Diablo SV (pre-facelift) & Diablo SV (1999 facelift)

Debuting at the 1995 Geneva Motor Show, the Diablo SV breathed new life into the Super Veloce legacy, a title first embraced by the Miura SV. While it retains the foundational features of the standard Diablo, the SV variant ditches the four-wheel drive system present in the VT model. A highlight of the SV lies in its amplified power output, registering at 517 PS (380 kW; 510 hp) at 7,100 rpm, and a substantial 580 N⋅m (428 lbf⋅ft) of torque at 5,900 rpm. This robust performance, coupled with the two-wheel drive setup, adds a touch of excitement by increasing the potential for traction loss during aggressive driving. Surprisingly, despite its heightened power, the SV enters the Diablo lineup as the entry-level model, slotting in just beneath the standard Diablo.

Standard equipment includes an adjustable rear spoiler that can match the car’s body color or be fashioned from lightweight carbon fiber. Changes to the exterior encompass black tail lamp surrounds, relocated rear fog and reverse lamps akin to the SE30, and dual front fog lamps replacing the quad-style of previous models. Additional front brake cooling ducts, a resemblance to the engine lid found on the Diablo SE30 Jota, and optional “SV” decals for the car’s sides round off the exterior transformations. The SV also incorporates a larger diameter for the front brakes (340 mm or 13.4 inches) and correspondingly augmented front wheel size, now at 18 inches.

In 1999, the Diablo underwent a mid-cycle facelift, streamlining its model range and instituting comprehensive updates across the lineup. A significant change was the discontinuation of the “base” Diablo model, given the ascendancy of the SV as the new entry-level trim. This overhaul yielded a visual transformation, with the pop-up headlamp units of the previous Diablo making way for fixed composite lenses licensed from their original application in the Nissan 300ZX (Z32). Across all models, new 18-inch wheels added a fresh aesthetic touch.

The engine’s power output experienced a boost to 536 PS (394 kW; 529 hp) and 605 N⋅m (446 lb⋅ft) of torque for both the SV and VT models. A noteworthy addition was variable valve timing, marking the first instance of its presence in a Lamborghini. Breaking new ground for the brand, the Diablo was outfitted with a Kelsey-Hayes ABS system, complemented by larger diameter brake rotors for enhanced stopping power.