Lamborghini’s 1970 introduction of the Urraco marked a strategic move to diversify its lineup, offering a more accessible model to complement its V12 flagship cars. Designed to rival Ferrari’s Dino 308 and Porsche’s 911, the Urraco, styled by Bertone, maintained the mid-engined layout of its iconic predecessor, the Miura. However, it replaced the Miura’s transversely-mounted 4.0-litre V12 with a 2.5-litre V8 housed within an all-steel unitary body/chassis.
In 1976, Lamborghini unveiled the Silhouette, a two-seater variant powered by the Urraco P300’s 3.0-litre V8. Despite its impressive handling and performance akin to the 308 GTB, the Silhouette struggled to match its Ferrari counterpart’s sales figures, with production ceasing in 1978 after a mere 52 units.
A year later, Lamborghini introduced the Urraco P250, but the concept of a smaller V8-powered Lamborghini went dormant until 1982 when the Jalpa made its debut. The Jalpa P350, engineered by Giulio Alfieri, boasted a larger 3,485cc engine producing 255bhp, enabling a top speed of approximately 249km/h (155mph). Its coil-sprung suspension, reminiscent of the Urraco/Silhouette, provided superb handling, complemented by modern features like rack-and-pinion steering and ventilated disc brakes.
With subtle design updates and enhanced interior ergonomics, the Jalpa proved more successful, remaining in production until the 1990s, with 410 units sold. Praised for its performance and flexibility, the Jalpa surpassed rivals like the Porsche 911SC and Lotus Esprit Turbo, solidifying its status as a standout supercar of the 1980s.
Source: Bonhams
