What is the Lamborghini Diablo GTR?
If you look through the history of the legendary Lamborghini Diablo, you are going to see a lot of different versions. Lamborghini loves to refine and evolve models throughout their lifespan, which is why each Lamborghini model has such staying power. One Diablo model may garner a particular interest. It’s called the Diablo GTR, which is different than the Diablo GT. What is the Lamborghini Diablo GTR? Let’s find out!
Did Lamborghini ever make a racecar version of the Diablo?
Lamborghini actually made two racing versions of the Diablo. The first was based on the Diablo SV and was named the Diablo SV-R. It’s likely not a big surprise that the second racecar they built around the Diablo platform was the Diablo GTR which itself was based on the Diablo GT.
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Performance specs of the Diablo GTR
At this time, most racecars were rear-wheel drive, and though there were Diablo models with all-wheel drive available at this time, the Diablo GTR would maintain the rear-wheel-drive configuration of the Diablo GT model that it was based on.
For the most part, the Diablo GTR used the same engine as the Diablo GT, proving that its consumer engines were already up to the task of racing. However, they did make some refinements to better suit the class. These refinements included a bump in both power and torque of the 6.0-liter V12 from 589 to 598 horsepower and 465 to 472 pound-feet. Outside of that, the big changes were weight reduction modifications and modifications to make it race legal.
How many Diablo GTR models were built?
The run of Diablo GTR models was initially limited to 30, but when you are building a racecar, you always have to account for a little extra. These cars get wrecked after all, and they would need to be replaced. As such, 40 Diablo GTR models were actually built.
Did the Diablo GTR win any races?
Racing pedigree is not always what people come to Lamborghini for. They’ve always made a point of putting enthusiasts first, but when they do put together a race program, you can be sure that it is competitive. In fact, the Diablo GTR won two Australian Nations Cup Championships in 2003 and 2004. The GTR also managed an 8th place finish at the 2003 Bathurst 24-hour endurance race despite suffering multiple punctures.
