If you thought you knew the rarest Diablos, think again - because something exceptional just hit the streets of Maartensdijk, Netherlands: a Lamborghini Diablo SE30 Jota finished in a breathtaking Balloon White.
In recent years, we’ve been lucky to witness some truly rare Diablos surfacing across the globe, but this latest sighting is genuinely one for the history books. While the one-off GT1 and GT2 variants - essentially factory-backed race cars - grab headlines for their sheer exclusivity, and the Diablo SV Roadster, of which only 2 units were built, stands out as a wild anomaly, it’s the SE30 Jota that roars into the spotlight as one of the most desirable and rarest production Diablos ever made. There’s nothing quiet about it - between its racing pedigree, raw power, and extreme rarity, the Jota is a full-blown collector’s grail.
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The Jota: A powerhouse born for the track
Let’s get this straight: the SE30 Jota wasn’t just rare - it was the most powerful production Diablo Lamborghini ever built. With 587 hp, the SE30 Jota delivers more punch than the Diablo GT at 575 hp and significantly outguns the Diablo SV at 536 hp, all while weighing in at just around 1,250 kg, making it a lean, focused weapon built for pure performance. Most people assume the GT or SV would be the flagship, but when it comes to raw performance, the Jota takes the crown.
The Jota wasn’t just a trim package - it was a factory-developed race upgrade, created by Lamborghini Engineering (the brand’s former F1 division) for VIP clients who wanted to compete in the FIA BPR GT Series against legends like the McLaren F1 GTR, Ferrari F40 GTE, and Porsche 911 GT2.
The Jota kit - What made it special?
The SE30 Jota kit was an extensive mechanical overhaul, designed to take the already hardcore Diablo SE30 and turn it into a barely-tamed race car for the street. The kit included:
• Racing ECU
• Custom intake manifold with forced air induction
• Unique high-lift racing camshafts
• Functional rear hood scoops feeding the engine directly
• Free-flow race exhaust
• 400 km/h speedometer
• Subtle “Jota” badging
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Not just purple - A rainbow of rare colors
When people hear “SE30 Jota,” they usually picture the iconic Viola SE30 purple, but this white example is proof that the palette was more diverse than many think. Other documented colors include:
• Yellow
• Black
• White
• Light blue
• Silver
• Green
The white one spotted in the Netherlands is only the fourth SE30 Jota ever spotted on our site - a testament to just how rare and tucked away these cars truly are.
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Let’s recap the Jotas that have shown their faces in the wild:
• Light Blue - Spotted in Paris ~5 years ago
• Purple - Seen in Barrington, Illinois in 2012
• Green - Spotted in Nürburg, Germany in 2008, later reappeared with Monaco plates in 2012
• White - The latest and most elegant Jota, just seen in the Netherlands
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Why don’t we see more of them?
Only around 15 factory Jota kits were officially installed, with a few additional cars converted later by specialists. That puts total production well under 30 units worldwide, making it rarer than many Ferraris, Paganis, or McLaren hypercars. It’s no wonder most owners keep them tucked away as part of private collections.
Still, it’s a shame they don’t get out more often. Seeing one in motion is like watching a comet streak across the sky - brief, loud, and unforgettable. So here’s hoping a few more of these monsters stretch their legs again in the wild.
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If you’re as obsessed with rare Diablos as we are, make sure to check out some of our recent features as well. We covered the final evolution of the Diablo, the VT 6.0, in all its refined glory, and uncovered a rare Diablo SVR, a true race-bred machine with serious motorsport heritage. Spotter Car_Hunter_Reims recently caught a dream combo on the move - a Diablo SV and a Diablo VT 6.0 driving together, showcasing both the raw and refined sides of the Diablo spectrum. And if that wasn’t enough, we also featured a Diablo GT prowling the streets of Milan, a brutal reminder of how wild Lamborghini got with its limited-run V12s. Each of these stories dives deep into what makes these legends so unforgettable, and they’re absolutely worth checking out if you’re passionate about the raging bull’s golden era.
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