When you have an iconic name like the Countach in your past portfolio, it would be wise to bring it back and let buyers revel in its nostalgia yet again. The Countach, for the uninitiated, is the most famous Lamborghini ever made and is credited to being the first “supercar”. The iconic shape, designed by Marcello Gandini of the Bertone design studio, achieved cult status as being one of the most revered designs ever. It came out in the 1970s and caused much shock and aw but the genius part of the design is that the Countach has the same effect even today. Time has not withered away from its visual charm.
Hence, it makes sense for Lamborghini to bring back this name albeit this time as a rich collector’s item only. The previous Countach was a full model changer after the Miura but the new one is a limited edition indulgence. Called the Countach LPI 800-4, it retains the design cues that mark it out as a Countach but with a more modern canvas. Just like the original, the design is low, wide, and follows the “wedge shape” with only flat or non sculpted surfaces. There are sharp lines that pay homage to the original LP 500 and LP 400 production versions. Everything is wedge-shaped and there is a distinct rectangular theme along with the wheel arches drawn hexagonally. There are hints of other Lamborghini models like the Aventador or the Sian but the Countach design details have been lovingly draped on this with much success. We also like the NACA air intakes and the three-unit rear light clusters plus the Countach “gills” of course.
Some of the other trademarks Lamborghini touches have been kept undisturbed with scissor doors, first introduced on the Countach and a four-exhaust tail-pipe design.
The original Countach was not just about a sci-fi design but it also had an extreme philosophy towards packaging and its components. The Lamborghini V12 6.5 liter engine packs in 769hp plus gets a 48-volt e-motor mounted directly on the gearbox providing a further boost to the power on offer. Hence, Lamborghini has found a way to keep the V12 alive and away from the prying eyes of emissions plus it just would not have been a Countach without a 12-cylinder motor. The new Countach is also light with the monocoque chassis and all the body panels finished in carbon fiber.
Lamborghini has also poured some of the original Countach DNA into the interior with a “red and black leather heritage interior”. It also features geometric stitching on the comfort seats and dashboard, sporting a square motif- a nod to the 1970s design and technology.
That said, you get all the modern-day luxuries that the original did not possess. There is an 8,4″ HDMI center touch screen unique to the LPI 800-4 as well as a photochromatic roof – changing from solid to transparent at the push of a button.
The production is just limited to 112 units, the number denotes the ‘LP 112’ internal project name used during the original Lamborghini Countach’s development. The Countach LPI 800-4 will also be delivered from the first quarter of 2022 to owners worldwide with a $2.64-million price tag. So while the ethos and the positioning in the Lamborghini hierarchy have changed for the Countach name, it is still a gorgeous supercar that does justice to its fabled predecessor.