured gull-wing style doors, but without the roof panels, as well as rear spoilers which would have looked at home on the racetrack. The enormous disc brakes were essential in bringing this powerhouse car to a quick stop.

High-tech electronic features included static ignition, multi-point, sequential-phased fuel injection, and a shock absorber system which featured both manual and automatic control systems.

Despite the fact that the Diablo SV was some 5 inches wider than the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, standing at 80.3 inches in width, the Lamborghini had a curb weight of just 3,575 lb, a staggering 1,300 lb less than an S-Class saloon or CL coupe model.

As if the awesome power of the Diablo SV was not enough, Lamborghini released an even more powerful version of the Diablo – the Diablo GT. Lamborghini claim that this is the fastest production car in the world, although it is currently only road-legal in Europe. The rarity of such models means that they really are designed with race drivers and wealthy collectors in mind. Indeed, one Monterey Classics weekend featured as many as 55 Lamborghinis, including the unique Lamborghini Miura, previously owned by the Shah of Iran, and now owned by Nicolas Cage.