Monogram 1/24 Lamborghini Diablo VT, previewed by Scott Van Aken

The Lamborghini Diablo is a high-performance mid-engined sports car that was built by Italian automaker Lamborghini between 1990 and 2001. It was the first Lamborghini capable of attaining a top speed in excess of 200 miles per hour (320 km/h). After the end of its production run in 2001, the Diablo was replaced by the Lamborghini Murciélago. Diablo is "devil" in Spanish, which is diavolo in Italian.

The Diablo VT was introduced in 1993. Although the VT differed from the standard Diablo in a number of ways, by far the most notable change was the addition of all wheel drive, which made use of a viscous center differential (a remodified version of LM002's 4WD system). This provided the new nomenclature for the car (VT stands for viscous traction). The new drivetrain could direct up to 25% of the torque to the front wheels to aid traction during rear wheel slip, thus significantly improving the handling characteristics of the car.

Other improvements debuting on the VT included front air intakes below the driving lamps to improve brake cooling, larger intakes in the rear arches, a more ergonomic interior with a revised dashboard, electronically adjustable dampers, four-piston brake calipers, power steering, and minor engine refinements. Many of these improvements, save the four-wheel drive system, soon transferred to the base Diablo, making the cars visually nearly identical.

This kit was reissued as part of the December releases so hit the stores last month. I am going to guess that the original date of the kit is in the early 1990s. The kit itself has engine detail so it not technically a curb side, but that detail is quite simplified. Basically, most of the engine is chrome with just a few pieces in standard plastic. Most modelers will want to strip this chrome and probably the rest of the chrome sprue as these cars have very little. It also helps to deal with the sprue attachment joins and any seams. Most of these chrome parts will look a ton better in aluminum.

In terms of parts counts, it is rather minimalist. There is a lower pan that includes the bottom half of the suspension and the lower half of the brake discs. For the upper section, it has the floor as well as the rear engine mount/suspension that includes the upper section of the brake discs. These are simply joined together once painted. The front axle is plastic and is trapped between the brake pieces while the rear axle stubs are molded on the lower pan section.

One then builds up all the rest of the interior, engine and suspension bits to the chassis. This includes the front and rear fender wells and the engine bay. The one-piece body is quite nicely molded and it will be possible to paint the entire body prior to attaching it over the chassis. There is an opening engine lid to deal with and a lower rear tray that has to be glued on once the body is attached to the chassis. The windows are all a single piece that is installed prior to attaching the body. Tail lights are red plastic. THe four vinyl tires are nicely molded with the seam down in a rain groove so should be pretty well out of view.

Instructions are large with big drawings. Two of the 12 pages of the instructions are taken up by a piece by piece description of the individual parts. Generic painting information is provided. Decals are for the instruments and console with three license options from Florida, Illinois, and California. Illinois requires two plates on a car, but only one is provided. I am pretty sure the same is true of California as I needed two plates when I lived there. An interesting thing about the dash decal is that you have a choice between black and white instrument faces.

This will be a nice kit for those with a few car kits under their belt. It is designated a level 2 and that seems about right. It is also lower priced than new releases as are pretty much all of the Revell-Monogram reissues.

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KIT #:	85-0889
PRICE:	$16.95 SRP
DECALS:	Instruments and three plate options
REVIEWER:	Scott Van Aken
NOTES:	2011 reissue