Pictured here is the unbelievably rare 2000 Lamborghini Coatl (“Serpent” in Nahuatl), which is essentially a Diablo variant that was modified to an extreme extent. In 1995, both Robert A. Braner, president of Automobili Lamborghini USA, and then head of head of Automobili Lamborghini S.P.A, Michael J. Kimberly, received permission to produce Lamborghini automobiles in both Argentina and some other countries in Latin America. With this permission, the Coatl project came to life in Mexico under Automoviles Lamborghini Latinoamérica S.A, which is an independent Mexican company started by Jorge Antonio Fernández García after securing Lamborghini’s trademark rights for Latin America. The Coatl was not exactly a factory prototype, however, the car was reportedly built with permission from the factory. It took a total of 4 years to design and create the Coatl (1996-2000), and during it’s debut in 2000, it was actually first known as the Eros 2000. The Coatl is much more than just a body kit and some aftermarket modifications. This special project features unique touches such as a 14-coat paint job, a custom steering wheel, pedals, and seat that were designed to perfectly accommodate the owners driving position. At the time, the Coatl was planned for limited production with each car being intensely focused on the customer’s specifications, however, when Chrysler sold the Lamborghini brand to the Volkswagen-Audi group in 1998, the project was shelved. Other unique features of this radically redesigned Diablo include, fixed headlights, a roof scoop, and a modified chassis constructed out of chromium molybdenum steel, and was designed in England by none other than McLaren. The Coatl got it’s unique styling from @joanferci, who took the standard design of the Diablo sports car and enhanced it with tons of eye-catching aerodynamic elements and a very interesting brown-colored paint finish.
How many made? 1 of 1 (two other possibly sold privately)
Engine: Diablo 5.7L V12 bored and stroked to 6.3 L (384 cu in) by McLaren to produce 635 hp
Debut: N/A
Top Speed: 239 mph (claimed)
0-60: 3.4 seconds (claimed)
Photo Credit: @joanferci
Research: @rarecarsonly