There are many ways to find your inner mantra. Many prefer the seraphic calm of a spa or of meditation. Yet, if you were born with a natural love for cars and you cannot resist the adrenaline rush that comes from driving a Lambo through beautiful scenery... there is no massage that can best this. With the harmonized sound of two Lamborghinis unleashed on the Lake Maggiore, everyone will agree that this is the most electrifying way to relax yourself.
Lamborghinis have always been synonym with madness, unruliness and extreme speed. This is the Raging Bull, which made of strong emotions the key point of its philosophy. Designed by Giotto Bizzarrini, Lamborghini's V12 engine has always been the beating heart, the symphonic orchestra of every GT made in Sant’Agata Bolognese.
Perhaps one of the icons of the 1990ies and the one that had the difficult job of replacing the Countach, the Diablo has represented Lamborghini’s spearhead for a decade. Moved by the legendary 530hp 5.7 liter V12, it has represented a dream for an entire generation of enthusiasts. It is also considered as the last "true" lamborghini, characterized by a typically Italian philosophy: even if at the time it was under the rule of Chrysler, the Diablo has always remained faithful to the Brand’s tradition.
Although it was designed by Marcello Gandini, it wasn’t able to suscitate the same stir that the Countach did. Perhaps, having been developed to behave more gently than its predecessor, it wasn't able to draw as much attention from the public.
Identified with the internal project number 132, the development was assigned to the supervision of engineer Marmiroli, who designed a new chassis based on rectangular-section tubings, which allowed to obtain a structure weighing 30 kilos less than the Countach. The engine was also modified: in the first moment, total displacement was enlarged to 5.2 liters, but poor results convinced engineers to bore out the engine to 5.7 liter, which allowed to obtain 530 hp. The production version was equipped with an integrated distribution and ignition system by Weber, called "Lie" and the driveshaft was moved on to the right of the engine and didn't pass through the carter like it did in the Countach. For many, the Diablo is the last true Raging Bull ever produced.
Although purists think otherwise, the acquisition of the Company by Audi in 1998 didn’t really worsened all things: in all honesty, it has made them better. The “bad attitude” of Sant'Agata's beasts was made more gentle and new models came along.
Without doubt, the Gallardo has not been the first “baby Lamborghini”, but throughout its life, it has best represented the new course of the Company. A more accessible and less "mad" model, well within the range of the average supercar buyer. With its successor, the Huracan, there has been a further step in favour of this new philosophy, enough for journalists to wonder if this is still a “real” Lambo.
Obviously, Lambos will always be Lambos and the Diablo and the Huracan are to extremes of the same philosophy. They're two sisters born in different eras and both still generate pure driving emotions.
Jacopo Villa, contributor
Photo credits: Federico Bajetti for The Outlierman © 2018
1 comment
……sono nato col pallino delle auto😜