From the 1990s to 2001, Lamborghini introduced its 'Lamborghini Diablo' in the market: Diablo meaning "Devil" in Spanish. The Lamborghini Diablo is a mid-engine sports car with the technical top speed of 200MPH, exhibiting high-performance. The Diablo SV model was brought forth in 1995 at the Geneva Motor Show. The vehicle received praise from the audience and was also used as the cover for the Need For Speed Hot Pursuit video game, making it a symbolic representation of super sports cars. With a few improvements and a facelift, the Diablo SV got inaugurated as a simplified version in 1999.

The Diablo series, called the 'Biggest head-turner in the world,' had 900 standard units of the SV and 100 facelift units in the market. It had an additional 20 units of the limited edition SV Monetary model specifically designed for the US. Let us dive into the specs and features this masterpiece possesses.

Lamborghini Diablo SV: A Jewel in the Crown

Lamborghini Diablo SV - Rear
Via CarPixel

The SV or "Sport Veloce" variant of the Diablo was an optional add-on package to the base car. With a two-wheel drive system, the car initially came equipped with a 510 Hp engine at 7,100rpm. The Diablo SV produced 510 HP, later changed to 595 HP to provide better power even at low speed. The Diablo comes with a 5.7-liter V-12 inspired by the same design as the Giotto Bizzarrini from the 1960s. The light-alloy engine mounted longitudinally contained pressed-in liners and rear-wheel drive. With a capacity of 5,707cc, it exhibits a pressurized water cooling system and electronic integrated fuel injection.

The Lamborghini Diablo SV was made to be a better daily driver, unlike other Italian exotics of the time. Now, being an SV, it had a respectable performance with a 0-60 time of fewer than 4 seconds and the SVS version of 1998 with a twin-turbo engine produced over 800 HP. The Lamborghini Diablo SV even had an adjustable rear spoiler as standard, which could be color-matched or completely carbon-fiber.

Related: Stand Out From The Crowd With This 1996 Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster

A Number Of Revisions To Achieve The Perfect Design

Lamborghni Diablo SV - Frotn Quarter
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Lamborghini introduced the Diablo series when they were going through tough times. The series came categorized in numerous versions, including the Diablo SV bringing back the Super Veloce name. Marcello Gandini designed the initial product idea, later rejected, and Gandini's design got replaced by Tom Gale and his team's softened wedge-style design. The two-seater, two-doored coupe comes with horizontally hinged doors catching the attention.

The Diablo SV remained unchanged and without an update from 1995 to 1998. With an alteration, the entry-level model underwent a few updates and added features with an alteration. The Diablo SV came equipped with a rear spoiler that can be adjusted and is either made of carbon fiber or colored-body fiber to color-coordinated as per your preference. With a brutal look, the car ruled the hearts of sports car enthusiasts.

The spoiler came equipped with dual lamp pop-up fog headlights on both the front and rear of the car and air scoops in the spoiler. But the pop-up lamps on the car's body got replaced in 1999 with fixed compound lenses giving it a sleek design. The position of the lights shifted from the sides to be on the bumper, making room for the Diablo and SV badge and logo. It comes with twin air intake ducts on the roof to lead cold air into the engine to not heat up. It appeals to the customers with a similar engine lid to the Diablo E30 Jota and an optional 'SV' decal on the car's sides. The updated version of the vehicle comes with a comparatively larger front brake diameter of 13.4-inches and increased front wheel size to 18-inches.

Racing DNA Outside, Extravagant Luxury Inside

Lamborghini Diablo Interior
Via Top Speed

The cabin was relatively indistinguishable from the basic Diablo model, but the facelift and upgrade in 1998 came with improved specs for an immersive drive experience. The interior might appear somewhat basic compared to the vehicles designed at the present times, but is one of the most cherished and served comfort to the passenger. The Lamborgini Diablo SV's interiors were an enormous retreat from the Countach, giving it a thoroughly modern change.

The car came with the latest and fashionable appearance and an ergonomic layout with better quality material and upholstery preferences. The dashboard upgraded from a flat and angled, giving it an organic feel to a fancy integrated wave-shaped one, making it look more fashionable and modern. The separated instrument clump binnacle from the dashboard gives it a classy look.

The angled center stack made it a trend that manufacturers compile to nowadays. The car comes furnished with superior quality hand-stitched leather seats and a 320 mm wide steering wheel made of carbon-fiber adjustable to your preference in all respects. The door openings were revised and constructed a lot wider to allow easy in and out from the vehicle. With electric windows and an Alpine audio system, you experience comfort and entertainment.

The company offered an optional conventionally configured driver's seat and a remote CD changer. Giving Diablo SV a sporty feel, the car's dashboard came equipped with color-coded gauges with warning lamps and an embroidered SV logo on the headrest of the seats. You can also add a $10,500 Breguet clock, a subwoofer, and a luggage set. The aesthetic design of the cabin is an inspiration from Bang & Olufsen Hi-Fi products.

The Lamborghini Diablo is one of the most iconic Italian supercars of the 90s, which has extended its influence way into the 2000s. The successor to the legendary Countach, Diablo was made to turn heads wherever it went with its wide, low, and futuristic look. It was also hugely successful, selling over 3000 units and represented a dream come true for the engineers at Lamborghini. By becoming the fastest in the super sports car segment, Lamborghini Diablo was the benchmark for future Lamborghini sports cars and shows the greatness of quality craftsmanship.