Lamborghini Honors The V12, Its Iconic 12-Cylinder Engine That Has Powered Its Most Iconic Models For Almost Six Decades

31st of August, 2022, Sant'Agata Bolognese 

In 2022, Lamborghini will honour the V12, the renowned 12-cylinder engine that has powered its most iconic cars for over 60 years.

One such vehicle is the Diablo, which was the first four-wheel drive Lamborghini super sports car. The Diablo was so far ahead of its time that it was labelled a series production hypercar when it first debuted. It was officially unveiled on 21 January 1990 during Lamborghini Day at the Sporting in Monte Carlo, with a 12-cylinder engine that initially delivered a displacement of 5.7 litres and later 6.0 litres, producing a maximum power output of nearly 600 HP in the road versions and 655 HP in the GT1 Stradale model for the racetrack, of which only two units were made.

The legendary Lamborghini Diablo VT was Lamborghini's first four-wheel drive super sports vehicle, debuting in a year full of V12 celebrations.

With the completion of the last Aventador Ultimae[1], the "pure" V12 combustion engine will be discontinued before the end of 2022. Next year, the Aventador's successor will debut with a plug-in hybrid version of the V12 engine.

A 11-year commercial success storyNot just because of its incredible performance and enjoyable driving experience, but also because of its particular position in Automobili Lamborghini's history and the hearts of devotees. The success of this model catapulted the company into the present. When Lamborghini began development of what they internally dubbed "Project 132" in 1985 to replace the Countach, they knew it had to convey the full power of the Sant'Agata-based automaker in a few key ways: look sporty and muscular while still being appealing; deliver the aesthetics for which Lamborghini has always been known; and be future-proof, to remain the world's fastest production car for years to come.

Sandro Munari, a former Rally World Champion, was instrumental in the development process, and it showed in the car's outstanding performance throughout the first rounds of testing. Throughout its commercial run (which lasted until 2001), the Diablo showed it could change to meet the needs of the market and the expectations of its consumers. A total of 2,903 Diablos were manufactured throughout the course of its 11-year manufacturing run, making it a major commercial success.

Advances in the V12 Engine's Development

The original 3.5-liter V12 engine from 1963 served as the basis for the Diablo's 5.7-liter V12 engine, which is still the car's technological centrepiece. When the Diablo first appeared, that latter size was its powerplant. Maximum power was 492 HP at 6800 rpm and maximum torque was 580 Nm at 5200 rpm with the catalytic converter installed in the rear longitudinal position. It also used electronic fuel injection developed by Lamborghini and Weber Marelli, called LIE. The Diablo 6.0 SE and Diablo GT both debuted in 1999 with 6.0-liter engines with 525 horsepower and 605 Newton-meters of torque owing to fine-tuned fuel injection.

Increased speed and firepower characterise Diablo's second series.

The year 1998 was a watershed moment for Lamborghini when it was acquired by Audi. The carmaker was able to get sufficient funding, allowing for the development of a more detailed industrial strategy and the acquisition of components and technologies previously unavailable to it. The new owners agreed that the Diablo was an excellent product and should be maintained and improved. This resulted in the development of the second generation Diablo, which was created at the company's new in-house Centro Stile. The larger V12 6-liter engine not only made it quicker and more powerful than before, but also allowed for more luxury finishes and better dependability in everyday driving, the consequence of stringent quality control measures used throughout the whole process.

The first four-wheel-drive Lamborghini, the Diablo VT, debuted in 1993.

Rear longitudinal engine with four chain-driven camshafts, electronic fuel injection, rear-wheel drive, and a mechanical gearbox were the original Diablo's sophisticated but conventional mechanical components. Electronics were only there to control the engine until 1993 when power steering was finally introduced. Presented in 1993, the Lamborghini Diablo VT was the company's first four-wheel drive super sports vehicle and quickly set the standard for stability on the road and driver protection in adverse weather.

The term "Viscous Traction" (or "VT") was coined to describe the method by which torque is transmitted from the vehicle's rear axle to its front undercarriage. The VT is generally a rear-wheel drive vehicle, but its viscous coupling and propeller shaft coupled to the front differential allow for up to 20% transfer to the front wheels if the rear wheels slide. Lamborghini's newest model, the VT, is the first to include electronically controlled suspension with a choice of five different operating modes.

The first open-top Lamborghini with a 12-cylinder engine, the Diablo Roadster, was released in 1995.The V12 Diablo, which also came with an open top, established a new custom. There had been some hesitant efforts in earlier years, but they had all been one-offs. The Diablo Roadster was first shown to the public in December 1995. It had a carbon fibre Targa top that, when folded down, tucked neatly over the engine cover.
RacingLamborghini returned to racing with the Diablo in 1996 in a support event for the 24 Hours of Le Mans as part of the Super Sport Trophy - subsequently the Super Trofeo - racing championship. A total of 34 550 HP Diablo SV-Rs were built for use by gentleman drivers in hour-long competitions.

Movies starring Diablo

In a number of movies, the Diablo had a significant role. Their arrival to the hotel in the red Diablo from the American comedy "Dumb & Dumber" with Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels is one of the film's most iconic sequences.

Andrzej Bartkowiak's "Exit Wounds," starring "DMX" Earl Simmons and Anthony Anderson, included the song as well. The 1999 Diablo VT Roadster, purchased with cold hard cash after an intense engine "rev up," is the star of this scenario at the vehicle store.

Last but not least, a Diablo SV is the main attraction in "Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit."
[1] The Aventador LP 780-4 Ultimae's combined fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are as follows: 18.0 l/100 km; 442 g/km (WLTP)