The Lamborghini Countach is not a car that needs much explanation to most people. The original Countach, designed by Marcello Gandini and built from 1974 to 1990, is one of the most recognisable shapes in automotive history – all angular wedge and dramatic scissor doors. When Lamborghini announced a new Countach for 2021, the reaction was predictably divided. When the LPI 800-4 arrived, those divisions mostly resolved in the car’s favour.
A Careful Revival
The Countach LPI 800-4 was produced in 112 units to mark the 50th anniversary of the original car – 112 being the number of the original 1971 Countach prototype.
Lamborghini faced a difficult design brief: create something visibly connected to the original Countach without being a pastiche. The solution was to use the original’s key design signatures – the wedge profile, the vents, the scissor doors, and the side exhaust pipes – while translating them into contemporary surfacing. The result reads as modern Lamborghini rather than a costume, and close inspection reveals sophisticated surfacing that rewards the effort.
The LPI Powertrain
The Countach LPI 800-4 pairs the 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 from the Sián with a supercapacitor hybrid system producing 599 kW (814 CV) combined. This is the same hybrid architecture as the Sián, using a supercapacitor rather than a conventional lithium-ion battery. Supercapacitors charge and discharge faster than batteries and are lighter, but they store less energy. The hybrid system in this application provides performance enhancement and torque fill rather than electric-only range.
The 0-100 km/h time is 2.8 seconds. Top speed is 355 km/h. These are extraordinary figures for a car that makes specific design choices in favour of visual drama over outright aerodynamic efficiency.
What Makes It Memorable
The scissor doors remain, and they are as theatrical as ever. The exhaust exits through side pipes in the sill area – a detail that connects directly to the original Countach’s visual language. The interior references 1970s design elements while being thoroughly modern in execution.
Lamborghini says the 780 CV (574 kW) V12 is paired with the same hybrid motor group as the Sian FKP 37 and Sian Roadster.
Australian Market
Lamborghini built 112 units. Lamborghini Australia can confirm whether any were delivered here. If a car is offered for sale in Australia, ask for its delivery history and compliance paperwork.
The Resurrection Argument
Automotive revivalism is often handled badly. The nostalgic original is usually better than the tribute, and tributes frequently dilute the original’s reputation. The Countach LPI 800-4 is an exception. Lamborghini’s restraint in not producing it as a pure retro piece, combined with the genuine performance of its powertrain, means the car holds its own on its merits as well as on its heritage.
Verdict
The Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 is a resurrection done as well as this kind of project can be done. It is faithful to the original’s character without copying it, technically sophisticated without hiding behind its heritage, and it sounds and performs in ways that justify its existence independently of the name it carries. For collectors who value both historical connection and current relevance, the LPI 800-4 is one of the most compelling Lamborghinis ever made.
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