Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Lamborghini Jalpa
The Lamborghini Jalpa was an unconventionally affordable model that still packed a punch in the 1980s!
The Lamborghini Jalpa was a unique interpretation of the classic Italian sports car. It offered all the style and performance expected from a Lambo but had an unconventionally “affordable” price tag.
You may remember the Jalpa from the "No Easy Way Out" montage in Rocky IV. The Jalpa was known as the “affordable” Lamborghini, but imagine telling Rocky, the Italian Stallion, that he was driving the cheapest Lambo on the market—you wouldn’t!
Lamborghini used the Rocky character to help communicate a specific message—if Rocky likes the car, it has to be BA! This endorsement helped clear up any negative associations anyone might have had based on the affordable price tag.
That said, there’s plenty more to the Jalpa than its brief cameo in Rocky IV, and we're here to tell you everything you need to know.
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What makes the Lamborghini Jalpa special?
From 1981 to 1988, the Jalpa was Lamborghini’s attempt to make a less expensive and more entry-level version of the Countach. The price tag may have limited some performance and design features, but the Jalpa compensated for this in its own unique way. Let’s break it down.
Engine
The Jalpa comes equipped with a perky 250-hp 3.5 liter DOHC V8 engine, and it served as the final Lamborghini model to host a V8 engine until the Urus in 2017.
Most modern Lambos have unrelenting V10 or V12 engines that can achieve upwards of 800 hp. So, you can now understand the entry-level designation that the Jalpa receives when it comes to what you get under the hood.
Speed
Surprisingly, the 3.5-liter V8 engine produced exceptional speed and acceleration. Notable tests clocked the zero to sixty acceleration time at 5.8 to 6.0 seconds for the Jalpa. These performance results were comparable to the Ferrari 308 at the time.
Styling
The affordability of the Jalpa doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style. Quite the opposite, actually! Renowned Italian automobile studio Bertone put their signature touch on the exterior design of the Jalpa. It shares a strong family resemblance with many other Bertone-designed exotic cars, so the casual eye would never know that you spent a little less!
Another perk of the Jalpa was the spacious driver’s seat, comparatively speaking to other small exotic cars. But speaking of interior design, critics sometimes claim the upholstery is a little too ‘80s.
Rarity
Only 410 Jalpas were ever produced. The line ran from 1981 to 1988, with a mere 100 making their way overseas to the American market. This limited production has led the Jalpa to become quite a target for collectors, but finding one can be pretty challenging!
1988: The final Jalpa
When Chrysler took over Lamborghini in 1987, they decided that the Jalpa would be discontinued in the following year. However, Chrysler only controlled Lamborghini for about seven years before it eventually ended up in the hands of Volkswagon.
How much does a Lamborghini Jalpa cost?
As we’ve covered, the Jalpa was dubbed the “affordable” Lamborghini. Original MSRP ranged from $58,000 to $65,000, which translates to about $130,000 today—not a bad bargain for a Lambo!
The Jalpa was the final opportunity for about 15 years to purchase an entry-level Lambo. Then, in 2003, the Gallardo finally came on the scene to be its successor.
Used cost
There was a time in the late 1990s when you could have bought a
used
Jalpa for $25,000 to $35,000. Nobody thought the “affordable” Lamborghini would be worth anything down the road.But lately, the tides have shifted. With only 410 ever produced, collectors have begun to see it as a unique collectible. A Jalpa in good condition will cost you between $100,000 and $130,000, and you can expect these prices to continue to appreciate.
Lastly, the Jalpa has been known to have reliability issues, so the true cost of ownership can be pretty high. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to get a 3rd-party inspection before buying!
How much does it cost to insure a Lamborghini Jalpa?
Insuring a Lamborghini Jalpa can prove to be kind of tricky. With only 410 cars ever produced, parts can be extremely hard to come by. So, if you’re ever in an accident, the repair costs can be outlandishly expensive. As a result, many providers don’t want to insure a Jalpa at all—it’s simply not worth the investment.
Even when you do find a provider, your premium will be costly because you’ll need to invest in a comprehensive policy with
OEM coverage
and classic car coverage
.MORE:
What is OEM coverage?
How does the Lamborghini Jalpa compare to other models?
The Lamborghini Jalpa was designed with affordability in mind, but the performance metrics had to be scaled back to compensate.
Don’t get us wrong, it’s still an awesome car, but it doesn’t compare to some of the power coming out of modern Lambos.
Here’s how it stacks up to the new kids on the block:
Vehicle | Body types | Price | Engine | 0 to 60 | Top speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lamborghini Jalpa | Coupe | $115,000 | 3.5-liter V8 engine w/250 hp | 5.8 seconds | 155 mph |
Lamborghini Huracán | Coupe or convertible | $213,104 | 5.2-liter V-10 w/631 hp | 2.5 seconds | 204 mph |
Lamborghini Urus | SUV | $225,501 | Twin-turbo V8 w/641 hp | 3.2 seconds | 109 mph |
Lamborghini Aventador | Coupe or convertible | $501,953 | 6.5-liter V-12 w/759 hp | 2.8 seconds | 220 mph |
Lamborghini Countach | Coupe | $2,640,000 | Electrically-assisted 6.5-liter V-12 w/802 hp | Unknown | Unknown |
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Where you can buy a Lamborghini Jalpa
With just 410 produced over its eight-year run, they don't come up for sale often. Your best chance at finding one will be through a private seller or auction house.
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