Exterior Styling: Retro Done Right
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.
Performance: A Raging Bull For The 21st Century
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.
Interior: Functional Excellence
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?
Availability and Competition
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
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