Lamborghini Jalpa

Vehicle Overview

The Lamborghini Jalpa, introduced as a successor to the Silhouette, sought to bring the luxury and performance of the Italian automaker to a more accessible market. Designed by Bertone, the Jalpa aimed to provide a more affordable alternative to the flagship Countach while retaining the distinctive Lamborghini style. One of the key differences between the Jalpa and its predecessor, the Countach, was its practicality. The Jalpa was lauded for its improved drivability, featuring better visibility and greater ease of handling in heavy traffic and at slow speeds. However, some reviewers noted that the steering and accelerator felt heavy, showcasing the balance between performance and everyday usability. The name “Jalpa Kandachia” was inspired by a renowned breed of fighting bulls, continuing Lamborghini’s tradition of drawing inspiration from the world of bullfighting. This nomenclature was later carried on with the Gallardo model. Under the hood, the Jalpa boasted a 3.5 L double overhead camshaft V8 engine derived from the Lamborghini Silhouette. In European specification, it produced an impressive 255 hp at 7,000 rpm and 225 lb⋅ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. The US models, while slightly less powerful at 250 hp, still delivered a thrilling performance. Fuel flow was managed by four twin-barrel down-draught Weber 42 DCNF carburetors. Lamborghini claimed impressive performance figures for the Jalpa, including a 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration time of 6.0 seconds and a top speed of 249 km/h (155 mph). Classic & Sports Car magazine reported acceleration times of 0–97 km/h (0–60 mph) in 6.8 seconds, while Car and Driver documented a quicker 0–60 mph time of 5.8 seconds. Introduced at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show, the early Jalpa models featured black plastic components such as bumpers, air intakes, and the engine cover. Rectangular taillights from the Silhouette and a targa top body style completed the initial design. In 1984, Lamborghini made aesthetic changes, replacing the black plastic parts with body-colored components and fitting round taillights. An optional rear wing reminiscent of the Countach was also offered. Despite its initial success, Jalpa production ceased in 1988 due to declining sales. Chrysler, the new owners of Lamborghini at the time, made the decision to discontinue the model, marking the end of the Jalpa’s tenure as Lamborghini’s second most successful V8 car, with a total of 410 units sold. For the successor, Lamborghini owned by Chrysler developed the P140 project.