Model biography
The Lamborghini Jalpa 350 was the technical and stylistic evolution of the Silhouette. Launched at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show, the car was created in Sant’Agata Bolognese by Giulio Alfieri, then General Manager of the company. The Jalpa took the beautiful concept of the Silhouette and smoothed out some of the lines, such as the integration of the wheel arches. The mid-engine layout was retained from the Silhouette, but the displacement of the engine was increased to 3.5 liters thanks to a longer stroke.
The interior was completely redesigned, now much more luxurious and refined. In the second series, introduced in 1984, further updates were made to the aesthetics and interior details, making it even more distinctive. Lamborghini produced 420 units, divided into two series, the first from 1981 to 1984; the second from 1984 to 1988.
Design
Alfieri understood that the market would appreciate a two-seater, open-top sportscar that, in the pure spirit of Lamborghini, would be fun to drive. Once the packaging of the engine and gearbox had been defined, he turned his attention to the styling cues. Well aware that he was more of a technical engineer than car designer, he retained key elements of the Silhouette, including the overall dimensions of the car. However, he focused on refining the design and integrating better the front spoiler and the side skirts. The wheel arches were also smoothed out against the rest of the bodywork.
The five-hole wheels were replaced with flat rims, maintaining the design continuity of the 1980 Athon prototype. The roof, when removed, could be placed behind the seats with a simple and practical attachment system. The interior was more luxurious and refined, with a plastic covering for the dashboard and on-board instruments. The steering wheel was also new, with a padded center.
Technical features
Lamborghini retained the V8 engine in the Jalpa, complete with the Heron heads that were introduced by Paolo Stanzani, but the engine was revised and updated. The block was still an aluminum alloy, but the displacement was increased to 3.5 liters with the main purpose of optimizing torque and drivability at low revs, rather than increasing maximum power. The engine was fitted with four Weber 42 DCNF carburetors. The overall aerodynamics improved, but the weight of the car increased slightly compared to the Silhouette. The wheels increased in size, the Jalpa running Pirelli P7 tires that were 16 inches at the front, 17 inches at the rear.
Lifestyle
The Jalpa appeared in the 1985 film “Rocky IV” in a scene that seemed to be dedicated to the car. It also appeared in several episodes of the series “Miami Vice” during the mid 1980s. At home on the winding roads of the French Riviera, for which it was apparently designed, the Jalpa still stands out today for its extraordinary road manners and a very entertaining driving experience. Topping it all is a first-class soundtrack, produced by the roar of the V8 engine.
