After 17 years in production, the legendary Countach was replaced by the Diablo, which on its arrival was the fastest, most advanced and most expensive Lamborghini ever built. First exhibited publicly at Monaco in January 1990, the Diablo improved on its illustrious predecessor in every way, setting a new benchmark in supercar design. Nobody can have been surprised to learn that it had been styled by Marcello Gandini, the man responsible for the Lamborghini Miura and Countach, for the family resemblance was obvious.
Beneath the skin there was a steel spaceframe chassis, developed from the Countach’s, but constructed of square-section rather than round tubing and incorporating ‘crumple zones’ at front and rear. 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 envisaged future developments of four-wheel drive and active suspension. Stretched to 5.7 litres for the Diablo, Lamborghini’s 48-valve V12 engine gained fuel injection for the first time and producing a maximum of 492bhp. Of equal, if not greater significance, maximum torque went up to 428lb/ft, an improvement of 55% over the Countach. Catalytic converters were standard, enabling the reworked V12 to meet emissions requirements worldwide.
With more power and a lower drag coefficient than the Countach, the Lamborghini Diablo easily eclipsed its forebear, exceeding 200mph (322km/h) on test. More importantly, its acceleration and top speed figures were marginally better than those of the Ferrari F40. T Its UK launch price was pitched at just under £153,000, making the Diablo one the world’s most expensive cars
Offering a more focused driving experience, Lamborghini’s Diablo SV was introduced in 1995 at the Geneva Motor Show . With its 5.7-litre V-12 producing 510 bhp and 580 nm of torque, performance was astonishing, with the SV boasting a 3.9 second sprint to 60 mph from a standstill, leading to a top speed of 191 mph. These cars were differentiated by their adjustable rear spoiler, revised engine lid with roof mounted air-scoops, and slightly larger front brakes
This particular Diablo SV chassis no #12641 is one of the very few UK supplied RHD cars. Originally supplied via Lamborghini GB, Berkshire in January 1997 and is finished in its original colour combination of Titanium over Black Alcantara.#12641 has had just 5 keepers in total since new and remained in single ownership from 2003 until 2019. The car has a comprehensive service history, and for most of its life #12641 has been looked after by the U.K’s leading Lamborghini specialist, Mike Pullen of Carrera Sport. Most recently it has been serviced by Lamborghini Leicester in December 2020.
Offered for sale with its original leather book pack including service book and owners manual, the car offers a rare chance to own of the most iconic Lamborghinis ever built.
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