Actually it has been built since March 1981. As a prototype based on the Silhouette it can be seen much earlier. This also has to do with the great similarity to the Silhouette in front of the car. Initially, only the rear part is really changed, at the presentation even with rear wing. Inside are larger differences. The dashboard is new and the seats have, demanded by some legislators, adjustable backrests.

Of course, the location of the transverse engine remains. Only the displacement compared with Urraco and Silhouette by 500 cc, to be able to compete fairly with the competitors of Porsche and Ferrari. The name 'Jalpa' is, of course, again derived from a bull breed. 416 Jalpa are produced, whereby it is the most successful eight-cylinder Lamborghini. This is thanks not least to the admission for USA, what the predecessor Silhouette has failed.

The testers have reason for complaint. You need to get used to quite an engine noise not only at top speeds, a cumbersome to engage reverse gear and a heavy-operated clutch. Also the 'motley' dashboard can be found not so sparkling. Almost dangerous they find the tank filler neck under the hood together with the hot engine. But they enjoy the almost unprecedented Lamborghini image, the smell of leather, the space in the footwell area and possibilities of a Targa with (but heavy) fixed roof. This is 15 liters/100km in mixed traffic well worth measured at the sales price and you have to accustom just slow to the capricious handling of a strong mid-engine car. Subsequent tests confirm the Jalpa a better balanced suspension.