www.QV500.com - Lamborghini Diablo Part 5: Diablo SE30
 

1993 marked Lamborghini’s 30th anniversary as a motor manufacturer and to celebrate, the firm released a limited edition Diablo. The SE30 was launched at the factory in September 1993 but this was more than some dressed up standard model with fancy paint and a bodykit. Initially conceived as the homologation basis for a GT racer, a competition variant never actually materialised, but Lamborghini still went ahead and built a batch of 150 SE30's. Buyers could also have their cars uprated to full-house Jota specification where the already souped 525bhp motor was tuned to an incredible 595bhp!
   
Although unassisted steering was retained along with fixed suspension, extensive changes were made to the existing rear drive Diablo, the emphasis being on shedding pounds and increasing performance. New to the SE30 was a traction control system that enabled drivers to select the most suitable setting for conditions, one-piece OZ Racing magnesium wheels having been of 18-inch diameter at the rear and 17-inches at the front. Perforated brake discs increased stopping capability, overall weight dropping to 1451kg compared to 1576 and 1625kg for the standard Diablo and VT respectively. Despite capacity remaining unchanged at 5707cc, the 30th Anniversary produced 33bhp more than its sisters with 525bhp at 7000rpm. This jump was thanks to a reprogrammed LIE engine management system and free-flow sports exhaust. Compression went unaltered at 10.0:1. Weight of the engine itself was lowered by using magnesium intake manifolds and cylinder heads, all of which contributed to the SE30 posting the fastest performance figures yet for a Diablo - 207mph flat out and 0-60 in four seconds dead. Outside the SE30 also got a number of distinctive features that marked it out as something a little bit special. A more aggressive stance was achieved thanks to bigger rear wheels, the weight-saving continuing with redesigned carbon fibre skirts, bumpers, front lids and engine covers.
 
The front bumper with its deep chin spoiler had intake grilles mounted inside the supplementary driving lights and the Lamborghini badge repositioned from the front lid down to in-between the indicators. There were also lightweight two-piece door windows, twin blade engine intakes between the wheels and an external fuel filler. A distinctive slatted engine cover mimicked that of the Miura, other distinguishing features including an all new lightweight rear wing that came fitted as standard. Identifiable by the drooping corners and adjustable Gurney flap, only a handful of SE30's were built without the aerofoil.
   

At the back, a new grille was embossed with a chrome logo and 30th Anniversary scripting, a reprofiled bumper capping the changes. Optionally, customers could have their cars equipped with the Jota engine cover complete with two distinctive engine cooling scoops. Inside, the air-conditioning and electric windows were junked, leather typically being exchanged for suede alcantara and used on the carbon fibre bucket seats, dash and central console. Four-point harnesses kept occupants firmly in their seats, the drilled aluminium pedals, cockpit-adjustable roll bars, extensive use of carbon fibre and white-backed dials in a VT binnacle all adding to the mix. An automatic fire extinguishing system was plumbed into the engine bay and could be operated via a dash mounted switch, another neat feature having been the retro steering wheel with its vintage horn push. Launched during September 1993, the first deliveries weren't actually made until June ’94, the last car rolling out of the factory in November 1995. Although 150 SE30's were built, 28 were completed to the 595bhp Jota spec covered in Part 6.