The Lamborghini Diablo was the flagship car offered by Lamborghini from the 1990s to 2001. The Diablo is remembered as the first Lamborghini to break 200 mph, and buying one today would likely cost you over $300,000.

The term “supercar” tends to be thrown around more often than it should be nowadays, but when it comes to a Lamborghini it is the only accurate description. As the Lambo of the 1990s, the Lamborghini Diablo’s eleven-year run remains one of the best we’ve seen from the iconic company.

If you’re itching to learn about the Lamborghini Diablo, we have you covered. Here's everything you need to know about one of the greatest Lamborghinis ever.

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What made the Lamborghini Diablo special?

The 1990s were a time of advancement for automakers, and Lamborghini took advantage by innovating and elevating their cars like never before. The Diablo remains best remembered for its blistering speed, but it was also excellent at maintaining the brand’s unique style.

Engine

Under the hood of the original Lamborghini Diablo was a 5.7-liter V12 engine that generated 485 horsepower. This engine gave the Diablo all the power it needed to usher Lamborghini into a new era of performance.

The Lamborghini Diablo started going through some pretty significant changes as the twentieth century came to a close. By 2000, many of the cars instead came equipped with a 6.0-liter V12 engine.

Speed

How fast can it go? As simple as it might sound, that question has remained a top priority for anyone looking to buy a supercar like the Diablo. Luckily for buyers, the Diablo’s creators had the same question in mind.

The Lamborghini Diablo was the first Lamborghini to reach the celebrated 200 mph threshold. It accomplished a top speed of 202 mph thanks both to its state-of-the-art V12 engine as well as sleek body shape.

The Diablo combined that 200 mph capability with a 0 to 60 time of just 4.5 seconds when it launched, a mark that both excited fans and worried competitors.

Styling

Some cars from the 90s aren’t looked at favorably when it comes to style, since it was a transition period between classic and modern looks. Although the Diablo was certainly a key part of that evolution for Lamborghini as a whole, the car still looks phenomenal.

Taking much of its inspiration from its predecessors, the Lamborghini Countach, the Diablo oozes sleekness and looks as aerodynamic as it feels. Hidden headlights and a sloped front help to make the car scream refined rather than flashy.

Customization

There were some standard customization offerings available with the Lamborghini Diablo, such as a rear spoiler and the choice between a cassette or CD player to go along with the stereo system

One of the more fun options available for those buying a Lamborghini Diablos was custom seating made for their exact size.

Lamborghini Diablo VT: the end of the road

Although the Lamborghini Diablo continued to evolve successfully over the years, by 2001 the company decided it was time to shift its focus to the Murciélago.

The Lamborghini Diablo’s latest models, such as the VT 6.0, had gradually changed in appearance and, of course, saw an upgrade to the 6.0-liter displacement. These changes would help set the standard for Lamborghinis in the twentieth century.

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How much does the Lamborghini Diablo cost?

They cost a lot. That is, of course, the reason that Lamborghini

sold less than 3,000 Diablos

When Diablo first made its appearance in 1990, it cost buyers a little over $239,000 to get their hands on one. If you were to evaluate that price in today's dollars, it would be well over $400,000.

Since Diablo had a relatively long 11-year run with multiple variations in that time, most buyers spent well above that $239,000 mark. The starting price for a Lamborghini Diablo in the early 2000s was closer to $300,000.

The Lamborghini Diablo VT 6.0 SE, being the last of its kind, was the most expensive Lamborghini of its time and remains a difficult car to get your hands on today.

Used cost

Usually, people buy a used car to save money, so you’d think the same logic applies to Lamborghinis, right? It sort of does, although it’s a bit complicated.

For the most part, you’ll find that used Lamborghini Diablos cost more than they did when they were new. But if you account for inflation over the past 20 to 30 years, they are

a lot cheaper

than what they cost at the time.

With less than 3,000 Diablos in existence, it isn’t all that easy to find an average used price. But by looking through Diablos that are actually for sale on websites such as Classic Driver or Car Gurus, it’s easy enough to estimate.

A Lamborghini Diablo from the early 90s with around 30,000 to 50,000 miles on has a price in the $300,000 to 350,000 range. Special edition Diablos or later Diablo models with very little mileage could end up costing around $500,000 to $600,000.

As with many high-end classic cars, there are plenty of Lamborghini Diablos that are only available through auction.

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How much does it cost to insure a Lamborghini Diablo?

Lamborghinis cost a whole lot to buy, and that's not where the expenses end. People who invest in such an expensive car also tend to invest in significant insurance coverage, and the cost of that insurance can vary.

If you’re lucky, you’d pay around $6,000 to insure a Lamborghini Diablo. But depending on your driving record and what state you live in, that number could end up being much higher.

The main reason that car insurance for a Lamborghini Diablo costs so much is because of the

repair costs

if something is destroyed. Unlike with most other cars, where replacement part costs are in the hundreds, a minor Lamborghini accident can easily cost your insurer thousands.

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How does the Lamborghini Diablo compare to other models?

It’s pretty much impossible to compare a Lamborghini to any other car on the road, so it’s probably more helpful to compare the Diablo to other Lambos.

Here is a look at how the Diablo stacks up against some other Lamborghinis:

Vehicle	Body types	Engine	0 to 60	Top speed
Lamborghini Countach	Coupe	5.2 L V12 w/455 hp	4.7 seconds	183 mph
Lamborghini Diablo	Coupe or convertible	5.7 L V12 w/485 hp	4.5 seconds	202 mph
Lamborghini Murciélago	Coupe or convertible	6.2 L V12 w/572 hp	3.8 seconds	211 mph
Lamborghini Aventador	Coupe or convertible	6.5-liter V-12 w/759 hp	2.8 seconds	220 mph

The Lamborghini Diablo significantly outclasses its beloved predecessor, the Countach, while justifiably falling behind its replacement, the Murciélago. When compared to its modern equivalent, the Aventador, it holds up admirably.

Save up for a Lambo by cutting down on your car insurance costs

If you’re like most people, owning a Diablo or any other type of Lamborghini isn’t all that realistic. What is realistic is saving money on coverage for the car you already own, and you can accomplish exactly that when you download Jerry.

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