Guide: Second Gen. Sport Veloce - a Historical & Technical Appraisal of the Lamborghini Diablo SV (99 MY)
BACKGROUND
During a famous 1998 spree, Volkswagen Audi Group Chairman, Ferdinand Piech, added a trio of high end marques to the German mega Corp’s already impressive portfolio of motor manufacturing brands.
First came the acquisition of Automobili Lamborghini which was rubber stamped on July 10th. 18 days later, the Volkswagen Audi Group (VAG) picked up Bentley Motors, after which Bugatti Automobiles joined the fray on December 22nd.
Lamborghini’s transfer to German ownership came following four-and-a-half years in the care of Megatech, a Bermuda-registered holding company for Malaysian investment group, Mycom Setdco, and Indonesian group, V Power Corporation. Unfortunately though, while this Indo-Malaysian alliance steadied the Lamborghini ship during a period of quite tough economic times, the owners did not have the funds required to expand beyond a single-model line-up.
That all changed when Lamborghini became part of VAG in 1998; Volkswagen Audi immediately set about creating a suitable successor to the nearly ten-year old Diablo, in addition to which work began on a new V10-powered junior model.
The launch of what ultimately became known as the Murcielago and Gallardo would have to wait until 2001 and 2003 respectively, but before then, Lamborghini unveiled a pair of heavily revised stop-gap Diablos at the Paris Motor Show in October 1998.
Launched for the 1999 model year, these latest iterations of the Diablo VT and SV may have appeared broadly similar to their forebears, but they were actually the result of a two-year development programme to improve safety, ergonomics and build quality. With this in mind, the ‘99 Model Year variants most notably featured new interiors, updated brake software, a stiffer structure and fixed glass covered headlights instead of the original retractable units.
Customers could order their ‘99 model year Diablo in either back-to-basics rear-drive SV trim or as a four-wheel drive VT, the latter of which (covered separately) was offered as a Coupe and Roadster while the more driver-focused SV came in fixed head trim only.
BODYWORK
The most radical external change adopted for the 1999 model year Diablo concerned the car’s headlights which were switched from the original pop-up style to fixed units sourced from the Nissan 300 ZX. These came mounted underneath clear glass covers and not only provided a brighter, broader and more consistent spread of light, they also saved weight and gave Marcello Gandini’s near ten-year old design a new lease of life. Some commentators even thought the ‘99 model year variants were the best looking Diablos yet.
Another new detail was found at the back where a simplified and enlarged tail fascia grille was installed between the light units. To this, a chrome Lamborghini emblem was added along with an SV script in the right-hand corner.
The rest of the body parts that differentiated the SV from the VT were carried over from the original Sport Veloce launched back in early 1995.
Up front was an SV-specific bumper assembly with single spot lamps per side, inboard and underneath which were special air intakes accessorised with satin black accents.
SE30-derived features used on the SV included the Jota-style twin-scoop engine cover, an exposed aluminium fuel filler cap and a rear bumper with integrated fog and reverse lights.
Down each flank, the intakes ahead of each rear wheelarch were bereft of any internal blades.
Body panels were formed entirely from aluminium with the exception of the engine cover, front lid, bumpers and sills which were fashioned from carbonfibre.
INTERIOR
Although the new headlight arrangement was arguably the most striking change implemented to the Diablo for 1999, even more significant changes were made inside where a completely new dash assembly was added.
The existing arrangement where a hooded binnacle had been mounted atop the dramatically sloped dash was replaced with a sweeping new full width arrangement that saw the dials moved closer to the driver. Significantly, this set-up also enabled Lamborghini to fit a passenger-side airbag for the first time.
Also new were electronically-controlled black-faced gauges housed in a satin black fascia to replace the white-faced originals. Directly behind the four-spoke airbag steering wheel were large read outs for road and engine speed, in between which was a small water temperature dial. More small read outs for oil pressure, oil temperature and fuel along with a clock were located off to the sides. Myriad warning lights were now housed in a slim contoured channel located above the primary fascia.
In addition to the dash, the central control panel was also cleaned up and fitted with redesigned switchgear along with an updated audio system.
For most markets, alcantara suede was used to upholster the dash, instrument binnacle, centre console, seats, rear bulkhead and door panels. Sound-proofing was also reduced.
For some markets (such as the United States) full leather was used throughout.
Electric windows, electric mirrors, air-conditioning and a high end Alpine audio system were fitted as standard.
CHASSIS
The SV was based on Lamborghini’s rear-drive Diablo platform which meant it did without the heavy four-wheel drive system and electronic Koni dampers fitted to the VT (although the latter could be installed as an optional extra as had been the case since the 1998 model year).
The chassis comprised a square-tubed steel spaceframe reinforced around the cockpit with carbonfibre inserts and high strength alloys. The wheelbase measured 2670mm. As a consequence of various tweaks to the main structure, rigidity was said to have been enhanced by around 15% for these updated 1999 variants.
Suspension was via independent double wishbones with single coil sprung dampers at the front and two dampers per side at the back. Anti-roll bars were fitted at either end. The front axle incorporated anti-dive electronics.
The brake system was imported direct from the 1998 model year SV. It featured cross-drilled and ventilated Brembo discs of 355mm diameter (front) and 335mm (rear). Four-piston aluminium alloy Brembo calipers were installed at each corner.
Two new features for 1999 were latest generation Kelsey Hays ABS software and a Dynamic Rear Proportioning system that minimised the tail’s tendency to snake under heavy braking.
As per the ‘98 model year SV, 18-inch three-piece OZ alloy wheels with black centres were fitted all round (8.5-inches wide front and 13-inches wide rear). These were shod with Pirelli P Zero tyres (235/35 ZR18 and 335/30 ZR18 respectively).
Once again, a single 100-litre fuel tank was located on the right-hand side of the engine bay up against the rear bulkhead.
ENGINE / TRANSMISSION
In the ‘99 model year SV’s engine bay was the same uprated motor that had appeared for the 1998 variant. Compared to earlier iterations of Diablo motor, this latest incarnation had ushered in a new variable valve timing system that enabled the engine to use different camshaft profiles at low and high revs to both reduce emissions and increase power. Importantly, the addition of variable valve timing had enabled Lamborghini to sell the SV in the USA for the first time.
Peak output went up to 530bhp at 7100rpm and 446lb-ft at 5500rpm compared to 510bhp at 7100rpm and 428lb-ft at 5900rpm for the pre-’98 version.
Like the legendary Diablo SE30, the SV came with custom mapped LIE digital multi-point fuel-injection and a free-flow sports exhaust. However, the SV did not receive the SE30’s expensive magnesium cylinder heads or intake manifolds.
Otherwise, the rest of the SV’s engine specification was much the same as every other Diablo thus far; it featured an all-alloy construction with dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, dry-sump lubrication, three-way catalytic converters and a 10.0:1 compression ratio.
Displacement came in at 5709cc thanks to a bore and stroke of 87mm and 80mm respectively.
Transmission was via a five-speed gearbox with shorter ratios than the VT, a dry single-plate clutch, a ZF final drive and limited-slip differential.
OPTIONS
Lamborghini offered the 1999 model year Diablo SV with a large range of optional extras to include a body coloured or exposed carbonfibre rear spoiler, SV side decals, chrome-finish wheels, wheels with silver or body coloured centres, SE30-style wheels, SE30 side intake blades, SE30 carbonfibre door panels, carbonfibre engine bay panels, a front axle lifter, the VT’s four-way electronically-adjustable Koni dampers, a VT Roadster rear bumper, full leather upholstery in either mono or two-tone, dual leather and alcantara upholstery, contrast seat piping, contrast stitching, coloured instrument faces, four-point harnesses, an SV logo embroidered into the headrests, a sports exhaust and a set of leather fitted luggage.
WEIGHT / PERFORMANCE
In its transition to 1999 trim, the Diablo SV shed 46kg which took overall weight from 1576kg down to 1530kg.
Top speed was 209mph (up from 204mph for the original 510bhp SV) while the 0-62mph time was officially unchanged at 3.8 seconds.
PRODUCTION CHANGES
Mid way through production the colour of the engine script was changed from red to dark blue.
END OF PRODUCTION
Despite having been widely acknowledged as the best Diablo yet, only 85 examples of the ‘99 model year SV are understood to have been completed by the time production was discontinued during early 2000. Of these, 25 were dispatched to the USA and nine were right-hand drive.
Lamborghini subsequently went on to introduce an even more hardcore Diablo at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1999 (the six-litre Diablo GT), but it would be another ten years until the SV moniker returned to the fray (on the 2009 Murcielago LP670-4).
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Lamborghini - https://www.lamborghini.com & Supercar Nostalgia
