Lamborghini Countach

Throughout the year, Lamborghini has been effectively telling us that its focus for 2021 is the Countach. How could it not be? First, there were explanations of how the Countach inspires every current Lambo, and then there was a full tribute to the iconic poster car. In the car's 50th anniversary year, we've seen celebratory videos and stories galore, and these even inspired a render of what a modern Countach could look like. Although a great effort, Lamborghini has now revealed what it thinks is a respectful homage to the original classic, and you know what? The Countach LPI 800-4 is just right. Let's dive in and see what this new masterpiece has to offer.

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The modern Countach has some drawbacks. Thanks to pedestrian safety laws, pop-up headlights are no longer legal, and the result is a set of headlights that look like they could have worked better on a Diablo homage. Nevertheless, they still look slim enough to be on a Countach, and that front end is clearly inspired by the Quattrovalvole version in a way that is pure genius. The blocky extensions to the front end and the line along the rocker panels add a touch more retro style. The sharp angle of the original Countach's front wheelhouse is spectacularly reimagined too, while the intakes on the shoulders with its slatted 'gills' are smoother than those of the original but just as effective.

At the rear, Sian-esque taillights combine with something we haven't seen on a new Lambo for a little while: quad-exit exhaust tips. These are housed in a massive carbon fiber diffuser, and the recess that increases visual height at the rear of each 21-inch 'telephone-style' wheel is magnificent. The front wheels are 20s and all four corners house carbon ceramic brakes. Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires keep you on the straight and narrow, but we might spend most of the day staring at the louvered engine cover that leads to a photochromatic roof or the exaggerated side NACA ducts. This is brilliant from front to back, and the overall shape mimics that of the original beautifully.

Colors can be chosen from the heritage range of paint options, most of which are solid colors like Impact White, Giallo Countach, and Verde Medio. Alternatively, the contemporary palette offers mostly metallic shades like Viola Pasifae and Blu Uranus. The one you see here is a dedicated color called Bianco Siderale inspired by the pearlescent blue hints present in the paintwork of Ferruccio's own LP 400 S.

The Countach is made of a carbon fiber monocoque and is dressed in full carbon body panels and interior trims, so weight is low. Pushrod magnetorheological active front and rear suspension with horizontal dampers and springs promise outstanding handling, while hydraulic power steering is becoming as rare as rubies and is just as appreciated. That doesn't mean that you're getting old stuff here though - the Countach represents the best Lamborghini has to offer right now, so its 6.5-liter V12 engine develops 769 horsepower, and like the Sian, is supplemented by electric power. A 48-volt motor is powered by a 600-amp supercapacitor and is mounted directly on the gearbox to add another 33 hp with 25 lb-ft of torque for a total of 802 hp. You get a peak of 531 lb-ft at 6,750 rpm, with the engine achieving maximum power at 8,500 rpm and the red line arriving 200 revolutions later.

With all four wheels powered by the Haldex Gen IV AWD system and connected to the seven-speed Independent Shifting Rod single-clutch automatic, a 0-62 time of just 2.8 seconds is possible, with 0-124 possible in 8.6 seconds. Top speed arrives at 221 mph, while those carbon-ceramic brakes we mentioned earlier will slow you from 62 mph to zero in a little over 98 feet. That's not bad considering that this car has a dry weight of 3,516 pounds.

It's not small either, with a length of 191.73 inches and a wheelbase of 106.3 inches. Height is 44,84 inches - spectacularly low - while width is an expansive 89.17 with the mirrors and 82.64 without them.

Open the fabulous scissor doors first introduced on the original and you'll find attractions like carbon fiber accents and moveable air vents produced by 3D printing. That white paint on the outside with its hints of pearl blue is balanced by a red and black leather cabin that takes cues from the original "within the context of a modern car." Geometric stitching is found on the seats and dashboard, the latter of which sports "a square motif referencing the bold style and optimism of 1970s design and technology." There's also an 8.4-inch HDMI center touchscreen unique to this car that includes Apple CarPlay and a special button called 'Stile' (Design). Press this and the screen explains the Countach design philosophy. How cool is that?

Lamborghini has certainly created a modern-day masterpiece with this homage to the original, groundbreaking Countach. As you can imagine for such a special project, not just anyone can get their hands on one. Just 112 examples will be created, as this number "denotes the 'LP-112' internal project name used during the original Lamborghini Countach's development." Sant'Agata has not told us what each of these costs, but it probably doesn't matter as they're likely all sold out. If they aren't, they surely will be after it appears at Monterey this weekend. For those who can't get to see it there, we hope to catch some at special events after the new Countach is delivered to owners in the first quarter of 2022.

As for what it competes against, this is not a supercar that has been built to compete with anything else. No Ferrari 812 Superfast has this much heritage, and there's no modern Alfa Romeo competing on this level. This is a tribute supercar in a class of one.