Limited to just 112 units worldwide, the new Lamborghini Countach LPI800-4 takes over where the previous generation left off.
There are few cars from the 1980s that are as iconic as the Lamborghini Countach. During that time, every other young boy seemed to have a poster of the legend on the wall of their bedroom, myself included. I had the one from Alpine High Fidelity of the red Lamborghini Countach LP5000 against a black background. The Lamborghini LPI800-4 takes over where the previous generation left off, and brings back all of the feelings, emotions, and passion of the Countach of old.
Now that many of the young boys of the 1980s are middle-aged men, many with a significant net worth, Lamborghini is brilliantly capitalizing on the Countach in the form of the 2022 LPI800-4.
What impact has the Lamborghini Countach had on modern supercar design?
In its time, the Lamborghini Countach was impractical, flashy, and gorgeous, much like the ‘trophy’ girlfriends of most adolescent males of the 1980s. Nevertheless, it was something that we all lusted after.
The Countach was also the forefather of modern supercar design with its primary front-to-back line, sharp angles and lines, peculiar wedge shape, and rear, mid-engine configuration. It also set the design language and bar for future models from Lamborghini.
What is the powerplant driving the new Lamborghini Countach LPI800-4?
The original Countach was powered by a V12 engine ranging from 3.9 to 5.2 liters producing between 350 and 449 horsepower. Under the hood of the modern-day Countach, you will find the same drivetrain powering the Sián, a Longitudinale Posteriore (LP) positioned V12 engine coupled with hybrid supercapacitor technology.
In its current setup, the LPI 800-4 rockets from 0 to 62 miles per hour in just 2.8 seconds and then on to 124 miles per hour in 8.6 seconds, topping out at 220 miles per hour.
What is the origin of the name “Countach”?
The Countach name, which means “surprise and wonder” in Piedmontese dialect and is pronounced “Coon-tach,” is one of the few Lamborghini model names not associated with bulls.
What are the enhancements to the 2021 Lamborghini Countach LPI800-4?
The final shape is clear and straightforward, referencing the initial LP 500 and LP 400 manufacturing versions. The aggressive features of the front hood with long, low rectangular grille and headlights and the hexagonal theme in the wheel arches were inspired by the Quattrovalvole edition to give the LPI 800-4.
The greenhouse’s acute slant borrows the original Countach’s straight lines, which run parallel to the car’s powerful, sleek front-to-back line. Outside of the pure lines, there is no fixed rear wing. Instead, the air scoops are blended into the shoulders of the car. The NACA air intakes cut into the side and doors of the Countach LPI 800-4, while the Periscopio lines flowing through the roof to the rear of the car appear to float towards the back of the vehicle when viewed from above.
The inverted wedge shape of the Countach LPI 800-4’s rear end is instantly recognized, with a lower, slimmer line on the rear bumper and a ‘hexagonal design shaping the three-unit rear light clusters. The LPI 800-4 features the Countach’s four powerful exhaust tailpipes joined within the carbon fiber rear diffuser. The notorious scissor doors, first seen on the Countach and now a Lamborghini V12 hallmark, provide both driver and passenger access.
Performance engineering for a new era
The Countach’s V12 engine is as renowned as the car’s design. The original Countach had side-mounted Formula One radiators, a forward-facing gearbox, and tubular spaceframe technology and was positioned longways at the back with a forward-cabin configuration. Its engine arrangement was chosen for weight distribution and balance, and of course, the aspirated twelve cylinders delivered a fantastic performance. The Countach used the best available technologies to create an automobile worthy of countless adolescent dreams. The Countach LPI 800-4 embodies this by combining the pinnacle of contemporary Lamborghini technologies and engineering with the performance expected of a Countach in 2021.
The Lamborghini V12 6.5-liter engine produces 769 horsepower combined with a 48-volt e-motor mounted directly on the gearbox, providing an additional 33 horsepower for immediate response and increased performance. Compared to a lithium-ion battery of the same weight, the e-motor is driven by a supercapacitor, which provides three times the power.
The carbon fiber monocoque chassis and all body panels provide the best weight-to-strength ratio as well as outstanding torsional stiffness: The dry weight of the Countach LPI 800-4 is 3,516 lbs, resulting in a dry weight to power ratio of 4.38 lbs/hp. The front splitter, the area around the front window and wing mirrors, the engine cover, air intakes, and the rocker panel all have visible carbon fiber characteristics, always present in key interior details. Moving air vents created with state-of-the-art 3D printing technology, as well as a photochromatic roof that changes from solid to translucent at the touch of a button, serve as a reminder that, despite its ancient inspiration, this automobile is a 21st-century automotive screensaver.
The interior of the Countach LPI800-4
The new Countach borrows design inspirations from the original Countach to create the seats and dashboard, incorporating the classic and geometric stitching with a square motif echoing the bold style and optimism of 1970s design and technology.
What are the brakes and wheels of the new Countach?
The Countach LPI 800-4 20″ (front) and 21″ (rear) wheels include carbon-ceramic brake discs and Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires and are designed in the 1980s “telephone” style.
The LPI 800-4 features an 8,4-inch HDMI center touchscreen that regulates automobile controls such as Connectivity and Apple CarPlay. It also has a one-of-a-kind button called ‘Stile’ (Design) that, when touched, communicates the Countach design philosophy to its select audience.
The number 112 refers to the internal project name “LP 112” used while creating the original Lamborghini Countach. Production is limited to just 112 units worldwide at the cost of $2.7 million.
Closing thoughts
I think that the Contact LPI800-4 is a worthy successor to the first generation Countach. Like the original, it will be the “stuff of dreams” for a new generation of young boys worldwide.
