The first American-spec Eccentrica V12, nicknamed Green Dragon, made its debut at The Quail last August and instantly drew a crowd. Finished in striking Verde Chartreuse with crisp white wheels and subtle carbon-fibre accents, it’s the U.S. showcase of Emanuel Colombini’s bold idea: re-engineering the Lamborghini Diablo into a modern driver’s car. Only nineteen will be built worldwide, each a 550-horsepower tribute to the naturally aspirated V12 and to an era when Italian supercars were as unruly as they were beautiful.
From Childhood Obsession to Brand
Colombini grew up in San Marino surrounded by construction businesses, not race teams, but the Diablo captured his imagination early. Years later, that childhood fixation evolved into Eccentrica, the first restomod brand dedicated solely to naturally aspirated V12 Lamborghinis. His aim is straightforward yet ambitious: create “550-horsepower go-karts” that combine the drama of the original Diablo with the polish and usability of a contemporary hypercar.
‘The Diablo was my dream car as a kid. I remember it being shiny and red on the cover of Quattroruote.‘
Emanuel Colombini, Founder of Eccentrica
Unlike many resto-mod projects, Eccentrica isn’t about nostalgia for its own sake. Colombini insists the cars must feel alive on a winding road, not just glitter under a show-stand spotlight. Each build begins with a carefully sourced first-series Diablo—chosen for its purity of design—and then undergoes a complete mechanical and aesthetic re-engineering.
Classic Shape, Modern Engineering
The early-90s Diablo was thrilling but hardly refined. Eccentrica starts with that raw canvas and rebuilds it from the ground up. The 5.7-litre V12 gains new camshafts, electronic throttle bodies and a lighter flywheel, raising output to 550 horsepower and smoothing delivery. More important than the headline figure is how it arrives: power builds progressively, giving the car stronger acceleration of 0–100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, down from 4.1 without the abrupt surge of the factory original.
Braking and handling receive equal attention. Brembo supplies 380 mm front and 345 mm rear discs, a major upgrade over the stock 330/284 setup and more than capable of hauling the car down from its estimated 335 km/h top speed. Suspension is handled by TracTive’s adaptive damping with three modes plus a lift function for speed bumps. Carbon-fibre reinforcement and composite panels improve rigidity and balance, while new power-assisted steering finally makes tight manoeuvres manageable without muting feedback.
Inside, the Diablo’s 1990s drama remains but gains welcome refinements. A slimmer centre tunnel, electronic handbrake and refreshed instruments free up space and sharpen ergonomics. Discreet tech touches include steering-wheel-mounted indicators and an LED rev counter, so the driver’s line of sight stays clean. A bespoke Marantz audio system, an industry first in a supercar, is tuned for the cabin’s acoustics, while a redesigned slot-style air-distribution system finally delivers even climate control. Materials mix rich leather with Alcantara, finished to a standard that rivals today’s top luxury marques.
Built to Order
Every Eccentrica is made to an owner’s exact specifications. Clients can select from 29 core colours across Heritage, Sport and Eccentrica palettes or commission a fully bespoke match. The process starts in Milan’s design district with a consultation alongside Colombini and the BorromeodeSilva studio. From there, the journey moves to Podium Advanced Technologies in Valle d’Aosta, where customers witness the transformation firsthand. Final test drives through San Marino’s winding hills often with Colombini in the passenger seat, turn the transaction into a personal celebration of the car’s character.
Top speed rises to roughly 335 km/h, and the power-to-weight ratio improves from 3.30 to 2.91 kg per horsepower. Braking from 100 km/h takes just 34 metres, down from 40. Lateral grip climbs to about 1.2 g, thanks to Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tyres wrapped around custom 19-inch forged wheels. These are hypercar-level figures, but they serve a broader purpose: to make the Diablo not just faster, but more precise and more rewarding to drive every day.
More Than a Revival
The Eccentrica V12 proves a classic can be reborn without losing its soul. Colombini’s Green Dragon isn’t nostalgia dressed in carbon fibre; it’s a focused re-imagining of one of Lamborghini’s most audacious creations, engineered for modern roads and drivers who still crave the sound of a naturally aspirated V12. In an age dominated by hybrid systems and electric silence, that alone feels rebellious.