Lamborghini Countach
Lamborghini Countach LP400
The Lamborghini Countach [ kuŋtaʧ ] is a sports car of the car manufacturer Lamborghini and was produced from 1974 to 1990. His name is often pronounced in German [ kaʊn.tɘtʃ ].
Etymology
The name Countach results from an exclamation in a dialect of Piedmont - border region of Switzerland. The orthographically not specified word Countach is an exclamation which combines astonishment and admiration in itself, and can not " surpassable " be translated as " non plus ultra" or.
Genesis
The Countach was with the mid-engine variant of the Ferrari 365 the most important trendsetters in the sports car market in the 70s. In early March of the year 1971, Lamborghini LP500 before a called design concept at the Geneva Motor Show. Originally no series production of the vehicle was planned, but the study found a positive response so that you can be subsequently decided otherwise at Lamborghini. However, it was initially an LP400 with a 4 -liter V12 already known. LP stands for Longitudionale posterior ( " länggerichtet backward " ), which refers to the position of the engine. In contrast to the central engine of the predecessor Lamborghini Miura that of the Countach is mounted longitudinally as previously introduced for motor sports prototypes. Unusually the rear wheel drive with five-speed gearbox is in front of the motor and a shaft through the oil pan to the differential gear.
A prototype of the Countach was presented in March 1973 at the Geneva Motor Show the public, especially to the oil crisis. Lamborghini kept the car for so good that it had to sell his opinion anyway. In March of the following year, the fully developed model was also presented at the Geneva Motor Show. The first vehicle was delivered on 11 April 1974. Unlike the study, the production cars were special air intakes in the flanks and large air intakes on the rear fender.
Model history
From 1974 to 1978, the car was offered as a Lamborghini Countach LP400. It had a V12 engine with 3,929 cc displacement and engine power of 276 kW ( 375 hp). In contrast to the platform frame of the Miura the Countach has a lattice frame, the bodywork was designed by Marcello Gandini of Bertone the house, but was produced by Lamborghini itself.
What were soft curves at the Miura, Countach turns the angular and aggressive represents the windshield is extremely flat and the scissor doors open up in a semicircle upwards and forwards. The LP400 was ten years the fastest Lamborghini, not least because stricter pollution regulations, especially in the United States necessitated a reduction of engine power. Only when the LP500S Lamborghini endowed with considerably more displacement, the performance of 1974 was reached again.
In the years 1978 to 1982, the Lamborghini Countach LP400S was offered. It has the same engine as the LP400, but with slightly reduced power of 261 kW ( 355 hp ) and has a redesigned body with flared fenders and a front spoiler. For the first time a striking rear wing was optional, which should increase the downforce on the rear axle. As an example, the customer's vehicle of the Canadian oil magnate Walter Wolf served ( see below).
After following facelift LP500S Countach was produced from 1982 to 1985 the Lamborghini. This model had a larger V12 engine with 4754 cc and a power output of 276 kW ( 375 hp).
In 1985 he was the Lamborghini Countach LP5000S Quattrovalvole or short Countach QV LP5000S. The engine capacity was increased to 5,167 cc, the engine output increased to 335 kW ( 455 hp ). This model has an engine with four valves per cylinder, as was the model name suggests ( Quattro ( it.) = Four; Valvole ( it.) = valves). In this model, the hood is curved slightly outward in order to provide enough space for the larger engine. This model was produced until 1988.
In 1988, an interim version was launched, this differs optically sills with integrated air intakes for the rear brakes, automatic air conditioning is installed in the interior, as is to be found in the following Anniversary.
The last series, the built 1988-1990 Lamborghini Countach 25 Anniversary, anniversary model 25 Best Hung Year of company established in 1963, Automobili Lamborghini represents the engine power was not increased, however, found changes take place on the body. In addition to redesigned rear lights and the intermediate panel side skirts with air inlets and a revised front bumper with side air intakes were used.
Prototypes and custom
Countach LP500
In contrast to the later production versions of the LP500 has a chassis made of steel plates, and also a steel body. Regarding the performance figures are no reliable values available, since the car was constantly changing and never officially tested by the press.
Walter Wolf Countach
1975 asked the multi-millionaire Walter Wolf the then Chief Engineer Dallara to revise the Countach something. Besides small changes to the body ( similar to the LP only available from 1978 400 S ) including a greatly enlarged rear wing and a special interior, especially the engine has been changed. They built the 5 -liter V12 engine used in the study here. The nearly 330 kW ( 448 hp) accelerate this model to more than 315 km / h Newly developed Pirelli tires provide the necessary grip. According to various sources, three copies were produced. The first copy, painted in red with the number 1120148 is located in Japan, another, blue lacquered in Germany ( number 1120202 ). Wolf himself owned a blue Countach ( number 1121210 ), whose current whereabouts are unknown.
Countach Turbo S
In 1984, Ferruccio Lamborghini gave the order for the production of two supercharged by two turbochargers prototypes. The 4.8 L 12 - cylinder was then elicits 748 hp and 876 Nm of torque through the steam valve by between 0.7 and 1.5 bar adjustable boost pressure, what a top speed of 333 km / h and acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h was sufficient in 3.6 seconds. This vehicle was the fastest road car at that time. Today, the first vehicle produced is lost and the second black vehicle in the hands of a Swabian business.
Countach Evoluzione
The Lamborghini Countach Evoluzione was the first prototype for a Countach successor. The special thing about him was the empty weight of 980 kg. The reason was that the car was for the most part from kohlenstofffaserverstärkem resin. It was also dispensed with a paint finish to save weight. The engine comes from the Countach, but makes 360 kW at 7500 rpm. The top speed is 330 km / h; It accelerates in 4.2 seconds from zero to 100 km / h
Countach L150
The L150 project was a redesign of the Countach with temperature controlled slats instead of the large air intakes, an aerodynamically shaped front section and better integrated into the side fender flares. The only built prototype is now in a private collection in Japan. It has a 5.2 -liter V12 engine developing 335 kW ( 455 hp ) with 7000 rpm.