In the ever-evolving supercar world, the Lamborghini Countach still roars with an undiminished presence that even became greater when Lamborghini unveiled the Countach LPI 800-4 in 2021 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Countach. The first Countach, commissioned by Ferruccio Lamborghini, was unique, a radically different vehicle from most supercars of its day. Its most distinctive feature was the doors, deemed hazardous and impractical due to the Countach's ridiculous width. The doors complemented its dramatic, bold, and influential design, as seen with recent and current Lamborghini models. The Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 honors the revolutionary impact of the original Countach by pushing the boundaries of performance and design while staying true to its iconic heritage. Its hybrid powertrain delivers unparalleled performance, offering the driver an impressive 803 horsepower, a remarkable contrast to the 370 horsepower in Ferruccio's Countach. Performance figures aside, it's satisfying to see how both generations share similar design cues despite being decades apart. However, the price tag difference tells a different story. Your bank account won't love you for wanting a Countach LPI 800-4 as prices are already in the vicinity of $5 million, putting it in the same price range as other Collectors' item Lamborghinis such as the Lamborghini Centenario. On the flip side, the 20th Century Countach has varying prices depending on several factors such as the car's history, mileage, spec, and significance. If you're in the market for one, expect to spend between $500,000 and $2 million. With an open budget, would you buy one over a Countach LPI 800-4?
In the late 1960s, the Lamborghini Miura began showing its age amidst newer competition, such as the Ferrari Daytona. As a result, Ferruccio Lamborghini commissioned its replacement, aiming towards a more extreme and futuristic car than what was already in the market. Bertone, a then world-renowned Italian industrial design company, was to bring Lamborghini's vision to life, while Lamborghini's engineers set out to conceptualize a powertrain and drivetrain. The first Countach Prototype debuted at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show and would become the first production car with vertically-opening scissor doors. The design came from Marcello Gandini, who had a long-standing relationship with Lamborghini, having designed the Miura. After the Countach, he then designed its direct successor, the Lamborghini Diablo. Gandini had used the scissor door design on the Alfa Romeo Carabo, but it never entered production. Production began in 1974 at Lamborghini's assembly plant in Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy, also where the Countach LPI 800-4 was made. Throughout its production timeline, 2,000 Countach examples were manufactured from 1974 to July 4, 1990. Showcasing a hybridized V12 powertrain borrowed from the Lamborghini Sián FKP 37, the Countach LPI 800-4 debuted in 2021 to commemorate the Countach's anniversary. A week after its unveiling, Lamborghini sold out all designated 112 units, with production and deliveries done throughout 2022.
Throughout the first Lamborghini Countach production, Lamborghini used three versions of the existing V12. Early production units until 1978, badged as the Countach LP400, had a 3.9-liter V12 making 370 horsepower. The same engine was used in the Countach LP400 S introduced in 1982 but was detuned to 350 horsepower. In 1982, Lamborghini introduced the first major update to the Countach engine, equipping the Countach LP500 S with a 4.8-liter V12 making 375 horsepower. The geniuses behind this engine added a pair of turbochargers to two units, thus increasing power output to a claimed 748 horsepower, which was absolutely bonkers for the 1980s. Imagine driving a car with such power being sent to the rear wheels, and the only driver assistance you get is a shaky anti-lock braking system. As the Countach neared retirement, a 5.2-liter V12 was made available, and it was by far the most advanced engine used in the first-gen Countach. It had fuel injection and four valves per cylinder that enabled it to make 414 horsepower. Due to the four valves per cylinder design, the Countach made with this engine was badged the Lamborghini Countach LP5000 Quattrovalvole. Unlike the engine, the transmission remained unchanged through the Countach's production, with every iteration getting a 5-speed synchromesh manual transmission sending power to the rear wheels. During the concept stage, the Countach's top speed was seriously estimated, with predictions that it could top 186 mph being overturned after production began as the maximum speed barely went over 170 mph, 51mph less than the Countach LPI 800-4. On the topic of the Countach LPI 800-4, it has the Lamborghini Aventador's 6.5-liter V12 but tuned to 770 horsepower like in the Lamborghini Centenario. Additionally, it employs a 48-volt electric motor, adding 34 horsepower to the engine, resulting in 804 horsepower and 557 lb.ft. However, despite the power increase, the Countach LP1 800-4 has acceleration times similar to the Aventador, doing 0-60 in 2.8 seconds. But, looking at the bigger picture, would Lamborghini have made the Lamborghini Revuelto without the Countach LPI 800-4 and the Sián FKP 37?
The 20th Century Lamborghini Countach's interior design resembles what you'd typically find in any classic supercar from its era but adds Italian styling that no other car can replicate. Dominating the view is a leather-laden dashboard with a myriad of gauges, some of which might be considered unnecessary. The leather continues extensively on the center console, seats, and the massive door sills that are known to make the Countach hard to enter and get out of. Circling back to the center console, a gated manual transmission shifter takes center stage, but it's more than that, as it makes the Countach extremely engaging to drive. On the other hand, the Countach LPI 800-4 adopts a fighter jet-inspired cabin that it borrows from the Lamborghini Aventador. However, buyers still got extensive color combination options to bring out their desired tastes. Gone are the angular surfaces from the original Countach interior. Instead, you get a smooth layered interior adorned with the finest selection of materials, mostly carbon fiber and aluminum. Lamborghini describes the Countach LPI 800-4 as expressing a new design that amplifies the sensation of being in a car from the future, Ferruccio Lamborghini's goal with the first Countach.
Lamborghini took their time designing the Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4, but it wouldn't be a Countach without some design cues from its bigger brother. Still, it has more perfect proportions and a futuristic flare than other Aventador platform-based one-offs. Upfront, the classic Countach houses a pair of pop-up headlights within its wedge-shaped front bumper designed to enhance aerodynamics. The pop-up headlights couldn't be replicated on the Countach LPI 800-4 due to safety regulations. Still, its headlights resemble the auxiliary ones on the first-gen Countach, adding a touch of nostalgia to the car's overall design. The classic Countach and the Countach LPI 800-4 share the iconic wedge-shaped silhouette that isn't just for aesthetics; it also aids in aerodynamics. However, Lamborghini refined the new Countach's design, crafting it with softer and more sculpted lines that give it a more modern and elegant look. First used on the classic Countach, the dramatic scissor doors remain a signature feature, adding a touch of theatricality to the exterior design.
Born from a simpler era, the initial iteration of the Lamborghini Countach overcame its absence of state-of-the-art technology. Instead, it thrived on its enduring design and performance, a testament to its excellence that still holds strong today. However, we can't fail to mention the Countach LP5000 Quattrovalvole's 5.2-liter V12 engine's design that revolutionized performance for Lamborghini. Implementing four valves per cylinder and fuel injection promoted more efficient combustion, increasing power output and overall performance. In the Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4, powertrain innovation is seen through its hybrid powertrain that incorporates the electric motor within the transmission, resulting in a slight improvement in performance, fuel economy, and emissions. Though not functional, the wing on the classic Countach became a widely accepted addition as Lamborghini never fitted a wing on the Countach during production. Canadian businessman Walter Wolf was the first to fit it on a Countach, and it was designed by Gian Paolo Dallara, one of the Lamborghini Miura's designers, to enhance the Countach's overall appeal. The Countach LPI 800-4 wing is very much functional, staying concealed at low speeds and rising gracefully at high speeds accordingly to reduce drag or improve downforce.
The price difference between the classic Lamborghini Countach and the new Countach LPI 800-4 is staggering, reflecting the vast gulf in time, technology, and exclusivity between the two cars. However, other determining factors come into play for each Countach you buy. For example, when buying a first-gen Countach, you'll notice that prices range from $500,000 to north of $1.5 million, with early or limited production examples such as the Countach LP400 selling for the highest dollar volumes. For the Countach LPI 800-4, expect prices to be between $4 million and $6 million, mainly depending on the factory options. Exotic Car Trader offers a selection of Lamborghini Countach examples for sale, and amongst these, you might find your dream garage dual should you decide to buy both Countach models. New listings are added regularly, so check back if you don't see your dream bull today.
The Lamborghini Countach's roar echoes through automotive history, its presence undiminished by time. The original, born from Ferruccio's audacious vision, redefined supercar engineering for Lamborghini not only due to its design but also due to its driving dynamics. Its heir, the Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4, reflects how far Lamborghini has come, pushing boundaries even further. Exotic Car Trader creates an exclusive and safe way of buying and selling cars, eliminating the daunting experiences of private selling for buyers and sellers. Every vehicle listed on Exotic Car Trader goes through a private seller verification process, ensuring legitimacy for our buyers. Also, Exotic Car Trader's car buying process is well outlined, with all fees and packages providing our buyers with a seamless and inclusive experience. We can handle the escrow of funds at no additional cost to the buyer and seller, and we also provide trade-in and financing options for buyers. For transaction safety, our transactions team is world-class and equipped with industry fraud detection tools to ensure a safe and secure transaction. These are just some of the benefits you enjoy when buying or selling on Exotic Car Trader. Contact us for listing services or to buy a car on Exotic Car Trader today! Choosing which Lamborghini Countach to buy is a decision dependent on the heart and wallet. The classic Countach showcases Lamborghini legacy while the Countach LPI 800-4 shines with performance and technology unmatched.
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