LAMBORGHINI
JALPA
Images ©Lamborghini & ©motortrend.com
The ultimate V8 LAMBO
Often overshadowed by the gigantic Countach, the Lamborghini Jalpa is nonetheless an exciting car, at the crossroads of several eras. Presented in 1981 at the Geneva Motor Show in a bronze colour and with an interior featuring a striking geometric fabric, it represented the latest evolution of V8-powered Lamborghinis, a line that began with the Urraco in 1973.
The Jalpa is in fact the direct descendant of this Urraco 2+2, via the Silhouette, a targa version produced briefly between 1976 and 1977. While only 52 examples of the Silhouette were produced, the Jalpa enjoyed a more successful career, albeit still a small one, with 410 units produced between 1982 and 1988.
Product DIVERSIFICATION
When the Mimran brothers took over Lamborghini in the early 1980s, the factory was going through a critical period. They decided not to focus solely on the Countach, but to offer a more affordable range without sacrificing the Lamborghini DNA. The Jalpa was born of this decision. It was later accompanied by the spectacular LM002. It has a clear target: the Ferrari 328 GTB. To bring this project to fruition, the Mimrans called on an emblematic figure : Giulio Alfieri, former technical director of Maserati. His credits include the Birdcage, the 3500 GT, the Bora...
At Lamborghini, he used his house recipe: more displacement, more torque, more fun. The result: the 3.5-litre V8 develops 255bhp at 7000rpm, with a generous 32mkg of torque at 3500rpm. Coupled with a 5-speed gearbox, it propels the Jalpa to 240 km/h, with a well-distributed vigour that's ideal for dynamic drives... with your hair blowing in the wind.
An Alfieri SIGNED GEM
The Jalpa is also an alternative vision of motoring. A Lamborghini that can be used without excess, but with style. Little known, always rare, it embodies the spirit of the 80s with elegance : sharp lines, expressive mechanics and a singular technical heritage.
The example on display at Timeless Classics illustrates this perfectly: a 1988 Jalpa (officially the date of first registration, but produced in 1986), which served as a demonstration car for importer JB Autos.
It is now a perfect example of its era. Its generous torque, well thought-out driving position and practicality make it almost unique in the Lamborghini world. With 255 horsepower, a top speed of 240 km/h and a surprisingly large load area, it proves that pleasure and reason can coexist... even at Lamborghini.