The Lamborghini Jalpa ( Spanish pronunciation: [ˈxalpa] ) is a sports car produced by the Italian automotive manufacturer Lamborghini from 1981 until 1988. It debuted at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show alongside the Lamborghini LM001 concept off-road vehicle . The Jalpa was the last Lamborghini to use a V8 engine until the Urus SUV in 2018.
7-573: The Jalpa was a development of the earlier Silhouette intended to fill a role as a more "affordable" Lamborghini, being much less expensive than the flagship Countach and being also designed by Bertone . Compared to the Countach, the Jalpa was much easier to drive, having better visibility and being more tractable in heavy traffic and at slow speeds, although reviewers have noted that it had heavy steering and acceleration . Chief engineer at that time
14-514: The Urraco ), having sold 410 units. Lamborghini Silhouette The Lamborghini Silhouette is a two- door two- seat mid-engined rear-wheel drive sports car that was made by Lamborghini between 1976 and 1979 in small numbers. Officially presented at the 1976 Geneva Auto Show , the Silhouette began as a styling exercise by noted Italian Carrozzeria Bertone . It was based on
21-477: The US models had a power output of 250 hp (186 kW; 253 PS). Fuel flow was managed by four twin-barrel down-draught Weber 42 DCNF carburetors. Lamborghini claimed the Jalpa could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.0 seconds, to 161 km/h (100 mph) in 19.1 seconds and a 1/4 mile time of 15.4 at 148 km/h (92 mph) with a top speed of 249 km/h (155 mph), Curb weight
28-561: The earlier Lamborghini Urraco , but was distinguished from the Urraco by more angular styling. The Silhouette was the first Lamborghini to employ a targa top roof. The Silhouette later evolved into the similar looking but more successful Lamborghini Jalpa . The car had a 3.0-litre all-aluminium alloy Lamborghini V8 engine mounted transversely behind the driver. Of the 54 units (42 left-hand-drive and 12 right-hand drive), 31 are currently known to exist. Official performance figures indicate
35-745: Was Giulio Alfieri . The name Jalpa Kandachia came from a famous breed of fighting bulls , a tradition later followed with the Gallardo . The Jalpa was fitted with a 3.5 L (210 cu in) double overhead camshaft version of the V8 engine used in the Silhouette on which it was based, designated the L353 . The version used in the Jalpa had a power output of 255 hp (190 kW; 259 PS) at 7,000 rpm and 225 lb⋅ft (305 N⋅m) of torque at 4,000 rpm in European specification. The engine in
42-437: Was 1,510 kg (3,329 lb ). The performance of the Jalpa was comparable to the entry-level Ferrari 328 which was based on the older Ferrari 308 . Classic & Sports Car magazine quoted a 0–97 km/h (0–60 mph) acceleration time of 6.8 seconds and a 0–161 km/h time of 16 seconds for the Jalpa, while Car and Driver reported a 0–60 mph acceleration time of 5.8 seconds. When Lamborghini
49-678: Was sold in 1980, the plastic components (bumpers, air intakes and engine cover) were black, and the car carried over the rectangular taillights of the Silhouette along with a targa top body style. This was changed in 1984 when round taillights were fitted and the black plastic parts were replaced by parts in body colour. A rear wing, as with the Countach , was optional. In 1988, after falling sales and new ownership by Chrysler , Lamborghini decided to end Jalpa production despite its being Lamborghini's second most successful V8 car to date (after
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