Finally in 1993, after 3 years of the 2WD Diablo production, Automobili Lamborghini SpA presented
the next step in Italian super cars, the Diablo VT, a four-wheel drive evolution of the Diablo,
well not exactly, the VT stood for 'Viscous Traction',
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and meant that part of the power could be moved to the front wheels,
when the rear ones lost their grip.
But that wasn't the only difference between the Diablo and the Diablo VT,
the latter became much more refined than the earlier 2 Wheel Drive version, the air circulation within the passenger's
compartment was modified to have the standard air conditioning perform better.
The VT had power-steering standard and used electronically adjustable Koni shock absorbers,
with four settings chosen either manually or by the computer.
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Because of the power transfer to the front wheels (maximum 25%), the front tires
had to be made smaller, now 235/40 ZR 17 Pirelli P Zero's were mounted instead
of the 245's on the standard Diablo, the rear tires remained the massive 335/35 ZR 17 ones as used on the
two-wheel drive version.
The main exterior difference between the Diablo and the VT version were the air intakes
underneath the front warning lights to improve the brake cooling, and the larger
air intakes in front of the rear wheels, although these modifications later found their way to the Diablo 2wd too,
making the exterior difference between them only noticable by the rear mounted 'VT' logo.
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On the VT the exterior rear view mirrors were finished in the body color,
but these modifications would also appear on the 'normal' Diablo according
to Automobili Lamborghini SpA, although it was rumored in 1994 that the two-wheel drive
Diablo production would be halted in favor of the VT type, fortunately this didn't happen
until late 1998, when another evolution of the Diablo was presented.
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On the inside the Diablo VT got a redesigned dashboard, the big block in the 'old' Diablo
was removed and a smaller, more refined one was used for the VT, but in the latter it
was fixed, while in the early Diablo's it could be adjusted in height, when using the necessary
tools.
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Less well visible changes included the engine, on the Diablo VT it became surrounded by a carbon
fibre case placed in the engine compartment, also the entire appearance of
the engine was made neater with the cover over the manifolds.
The timing system was improved to reduce the noise and the engine was kept
cooler by redesigning the air intakes.
The brakes on the VT were also upgraded, to four piston Brembo units instead of the earlier
two-piston units.
The Diablo VT was easier to handle, the 'normal' Diablo suffered from oversteer
when cornering at its limit, but on the VT the steering became much more neutral,
less demanding.
Some early publications stated the rear wing was a way to spot the VT version next
to the standard Diablo, but it was still an option on both types, and a very expensive
one too, other options included a factory fitted luggage set and an upgraded Alpine
stereo system with a remote compact disc changer.
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