Lamborghini Jalpa

Lamborghini Jalpa
Overview
Manufacturer	Lamborghini
Production	1981-1988 410 produced
Designer	Carrozzeria Bertone
Body and chassis
Class	Sports car (S)
Body style	2-door targa
Layout	Transverse mid-engine, rear-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine	3.5 L Lamborghini V8
Transmission	5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,451 mm (96.5 in)
Length	4,330 mm (170.5 in)
Width	1,880 mm (74.0 in)
Height	1,140 mm (44.9 in)
Kerb weight	1,510 kg (3,329 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Lamborghini Urraco Lamborghini Silhouette
Successor	Lamborghini Gallardo

The Lamborghini Jalpa (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈxalpa]) is a sports car produced by the Italian sports car manufacturer Lamborghini from 1981 to 1988.

Overview

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.^[1] 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.

Name

Lamborghini Jalpa.

Interior

The name Jalpa Kandachia came from a famous breed of fighting bulls, a tradition later followed with the Gallardo.^[2]

Engine

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. The version used in the Jalpa produced 255 hp (190 kW; 259 PS) at 7000 rpm and 225 lb·ft (305 N·m) at 4000 rpm.^[1]

Performance

Lamborghini claimed the Jalpa could accelerate from 0 to 62 miles per hour (100 km/h) in 6.0 seconds, to 100 miles per hour (160 km/h) in 19.1 seconds and a 1/4 mile time of 15.4 at 92 miles per hour (148 km/h) with a top speed of 234 kilometres per hour (145 mph), Curb weight was 1,510 kilograms (3,329 lb).

Classic & Sports Car magazine, however, quoted a 0-60 mph time of 6.8 seconds and a 0-100 mph time of 16 seconds for the Jalpa.^[3]

Revisions and end of production

When the car was sold in 1981, the plastic components (bumpers, air intakes and engine cover) were black, and the car carried over the rectangular taillights of the Silhouette. This was changed in 1984 when round taillights were fitted and the black plastic parts were replaced by parts in body color.

In 1988, after falling sales, the new owners, Chrysler, decided to end Jalpa production despite its being Lamborghini's most successful V8 car to date, having sold 410 units.

Movies & TV appearances

In the 1985 movie Rocky IV, Rocky drives a black Lamborghini Jalpa. On the TV show Miami Vice, Phil Collins drove a White Lamborghini Jalpa in the season 2 episode "Phil the Shill"

References

1. Hall, Jim (December 1982). "Driving Impression: Lamborghini Jalpa". Motor Trend. Petersen Publishing: 59–60. ISSN 0027-2094.
2. Markus, Frank (February 2013). "Sant'Agata Bolognese to Zaragoza, the Heming-Way". Motor Trend. 65 (2): 106.
3. Classic & Sports Car February 2010

External links

• Road Test 1986 Lamborghini Jalpa 3500
• History and specifications of the Jalpa