2001 LAMBORGHINI DIABLO

After 17 years in production, Lamborghini’s much revered Countach was superseded by the Diablo which, on its arrival, was the fastest, most advanced and most expensive Lamborghini ever built. First presented publicly at Monaco in January 1990, the Diablo improved on its predecessor in every way, setting a new standard in ‘supercar’ design. It was styled by the late Marcello Gandini, the man responsible for Lamborghini’s Miura, Countach, Uracco, Khamsin and Jarama, Alfa’s Montreal, the Lancia Stratos and many more stunning designs over four decades.

The use of carbon fibre composite panels, first seen in the Countach Evoluzione model, was extended in the Diablo, which also featured revised suspension capable of accommodating the anticipated future developments of four-wheel drive and active suspension. Stretched to 5.7-litres for the Diablo, Lamborghini's 48-valve V12 boasted fuel-injection for the first time.

With more power and a lower drag coefficient than the Countach, the Diablo easily eclipsed its forebearer, exceeding 200mph on test. More importantly however, its acceleration and top-speed figures were marginally better than those of its main rival, the Ferrari F40. The Diablo though, was not a limited-edition model like the latter but a series-production car with a luxuriously appointed interior reflecting its designers' intention to produce a civilised Gran Turismo as suited to city streets as motorways and fast A-roads. Four-wheel drive Diablo VT and Targa-style open roadster versions soon followed.

When Automobili Lamborghini was purchased in 1998 by the VW Group subsidiary, Audi AG, Lamborghini’s famous 60° V12 engine – utilised for almost 50 years - continued undergoing constant upgrades, growing from 5.7-litres to the final displacement of 6.5-litres found in the Murciélago LP670-4 Superveloce. Audi extensively reworked the Diablo, with fixed headlamps plus an increase in engine size to 6-litres with numerous changes under the skin.

In 2001, at the Geneva Motor Show, Lamborghini announced the production of a final run of 42 cars (with car #42 now in the Lamborghini Museum). These SE (Special Edition) versions of the already massively upgraded VT 6.0 were available finished in Oro Elios or Marrone Eklipsis to represent sunrise and sunset, and featured many mechanical upgrades. Other changes included a new magnesium intake manifold, short-ratio transmission, special upholstery treatment, Lamborghini-badged brake calipers, comprehensive road map software in the navigation system, and enhanced carbon fibre interior trim.

The resultant Diablo VT 6.0 SE Coupé four-wheel drive supercar is powered by the 6-litre V12 and features an aluminium-alloy block, aluminium alloy/magnesium heads, chain driven DOHC per bank, intake variable valve timing and a magnesium intake manifold resulting in 550bhp @ 7,100rpm and 422ft/lb @ 5,500rpm. This fabulous power unit sits in a high-strength, tubular spaceframe with carbon fibre components, clothed in aluminium alloy, carbon fibre and fibreglass-reinforced bodywork and sits on lightweight magnesium alloy wheels. Comparitively light at 1,675kg (not much more than the svelte Gallardo coupé), the SE offered 0-62mph in 3.95 seconds on its way to 205mph.

The right-hand drive SE presented here is #9 of the 42 produced, dates from 2001 and is finished in 'Oro Elios' or Gold Helios (Helios was one of the Titans, son of Hyperion and Theia and was the personification of the Sun). It was delivered new to Hong Kong, where it formed part of a significant Collection and was stored and maintained to the highest standards prior to being imported into the UK (with all taxes paid) and registered Y453 FBA. Benefiting from a thorough inspection/service at Lamborghini Tunbridge Wells (27th December 2023), this immaculate modern-classic supercar has covered an almost-inconceivably low 564 miles from new. It is as special as you would wish it to be, in superbly unused and beautifully preserved condition, the epitome of ‘collector-quality’.

Striking in its design, specification and colour combination, this Diablo VT 6.0 SE Coupé is absolutely what a supercar should be and represents a unique position in the Lamborghini timeline. Retaining some of the dramatic design language that harked back to the Countach, whilst utilising the glorious old-guard V12 (albeit evolved/updated), but with the subtle reassurance of Audi’s yet-to-be dominant influence on improving reliability, electronics and usability and before there was a fundamental (but maybe not better) change in the model’s aesthetics.

The last of the line, run-out model of any significant car is desirable, but when it’s one of only 42 examples produced worldwide, features a legendary 550bhp normally-aspirated V12 and has covered just over 500 miles from new, it takes ‘desirable’ to the next level.

An opportunity like this is incredibly rare and Iconic Auctioneers are extremely proud to offer this car to market. Don’t miss it, this is an important motor car and worthy of any significant Collection.

Interesting extra reading to be found here: Lamborghini Diablo 6.0 VT | PH Heroes - PistonHeads UK

Transmission: Manual