Performance Review: Lamborghini Diablo VT 5.7 V12 - [1993]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Lamborghini Diablo Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Lamborghini Diablo VT 5.7 V12 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1993. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1994 McLaren F1 6.1 V12 and the 1993 Jaguar XJ 220 S 3.5 V6 Turbo.This particular Lamborghini Diablo has a 5707cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 12 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V12's includes the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12

The Diablo shares its Petrol V12 engine configuration with the likes of the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12 and the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Diablo's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1625 kgs (3582 lbs) this makes the Lamborghini Diablo VT 5.7 V12 in the same weight category as the 2022 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo ALL4 or the give or take 50kg.

The Lamborghini Diablo shares the same bhp with the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (500 bhp)

In terms of power the 5707cc 48V V12 engine produces 492 bhp (366 kW) @ 7000 rpm similar to the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (500 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V12 throws out 428 lb-ft (580.2 Nm) @ 5200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (443 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Lamborghini Diablo you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2019 Porsche Taycan Turbo S (327.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lamborghini Diablo.

The Lamborghini Diablo has a Power to weight ratio of 302.7 bhp per ton and 263.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1993 Diablo competing with the 2019 Porsche Taycan Turbo S (327.2 bhp per ton) or the 2013 Porsche 911 GT3 3.8 991 (327.2 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Lamborghini Diablo generating around 263.3 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2006 Porsche 911 Turbo 997 (288.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 Alfa-Romeo 4C 1.8 Turbo (288.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.3 secs, this made the Lamborghini Diablo VT 5.7 V12 as fast as the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Ti 2.0 Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 5.7 V8 370 (5.10 secs) the or the 2017 Audi A6 3.0T Competition (5.10 secs). This Lamborghini Diablo VT 5.7 V12 is also faster than the 2021 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Limited Edition (5.20 secs) the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (5.20 secs) the 2018 BMW X7 xDrive 50i 4.4 V8 Turbo (5.20 secs) the and the 2018 Tesla Model 3 Mid Range (5.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Diablo and the 1998 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 996

When talking about the performance of the Lamborghini Diablo on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.15 secs @ 112.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1998 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 996 (12.11 secs), the 1974 Maserati Bora 4.9 V8 (12.11 secs), and the 2013 Jaguar F Type S 3.0 V6 (12.11 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1993 version of the Lamborghini Diablo VT 5.7 V12 has a maximum speed of 203mph.

Top Speed of the 1993 Diablo equals the 2005 Pagani Zonda F (214 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1993 Lamborghini Diablo VT 5.7 V12 then how about the 2005 Pagani Zonda F (214 mph), the 2006 Ascari A10 5.0 V8 (215 mph), or the 2017 Ford GT 3.5 V6 Bi-Turbo (216 mph).

Related Links:

1993 Diablo Rivals List.

A Brief History of Lamborghini

Car Comparison