“Lamborghini Countach Evolution: The Story of How a Classic Supercar Overcame Adversity to Become a Legend”

2023-04-17 23:42:00

Lamborghini, which left the hands of Ferruccio Lamborghini and became a new system, was still struggling. In order to overcome the current situation, Lamborghini releases evolution models of Countach one following another. The final model, the 25th Anniversary, has recorded the highest number of sales in the series.

Countach evolved under the direction of the new owner

For Lamborghini, whose production volume was sluggish due to the global recession such as the oil shock, the Countach, which continued to evolve, was truly a lion.

In 1978, the LP400S, the first improved version of the Countach, was announced, and at the same time, the silhouette, which can be said to be an evolution of the 8-cylinder model Urraco, was introduced to the market. Lamborghini that seemed to be doing. However, in fact, its management was affected by the failure of joint businesses with MTI and BMW, which are American military vehicle manufacturers, and the slump in the global economy directly caused by the oil crisis. I didn’t get a chance to turn around.

In the end, Lamborghini was placed under government control, but in 1981, French businessman Patrick Mimran acquired all of Lamborghini’s shares as a new owner, and the company name was precisely Nuova (new ) and was to be changed to Automobili Ferruccio Lamborghini. Giulio Alfieri, who had moved from De Tomaso to Lamborghini around the same time as Mimran, replaced Stanzani as chief engineer. He instructed him to evolve into a model.

“LP500S” reappeared in 5.0 liter V12

The LP5000 QV debuted in the latter half of 1985. The V-type 12-cylinder engine was finally converted to 4-valves, as the QV = Quattro Valvole, and demonstrated 455PS, which surpassed rival Ferrari’s Testarossa.

The “Countach LP500S” announced in 1982 was completed by Alfieri in response to that request. Although the exterior basically inherits the details of the LP400S, the door panels are slightly larger, and above all, the V-type engine has a displacement of 5.0 liters (4754cc to be exact) as you can imagine from the name. The biggest topic was the change to 12 cylinders.

The maximum output is 375PS and the maximum speed is 300km/h. The number of revolutions generated was slightly lowered, which was an improvement aimed at giving the Countach a supersport that was flexible enough for everyday use. The LP500S continued until 1985, during which time 323 units were shipped from the main factory.

In 1985, 4 valves were realized.

The 25th anniversary model “Countach 25th Anniversary”, which was born under the direction of Chrysler, which became the new parent company, debuted in 1988. Although it draws on the flow from the LP5000 QV, it is characterized by its unique arrangement added by Horacio Pagani to increase its power.

In the second half of 1985, Alfieri further extended the stroke of the V12 engine and expanded the displacement to 5167cc. Produced “LP5000 QV (Quattrovalvole)” with a DOHC 4-valve head.

By 1988, 632 units of the LP5000 QV had been produced due to synergistic effects such as the power of 455PS, which greatly exceeded the Ferrari Testarossa, and the injection specification for North America from the LP500S.

25th anniversary model “Anniversary” that recorded the highest number of sales

Additional parts by Horacio Pagani gave the Countach a new personality. And this anniversary recorded the highest number of sales. It was the most popular in the history of Countach for regarding 20 years.

In 1987, control of Lamborghini was transferred from Mimurin to American automaker Chrysler. Under Chrysler, it will evolve into the final version, “Countach’s Anniversary”.

The Countach Anniversary was produced between 1988 and 1990 with 657 units, the most of any Countach model. Horacio Pagani, who now heads Pagani Automobili, designed unique details for the anniversary, such as the unique side sills and air intakes. The interior inherits the basic design of the LP5000 QV, but its usability, comfort, equipment level, etc. are strongly reflected in each part.

The engine installed in the mid is also a 5167cc V-type 12-cylinder DOHC 4-valve, similar to the LP5000 QV, and there are two types of European specifications and North American specifications that use injection. Combined with a downdraft Weber 44DCNF carburetor, the maximum output of the European specification is 455PS. By the time this anniversary was born, the parent company Chrysler had already decided to develop a successor to the Countach, so they probably decided that there was no need to give this anniversary a newly developed engine.

About 20 years have passed since the prototype LP500. Countach continued to stimulate the hearts of many fans as a symbol of supercars, not only Lamborghini.

SPECIFICATIONS

Lamborghini Countach LP500S

Released: 1982
Engine: 60-degree V-type 12-cylinder DOHC
Total displacement: 4754cc
Compression ratio: 9.2
Maximum output: 276 kW (375 PS) / 7000 rpm
Transmission: 5-speed MT
Driving mode: RWD
Vehicle weight: 1490kg
Maximum speed: 300km/h

Lamborghini Countach LP5000 QV

Released: 1985
Engine: 60-degree V-type 12-cylinder DOHC (4 valves)
Total displacement: 5167cc
Compression ratio: 9.5
Maximum output: 335kW (455PS) / 7000rpm
Transmission: 5-speed MT
Driving mode: RWD
Vehicle weight: 1490kg
Maximum speed: 297km/h

Lamborghini Countach Anniversary

Released: 1988
Engine: 60-degree V-type 12-cylinder DOHC (4 valves)
Total displacement: 5167cc
Compression ratio: 9.5
Maximum output: 335kW (455PS) / 7000rpm
Transmission: 5-speed MT
Driving mode: RWD
Vehicle weight: 1490kg
Maximum speed: 295km/h

Commentary / Motohiro Yamazaki

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