Models that are the last of the line often share the same fate. They tend to be garish, overwrought versions of the original idea. Think of the Pontiac Firebird which went from sporty muscle car to semi-batmobile or the Lotus Europa, a design hijacked to something most appropriate for Martian landing craft.
The Lamborghini Diablo is notable in that it actually became more restrained over time. Designed by Marcello Gandini, designer of the Countach and Bugatti EB110 among others, the Diablo bridges the gap for Lamborghini between the angular poster-star Countach and the fire breathing Murcielago. For ten years this V-12 mid-engine car kept the plant at Santa Agasta humming and AUTO art has made the Diablo one of its cornerstone model lines, producing multiple versions ending with the newly minted 6.0 version.
Over time the car refined its front clip, the original having a massive chin spoiler and the more recent dual air intakes. The rear too, is toned down with a standard light array and no wing. In between the car looks remarkably familiar – the louvered engine bonnet, the raked rocker panels and front end pocket luggage storage (for which the actual Diablo has custom made to fit luggage). The classic Lambo scissor doors fit quite snug on my review sample and wheels have a design reminiscent of the Countach that I have not seen on any other Diablo.
But in my best Jeremy Clarkson voice I must tell you, "there are problems."
While the yellow paint is beautifully applied, in places the trim is uncharacteristically sloppy – see the photo of the rear quarter window. The use of a tired mold rears its ugly head often. For example, yes, in the photos those are toothpicks holding up the fore and aft opening bits. The engine and interior are little changed from models made five years ago save a dash of faux carbon fiber.
So I’m of two minds on this model: if you own other AUTO art Diablo models (and I own a GT-R, an SV and a VT) and if you can live with the fit and finish, it will round out your selection as the cool and knowing girl of the group. As you can see it photographs well and from the right distance it's positively deluxe eye candy. If you don’t own a Diablo I wouldn’t start with this one. Get a GT-R in black because if you don’t have one you are inexplicably abstaining from perhaps the most wicked supercar model in the known universe. Then add this sculpted beauty; its warts will be less apparent and its refinement more impressive.
-Rusty Hurley
