After 17 years in production, Lamborghini’s iconic Countach finally made way for the Diablo, a car that moved the marque decisively into a new era. Unveiled at Monaco in January 1990, it was faster, more advanced and more expensive than any Lamborghini that had come before it, yet retained the dramatic presence for which the company had become famous. Styled by Marcello Gandini, whose previous work included the Miura and Countach, the Diablo combined the visual theatre expected of Sant’Agata with genuine progress in engineering, refinement and usability.
The model introduced a new level of sophistication to the Lamborghini formula. Carbon fibre composite panels, developments in suspension design and the adoption of fuel injection for the 48-valve V12 all marked a significant step forward. The platform was conceived with future developments in mind, including four-wheel drive, and Lamborghini’s 5.7-litre V12 delivered performance that comfortably moved beyond the Countach. Over the course of its life the Diablo evolved steadily, but it was the arrival of Audi ownership in 1998 that brought the most comprehensive revision. The result was the Diablo 6.0 VT, with fixed headlamps, reworked styling, numerous under-skin improvements and the enlarged 6.0-litre V12, creating what many regard as the definitive version of the model.
Finished in Nero Pegaso over a classically dramatic Diablo interior in Nero Pegaso leather with Grigio inserts, the example offered here was first registered in Switzerland and supplied by Lamborghini Porrentruy. Its early life appears to have been one of regular use and proper maintenance, supported by service history from the supplying dealer and other specialists. Recorded servicing includes Lamborghini Porrentruy at 2,824km in September 2000, 12,803km in May 2001 and 36,733km in September 2002, together with work by P3 Automobiles of Cannes in August 2001 and Garage Remsa of Sion in 2007 at 45,100km. It is clearly a car that was used as intended in period, covering mileage across its early years rather than being placed immediately into static storage.
The Diablo was brought to the UK in 2012 and has remained here since. It was serviced by Rardley Motors at 46,077km in October 2012 and appears to have seen only minimal use thereafter. Since arriving in the UK it has had just three keepers, before changing hands again in 2022 when it was the subject of extensive servicing by SB Racing at 46,088km.
Today the car is accompanied by its owner’s handbook, service book and a history file detailing recent expenditure. Works in 2022 included a full service, replacement of the notorious sticky switches, four new Pirelli P Zero Asimmetrico tyres and further associated sundry items, all helping bring the car to the presentation and standard seen today.
This is an appealing example of the ultimate Diablo, a car with clear early use, sensible later stewardship and supporting history from new. Rarely does a model better encapsulate the spirit of the late-1990s and early-2000s supercar era, and this 6.0 VT offers an opportunity to acquire one of Lamborghini’s most significant modern classics in a form that is both highly usable and eminently collectible.
