1999 Lamborghini Diablo GT
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.
In Detail
| submitted by | Richard Owen |
| price $ | $309 000 USD |
| engine | Aluminum Alloy, 60 Degree V12 |
| position | Mid Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Natural |
| valvetrain | DOHC 4 Valves per Cyl w/Variable Valve Timing |
| fuel feed | Lamborghini LIE Multipoint Injection |
| displacement | 5992 cc / 365.7 in³ |
| bore | 87.0 mm / 3.43 in |
| stroke | 84.0 mm / 3.31 in |
| compression | 10.7:1 |
| power | 428.8 kw / 575.0 bhp @ 7300 rpm |
| specific output | 95.96 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | bhp per tonne |
| torque | 630.5 nm / 465.0 ft lbs @ 5500 rpm |
| body / frame | Carbon Fibre & Fibreglass Reinforced Plastic Parts Over Steel Tube Frame |
| driven wheels | Mid Engine / RWD |
| wheel type | O.Z. Racing 3-Piece |
| front tires | 245/35ZR-18 Pirelli P Zero |
| rear tires | 335/30ZR-18 Pirelli P Zero |
| front brakes | Brembro Vented & Cross Drilled Discs w/4-Pot Calipers, Servo Assist, ABS |
| f brake size | x 355 mm / x 14.0 in |
| rear brakes | Brembro Vented & Cross Drilled Discs w/4-Pot Calipers, Servo Assist, ABS |
| r brake size | x 335 mm / x 13.2 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 |
| steering | Rack & Pinion w/Variable Power Assist |
| f suspension | Unequal Control Arms w/Anti-Roll Bar, Coil Shocks |
| r suspension | Unequal Control Arms w/Anti-Roll Bar, Dual Coil Shocks |
| curb weight | 1460 kg / 3219 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2650 mm / 104.3 in |
| front track | 1610 mm / 63.4 in |
| rear track | 1670 mm / 65.7 in |
| length | 4430 mm / 174.4 in |
| width | 2040 mm / 80.3 in |
| height | 1115 mm / 43.9 in |
| transmission | 5-Speed Manual |
| gear ratios | 2.31:1, 1.52:1, 1.12:1, 0.88:1, 0.68:1, :1 |
| final drive | 2.41:1 |
| top speed | ~346.0 kph / 215 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~3.6 seconds |
| 0 – 100 mph | ~8.0 seconds |
| 0 – 1/4 mile | ~11.6 seconds |
Auction Results
1999 Lamborghini Diablo GT ZA9DE21AOXLA12381 – sold for $550,000. One of very few Diablo GTs to have been imported and registered in the USA. This car shows only 1,623 kilometers. It was in a very significant, private Colorado collection from 2003 until the consignor purchased it in 2012, at which time it showed 1,070 kilometers. While in his care, the car was transported to Dubai for display at car shows and other events. Recently, this Lamborghini was given a test drive, inspection, and new spark plugs by the legendary Lamborghini Test Driver, Valentino Balboni. Auction Source: ‘Rolling Sculpture’ 2015 NYC by Keno Brothers
