www.QV500.com - Lamborghini Diablo Part 3: Diablo VT & VT Roadster
 
Built alongside the original Diablo from March 1993, the VT (Viscous Traction) was a new four-wheel drive version. Slightly more refined, the VT featured an advanced drive system that transferred excess power to the front wheels and provided the best possible traction in any given situation. Weighing in at 1625kg, a mere 49kg heavier than before, other set up changes included electronically adjustable Koni suspension with a choice of four alternative damper settings. This variable damping programme was combined with power assisted steering for the first time.
   

So impressive was this system that inputs simply became less demanding at low speeds without reducing sensitivity under faster driving conditions. Upgraded four piston Brembo brakes used lighter and more powerful calipers and benefitted from improved disc ventilation thanks to supplementary air ducts housed in the front spoiler. Engine-wise the VT was practically unchanged, the same 5.7-litre V12 producing 492bhp at 7000rpm. However, revisions to the timing system and a carbon surround for the engine compartment led to improved reliability and a reducion in noise. Barely noticeable were tweaks made to the bodywork, the VT’s new front spoiler featuring brake cooling ducts underneath the auxillary driving lights. There were also larger engine-intakes in front of each rear wheelarch and body colour-coded wing mirrors, both of which were adopted for the regular Diablo soon after. Otherwise, only VT scripting on the rear grille gave the game away. Inside, despite Chrysler having already redesigned the original Diablo’s cockpit once, yet more changes were evident with the VT's arrival.
 
Most significant was the more compact and far less obtrusive instrument binnacle that improved visibility and looked considerably better than before. There was also a tidier centre console and much-improved air conditioning system. Launched during March 1993 at the Geneva Salon, the VT was hailed by the motoring press as the finest Diablo yet. Lamborghini only made one major development to the car when, in 1995, the rear brake discs were enlarged to 310 x 28mm items. Much more significant though was the arrival of a new VT Roadster later that year.
   

36 months after 1992's stunning Roadster Prototype had been shelved, the VT Roadster debuted at the Bologna Salon in December 1995. The chassis was reinforced around the windscreen pillars, door gussets and engine bay, weight remaining miraculously unchanged at 1625kg. The same 492bhp 5.7-litre V12 once again saw service and instantly ensured the Roadster would become one of the worlds fastest open-topped supercars. Externally, although the Roadster was missing a roof, several less obvious detail alterations were also made. The front spoiler was completely redesigned to incorporate elements from both the original Diablo and Lamborghini's limited edition SE30. Gone were the VT’s additional brake cooling ducts while the four square supplementary driving lights were exchanged for a rectangular lens flanked by a circular pod. Alongside were mini brake cooling strakes again aping the SE30, this theme continuing to the side skirts where twin blades replaced the horizontal strakes of Diablo Berlinetta's. There were also gorgeous new three-piece OZ Racing five-hole light alloy wheels.
 
Undoubtedly the most significant revision, however, was to the rear deck as, when removed, the carbon targa roof panel had to be mounted over the engine cover. The entire back of the car was totally redesigned to accommodate it, Gandini’s ingenious electric solution having unfortunately been discarded for one reason or another. Roadster bumpers were also similar to SE30 items with distinctive central grilles and four oval exhaust outlets. Buyers could specify a rear wing, but with such a busy back half, Roadster's fitted with them look a little cluttered.
   
As you would expect, the interior was much the same as before although the seats now came trimmed in specially treated leather that could absorb direct sunlight. With a top speed of 197mph and an identical 0-60 time of 4.5 seconds, the VT Roadster was very much in demand, production continuing until late 1998, by which time we estimate that around 500 VT's and 200 VT Roadster's would have been completed. Both were replaced by Audi's re-worked 1999 model year cars. A handful of particularly interesting VT's were built during this time, three of which were dressed up to resemble SE30's while Zagato executed their Raptor concept on another. A fully operational concept car, the Raptor is covered seperately in Part 4. Often referred to as VTR's, the trio of SE30-style cars used standard VT underpinnings but looked identical to the SE30 save for their one-piece windows. With SE30 bumpers, engine covers and side intakes, all three used a unique combination of wheels and rear wings, one getting a standard unit, one an SE30 aerofoil and the last an SVR-style item.