Eccentrica’s Lamborghini restomod uses titanium Additive Manufacturing
July 27, 2023
The Diablo Eccentrica, a restomod based on one of Lamborghini’s most iconic models, the 1990s Diablo, was recently unveiled at an exclusive event at Garage 21 in Milan, Italy. The company, founded by Emanuel Colombini, utilised titanium Additive Manufacturing in an effort to ensure the vehicle’s lightness, rigidity, and precise build without sacrificing aesthetics.
“The Diablo was my dream car as a kid, I remember it shiny and red on the cover of Quattroruote. At the time, it was the supercar that broke all speed records! These memories and emotions came back again when I saw it again about ten years ago in a dealership, almost forgotten but charming and gritty as ever. As we went over its design and aesthetics, we realised the potential that this model could have if only we updated the lines and improved those ‘flaws’ – for lack of a better term – of the double Gandini & Chrysler management,” shared Emanuel Colombini.
“Then, I had the opportunity to test a Diablo Gt which I then added to my collection and that’s when I realised that a Diablo made usable with today’s mechanics and components could be a one-of-a-kind car with unparalleled driving dynamics – I called it, and still do, a 600hp go-kart. If you add to the mix its timeless and specific design combined with a 5700cc naturally aspirated V12 engine, there was no way we weren’t getting a masterpiece.’”
The project involves taking a ‘donor car’ – specifically a first series Diablo – and reconstructing it using modern components and techniques. The goal is to create a car with advanced technical features and high-quality finishes while maintaining the character of the original vehicle.
The vehicle’s grill features a three-dimensional form and a new design in order to optimise airflow, transforming a part that was merely decorative into an integral part of the project that contributes to both the functionality and aesthetic of the car. Additive Manufacturing allows for the inclusion of elements in a more integrated way; the Eccentrica logo was directly formed inside the grill and the lights of the license plate emerge from the grill when inserted into the housing.
After completing technical development, the Diablo Eccentrica will reportedly be a street-legal vehicle also suitable for racing. In virtual simulations, the vehicle performed like a real hypercar, with acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds, a top speed of 335 km/h, and a lateral acceleration in curves of 1.2 g.
The original 5.7 litre V12 engine has undergone modifications that include new valves and camshafts. These changes have resulted in slight increases in maximum power (550 HP at 7,000 rpm) and maximum torque (600 Nm at 6,500 rpm). To complement this intervention, composite materials such as carbon fiber and additively manufactured titanium have been used, reducing the overall weight of the vehicle while improving its rigidity, with the goal of achieving a weight-to-power ratio of less than 2.9 kg/HP. In addition, the steel tubular chassis has reportedly been reinforced and strengthened to improve vehicle stability and safety.
Eccentrica has stated that each of the Diablos it produces will be unique due to variations in paint, upholstery fabrics, and materials. It takes between sixteen and eighteen months to build each one, and they cost €1.2 million on top of the price of the donor car.
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