Lamborghini Diablo Dimensions & Size: Complete Specifications
The Lamborghini Diablo is a wild supercar from Italy. This car came out in 1990. It scared people with its loud engine and crazy looks. Many car lovers call it the best supercar ever made. The Diablo name means “devil” in Spanish. This car really looks like something from hell.

The Story behind Lamborghini Diablo
Lamborghini started making the Diablo in 1990. They needed a new car to replace the old Countach. The company wanted something faster and better looking.
Here are the key facts about its history:
- Work started on this car in 1985.
- Marcello Gandini drew the first designs.
- Chrysler bought Lamborghini in 1987.
- The first car rolled out in January 1990.
- They made cars until 2001.
- Only 2,903 cars were built.
- Each car was hand-built in Italy.
- Workers took weeks to finish one car.
- The car cost more than most houses.
- Rich people bought them as toys.
- Many sat in garages unused.
- Some crashed within days of buying.
How the Diablo Looks
The Lamborghini Diablo looks mean and angry. Every line on this car screams speed. The designers wanted to scare other drivers on the road.
Outside Design
The outside of the car has many cool parts:

- Doors open up like wings.
- Front end sits very low to the ground.
- Pop-up headlights hide during the day.
- Wide back end holds huge tires.
- Air holes feed the hungry engine.
- Sharp edges cut through the wind.
- Paint jobs come in bright colors.
- Side mirrors are tiny but work well.
- No door handles stick out.
- Windows are dark and small.
- Exhaust pipes sound like thunder.
- Body is made of light plastic.
Inside the Car
The inside is built for racing:

- Two seats only.
- Everything points at the driver.
- Leather covers most surfaces.
- Gauges glow green at night.
- Gear stick sits between seats.
- Pedals are close together.
- Seat belts are racing style.
- No cup holders anywhere.
- Radio is small and basic.
- Air conditioning barely works.
- Storage space does not exist.
- Getting in requires yoga skills.
The Heart – V12 Engine
The Lamborghini Diablo has a monster engine. This V12 makes more noise than a jet plane. The power will pin you to your seat.
Engine Details
This engine is a work of art:
- 12 cylinders in V shape.
- 5.7 liters of pure power.
- Makes 485 to 550 horsepower.
- Weighs as much as a small car.
- Drinks gas like a drunk sailor.
- Sounds like angry thunder.
- Red line at 7000 RPM.
- No turbo needed.
- Each cylinder fires perfectly.
- Timing must be exact.
- Oil changes cost big money.
- Tune-ups need experts only.
How Fast It Goes
The speed numbers are scary:
- 0 to 60 mph in 4 seconds.
- Top speed over 200 mph.
- Quarter mile in 12 seconds.
- Brakes stop from 60 mph in 120 feet.
- Corners like it is on rails.
- Steering is heavy but precise.
- Clutch needs strong left leg.
- Gear changes are slow but fun.
- Highway cruising at 80 feels slow.
- Track days show its true colors.
- Racing drivers love this car.
- Street driving needs care.
Size and Weight Facts
The Lamborghini Diablo is not a small car. It takes up space like a small truck. But it weighs less than most cars.
Size Specifications
Dimension | Measurement | Notes |
Length | 175 .6 inches | Takes up significant space |
Width | 80.3 inches | Needs wide parking spots |
Height | 43.5 inches | Sits lower than most sports cars |
Wheelbase | 104.3 inches | Distance between front and rear axles |
Ground Clearance | Minimal | Barely exists |
- Won’t fit in small garages.
- Needs wide parking spots.
- Highway bridges feel close.
- Speed bumps are enemies.
- Steep driveways cause problems.
- Loading ramps need care.
How Much It Weighs
Weight affects how it drives:
- Curb weight is 3600 pounds.
- Engine weighs 600 pounds.
- More weight sits over rear wheels.
- Balance helps in corners.
- Lighter than most SUVs today.
- Heavier than race cars.
- Weight comes from steel frame.
- Body panels are very light.
- Interior parts add little weight.
- Fuel tank holds 21 gallons.
- Full tank adds 150 pounds.
- Driver weight matters for balance.
Special Features That Make It Different
The Lamborghini Diablo has many cool things. These parts make it special compared to other cars. No other car does things the same way.
New Technology for 1990
The car had modern features:
- All-wheel drive on some models.
- Computer controls the engine.
- Power steering helps at low speeds.
- Anti-lock brakes prevent skids.
- Air bags protect in crashes.
- Electric windows go up and down.
- Mirrors adjust with buttons.
- Lights turn on by themselves.
- Wipers have many speeds.
- Horn sounds like a truck.
- Alarm system scares thieves.
- Immobilizer stops car thieves.
Air Flow Design
Smart design helps the car go fast:
- Air flows under the car smoothly.
- Holes in front cool the brakes.
- Side scoops feed the engine air.
- Rear spoiler pushes car down.
- Smooth bottom reduces drag.
- Every curve has a purpose.
- Wind tunnel testing made it better.
- High speeds feel stable.
- Down force keeps tires on road.
- Cooling system works hard.
- Hot air exits through vents.
- Design looks good and works well.
Different Types of Diablo
Lamborghini made many versions of the Diablo. Each one was special in its own way. Some were faster. Others looked different.
Regular Models
The main cars people could buy:
- Standard Diablo came first in 1990.
- VT model had all wheel drive.
- Roadster had no roof.
- VT Roadster mixed both features.
- SV version was lighter and faster.
- GT model was track ready.
- Each year brought small changes.
- Colors changed every year.
- Interior options grew over time.
- Engines got more power.
- Handling improved each year.
- Quality got better with time.
Rare Special Editions
Some cars were extra special:
- SE30 celebrated 30 years of Lamborghini.
- Jota was the fastest version ever.
- SV-R was built for racing.
- Only a few dozen were made.
- Collectors pay huge money for these.
- Most sit in climate controlled garages.
- Values go up every year.
- Finding one for sale is hard.
- Prices start at half a million.
- Perfect ones cost even more.
- Fake ones exist in the market.
- Experts can spot the real ones.
Fighting Other Supercars
The Lamborghini Diablo had to beat other fast cars. Ferrari, McLaren, and Porsche all made supercars too. Each brand tried to be the best.
Main Competitors
Other companies made these rivals:
- Ferrari F40 was lighter but fragile.
- McLaren F1 was faster but cost more.
- Porsche 959 had better technology.
- Jaguar XJ220 looked smooth.
- Bugatti EB110 had four turbos.
- Cizeta V16T had a bigger engine.
- Vector W8 came from America.
- Each car had strong points.
- None looked as mean as Diablo.
- Price wars helped buyers.
- Magazine tests compared them all.
- Track records mattered most.
What Made Diablo Special
The Diablo won in some important ways:
- Looks scared other drivers.
- Sound was louder than others.
- Doors opened in a cool way.
- Italian style beat German engineering.
- Reliability improved over the years.
- Parts were easier to find.
- Mechanics learned to fix them.
- Insurance costs were reasonable.
- Resale values stayed strong.
- Car shows loved them.
- Movies used them as props.
- Kids put posters on bedroom walls.
Living with a Diablo
Owning a Lamborghini Diablo is not easy. These cars need lots of care. They break down often. Fixing them costs big money.
Taking Care of It
Maintenance is a full time job:
- Oil changes every 3000 miles.
- Tune ups cost thousands of dollars.
- Finding good mechanics is hard.
- Parts take weeks to arrive.
- Labor rates are very high.
- Timing belt service is critical.
- Clutch replacement costs big money.
- Brake pads wear out fast.
- Tires last only 10000 miles.
- Insurance rates are scary high.
- Garages must be climate controlled.
- Driving in rain is not smart.
What Driving Feels Like
Behind the wheel is pure terror and joy:
- Engine shakes the whole car.
- Clutch pedal needs gym muscles.
- Steering has no power assist.
- Brakes grab hard and fast.
- Seats hurt after one hour.
- Visibility is very poor.
- Getting in and out hurts.
- Parking needs three people.
- Highway driving is exhausting.
- Track driving is pure heaven.
- Other drivers always stare.
- Police attention comes free.
Money and Value
Lamborghini Diablo prices keep going up. Good ones cost more each year. Perfect ones are worth crazy money now.
Current Market Prices
Here is what they cost today:
- Rough ones start at 150 thousand.
- Nice ones cost 250 thousand.
- Perfect ones reach 400 thousand.
- Rare models cost 500 thousand plus.
- Prices doubled in ten years.
- Values keep climbing higher.
- Collectors are hoarding them.
- Young buyers cannot afford them.
- Auction results shock everyone.
- Investment returns beat stocks.
- Insurance values lag behind.
- Agreed value policies work best.
Smart Buying Tips
Buyers need to be very careful:
- Inspect everything before buying.
- Service records are worth gold.
- Original parts add big value.
- Modified cars are worth less.
- Accident history kills value.
- Mileage matters but not most.
- Storage conditions show wear.
- Expert inspections save money.
- Carfax reports miss many things.
- Seller stories are often lies.
- Cash talks louder than loans.
- Patience finds better deals.
Conclusion
The Lamborghini Diablo changed supercars forever. It mixed Italian style with real speed. The V12 engine sounds like nothing else. Driving one is scary and exciting at the same time. Values keep going up as fewer good ones remain. This car will always be special to car lovers. The Diablo proves that sometimes the devil has the best rides.