Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4

Special cars were likely to end up on posters on the walls of children’s bedrooms in the 1980s and ’90s. Most commonly printed was the wedge-shaped and wild Lamborghini Countach. Its shape, drawn by Marcello Gandini, was simply perfect as image material for a dream car. There have often been requests from customers for a modernized new edition. Only recently, corresponding computer sketches went through social media. Finally, on Friday, Lamborghini itself presented a modern hybrid supercar that revives the model name 50 years after its original presentation, the Countach LPI 800-4. This debut took place at The Quail as part of Monterey Car Week. However, the factory car departs significantly from the original design and the designs found on the internet, for example by ARC Design.

Countach details on an Aventador with Sián rear end

Chief designer Mitja Borkert used the carbon monocoque of the Aventador as the basis. In addition, the rear end is strongly reminiscent of the Sián FKP 37, which debuted at the IAA 2019. Some integrated details of the classic Countach were heavily exaggerated. For example, the side NACA air intake extends far into the doors. The roof recess was taken over from the Countach P400 “Periscopio”. However, this isn’t used for the interior mirror, but as an optical gag to link a glass roof with the glazed engine hood. At the front, the narrow LED headlights sit a bit high up to do the overall impression any good. Next to that, it wasn’t possible to give the wheel arches the characteristics Gandini sweep without resorting to tricks in the form of black-colored add-on parts. It’s a pity, because in many places the potential of the basic idea of a modern Countach is lost. The marketing department also has to take lessons in model history, as they talk about references to the LP500 series version, of which there was only one unique prototype.

Various color options for 112 customers

Inside, the new Countach LPI 800-4 also features various areas that have clearly been taken over from the Aventador. Bare carbon frames the digital instrument behind the steering wheel, the air vents, the 8.4-inch touchscreen display in the center console and large areas on the center tunnel. On the presentation vehicle, a red and black leather interior with white stitching provides a nice contrast to the body paint in Bianco Siderale, a white hue with pearl blue components. The 112 lucky customers who will receive a new Countach can choose from 33 classic and modern paint colors. Some of these are taken from the color palette for the original Countach. In addition, the interior is also available in a single color on request and can be combined with carpet in five different colors. The first examples will roll out of the factory halls in Sant’Agata from the first quarter of 2022.

V12 from Aventador Ultimae, electric motor from Sián

With the epithet LPI 800-4, Lamborghini gives the viewer a lot of information. This starts with the installation position of the engine (LP for Longitudinale Posteriore, longitudinally behind the passengers). Since the Asterion concept car from the Paris Motor Show 2014, the “I” has stood for a hybrid drive. The Italian sports car manufacturer rounded off the power rating “800” for the first time, as the system output is actually 814 hp. The “4” also indicates that the new Countach has permanent all-wheel drive. Let’s briefly return to the powertrain. This is made up of the 780-hp naturally aspirated V12 engine with 6.5 liters of displacement from the Aventador Ultimae and the 48-volt electric motor from the Sián with just 34 hp. The latter is installed directly in the transmission and specifically bridges the pauses between gearshifts during acceleration. Instead of conventional batteries, Lamborghini uses a supercapacitor. The car reaches 62 mph after 2.8 seconds and a maximum speed of 221 mph is possible.

Images: Lamborghini