Lamborghini Diablo GT
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In 1999, Lamborghini fans got a pleasant surprise when the Diablo GT was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show. It combined the modifications of the GT2 race car with the outrageousness of the Diablo to offer serious road racing performance. So much so, it remains as the fastest road-going Diablo ever made by the factory. At the time of delivery in September 1999, the Diablo GT was also one of the fastest supercars as well, reaching a top speed of 215 mph (346 kph).
What set the GT apart from the Diablos before it was a comprehensive list of upgrades which included a larger V12 engine and a radical carbon fibre body. This meant the GT was lighter, faster and had better road-handling than all other Diablos.
Much of the GT's diet can be attributed to its extensive use of composite materials including bodywork fabricated almost completely of carbon fibre. The only non-composite panels were the steel roof and aluminum doors.
Particularly distinct was the front bodywork which accommodated a wider track, brake cooling ducts and a front-mounted oil cooler. Air entered the oil cooler from the very front of the car and exited via an extractor atop the bonnet. A large engine scoop also sat atop the engine cover feeding the V12 with fresh air. Unlike the SV, airflow for this scoop was dynamically controlled by the on-board computer.
Paramount to the exclusive peroformance of the GT was the larger engine which used a 4mm longer stroke to add 5% more displacement. With a new individually throated intake system, a reworked exhaust, titanium connecting rods and lighter crankshaft, 25 additional horsepower was realized.
Inside, the GT was appointed heavily with carbon fibre and leather. Each came standard with racing seats, four-point seat belts and amenities such as air conditioning and power windows. An optional wing-mounted camera system was available to assist with parking.
Only 80 examples of the GT were constructed, each in either orange, titan-silver, black or yellow bodywork. Depending on the customer's use, each came with custom ratios, the longest of which offered a top speed of 215 mph.
| engine |
60 Degree, Aluminum Alloy, V12 |
| position |
Mid Longitudinal |
| aspiration |
Natural |
| valvetrain |
DOHC, 4 Valves per Cyl w/VVT & VIS |
| fuel feed |
Fuel Injection w/Variable Intake |
| displacement |
6496 cc / 396.4 cu in |
| bore |
88 mm / 3.46 in |
| stroke |
86.8 mm / 3.42 in |
| compression |
11.0:1 |
| power |
477.3 kw / 640 bhp @ 8000 rpm |
| hp per litre |
98.52 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight |
384.38 bhp per weight |
| torque |
660 nm / 486.8 ft lbs @ 6000 rpm |
| redline |
8000 |
| drive wheels |
Permanent 4WD w/Viscous Traction |
| body / frame |
Carbon Fibre Body over Tubular Steel Frame w/Steel Roof |
| front brakes |
Carbon-Ceramic Discs w/Power Assist, 8-Pot Calipers, ABS, DRP |
| f brake size |
380 mm / 15.0 in |
| rear brakes |
Carbon-Ceramic Discs w/Power Assist, 4-Pot Calipers, ABS, DRP |
| r brake size |
355 mm / 14.0 in |
| front wheels |
F 45.7 x 21.6 cm / 18.0 x 8.5 in |
| rear wheels |
R 45.7 x 33.0 cm / 18.0 x 13.0 in |
| front tire size |
Pirelli P Zero ROSSO 245/35ZR18 Pirelli P Zero Rosso |
| rear tire size |
Pirelli P Zero ROSSO 335/30ZR18 Pirelli P Zero Rosso |
| steering |
Rack & Pinion w/Power Assist |
| f suspension |
Double Wishbones w/Coil Springs, Gas Pressure Dampers, Anti-Roll Bar |
| r suspension |
Double Wishbones w/Coil Springs, Gas Pressure Dampers, Anti-Roll Bar |
| weight |
1665 kg / 3671 lbs |
| wheelbase |
2665 mm / 104.9 in |
| front track |
1635 mm / 64.4 in |
| rear track |
1695 mm / 66.7 in |
| length |
4610 mm / 181.5 in |
| width |
2058 mm / 81.0 in |
| height |
1135 mm / 44.7 in |
| transmission |
6-Speed Manual |
| gear ratios |
3.091:1, 2.105:1, 1.565:1, 1.241:1, 1.065:1, 0.939:1 |
| final drive |
2.53:1 |
| top speed |
339.6 kph / 211 mph |
| 0 - 60 mph |
3.3 seconds |