Lamborghini Countach Reviews

The wealthier streets of the Middle East are a traffic jam of supercars, where Ferraris, Bugatti Veyrons and Lamborghinis are as common as Corollas in an Aussie carpark.So how does the status-conscious gazillionaire stand out in that crowd? By adding cats to the household, and posting photos of them on social media. And we're not talking your usual internet cat meme. These are lions, tigers, cheetahs and leopards.The king of the cars is Humaid AlBuQaish, who has more than 425,000 followers on Instagram keen for snaps of his menagerie of big cats and exotic supercars -- garnished with his own up-close-and-personally-near-those-claws-and-teeth poses.And while he seems to be unworried about scratches to his body, he's even less concerned about the same fate befalling his collection of supercars. Several of his photos show his pets climbing on and over the cars, often joined by their owner.His photos are blatant enough to remove any suspicion of the big cats being illegally kept: a problem that has recently arisen in the Middle East, with more than 200 confiscated every year in the United Arab Emirates alone.AlBuQaish's social media profiles don't mention what he does for a living, but the number plates on his cars are largely from Sharjah, the third largest of the wealthy Emirates. And judging by the low numbers on the registration plates -- a local sign of traditional status rather than just mere money -- he's a young sheikh, and possibly part of the constitutional monarchy of the Al Qasimi dynasty that has ruled there since 1972.What is clear is that when it comes to internet cat photos, everybody else may as well pack up their cameras, phones and tablets. AlBuQaish is the winner, all paws down.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

The Lamborghini dealership brings the luxury Italian car back to the city following the closure of Sydney’s William St store several years ago after it went into receivership. The dealership has opened right before the launch of its new superstar, the Huracan, which is the Gallardo’s replacement.Dealer principal Dwyer Ogle said the newly-opened dealership was good news for NSW’s Lamborghini lovers. “If you have to become a Lamborghini dealer and if you have to open that dealership one month before the launch of the newest model, it is good to be in close proximity to Leichhardt, which is renowned for excellence in all things Italian. We think it is a pretty good location,” he said.“Traditionally the inner west is where most Lamborghinis were sold, which sometimes surprises people who would expect it to be the eastern suburbs.“The majority of orders for the new model are coming from inner west-based customers.” The Huracan made its auto show debut at the 2014 Geneva Auto Show and is scheduled to be released in the second quarter of 2014.The Gallardo was Lamborghini’s most successful model, selling more than 14,000 cars in its lifetime and representing 75 per cent of all Lamborghinis ever sold.Sydney’s Lamborghini enthusiasts were treated to a sneak peak of the vehicle at an event held by Autosports Lamborghini Sydney recently, which meant guests had the chance to check out the car even before its launch at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this month.The dealership is owned by the Sydney-based Autosports group, which includes Audi’s Five Dock dealership and employs more than 200 inner west locals. It also has the only Australian Lamborghini-approved collision repair centre, Autohaus Prestige, which is located in Five Dock.Mr Ogle said there was a lot to admire about the Huracán. The Lamborghini’s V10-powered Huracán can go from 0-200km/h in just 9.9 seconds and the car weighs just 1422kg. “The idea of the car is absolute extreme performance coupled with everyday useability in terms of its behaviour on the road,” he said.“Stick it on the track and it is a weapon, stick it on the road and it is as mild-mannered as most other motor cars.The 2010 Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera is now being replaced by Huracan. “The days of people accepting their supercars as highly strung creatures are over. People want to enjoy their cars and go away on the weekends with them.”The dealership also sells Fiats and Alfa Romeos and has already received a rush of orders for the Huracán. Autosports Lamborghini Sydney boasts a state-of-the-art interactive program where prospective customers can custom design their own vehicle and then place an order.The Huracan:- Price starts at $465,000- The car is powered by a 5.2 litre V10 engine, produces 448kW and 560Nm of torque- Can hit 200km/h in 9.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 325km/hLove your Lambos? Then watch this space - one of our journalists is planning to go for a spin in a Lamborghini next month.

When Mercedes invited us to the Race the Runway charity event at Edinburgh Airport, we lept at the chance.

A car that comes with a drone to see what’s causing the traffic snarl ahead, another that accepts deliveries while you’re at work, and a self driving car with seats that face backwards.

You don't often see cars on display at boat shows. But in this case there's a solid reason for a Lamborghini Aventador LP 720-4 50th Anniversario Roadster -- one of just 100 built -- to be showcased at the 2014 Miami International Boat Show.Gino Gargiulo's Aventador comes with a 48-foot MTI offshore racing boat, customised to match its wealthy owner's car. The customisation includes matching the Aventador's signature headlight and tail-light designs, plus replicating features from the interior, including the steering wheel.And while the boat's twin 993kW Mercury engines might outgun the car's 529kW 6.5-litre V12, it seems that's not enough watergoing power for the owner, who has ordered a couple of 1213kW engines to replace the Mercury pair.MTI (Marine Technology Inc) is one of the world's leading race boat manufacturers, and their product starts at eye-watering prices in standard spec. Neither the boatmaker nor the owner have revealed any information about what the Aventaboat customisation cost, but you can expect it wasn't cheap.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

The New York motor show in April will see the announcement of which vehicle has won the 2014 World COTY, and there looks to be a tough -- and very varied -- field of finalists.Last year's winner was the Volkswagen Golf, which also took awards in pretty well every country on the globe. But this year it could be anything from the little electric BMW i3 to the offroading Jeep Cherokee and even the Citroen C4 peoplemover, judging by the shortlist.A panel of 69 motoring experts from around the world -- including Carsguide's Paul Gover and National Motoring Editor Joshua Dowling -- will choose the winner from: Audi A3, BMW 4 Series, BMW i3, Cadillac CTS, Citroen C4 Picasso, Ford Fusion/Mondeo, Infiniti Q50, Jeep Cherokee, Lexus IS, Mazda3, Peugeot 308 and Skoda Octavia.The 10 finalists for the 2014 World Luxury Car are the Bentley Flying Spur, BMW X5, Cadillac ELR, Cadillac Escalade, Maserati Ghibli, Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Porsche Macan, Range Rover Sport and Rolls-Royce Wraith.Due to a tie, there are 11 finalists for the 2014 World Performance Car: Alfa Romeo 4C, Audi RS 6 Avant, BMW M6 Gran Coupe, Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, Ferrari 458 Speciale, Ford Fiesta ST, Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster, Mercedes-Benz A/CLA45 AMG, Porsche 911 GT3, Porsche 911 Turbo and Volkswagen Golf GTI.A separate panel of five 'green' experts will choose the 2014 World Green Car from Audi A3 Sportback e-tron (+ Audi e-gas), BMW i3, Honda Accord Hybrid, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Volkswagen XL1.Similarly, a panel of five design experts will decide on the 2014 World Car Design of the Year, from among: BMW i3, Cadillac CTS, Citroen C4 Picasso, Mazda3, Lexus IS, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Volkswagen XL1.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

The 45-year-old will tackle the 12-hour sports car endurance race aboard the No. 99 Lamborghini Gallardo LP520 with long-time friend Peter Hill and gentleman racer Simon Middleton.The Hollywood actor has raced in the Bathurst enduro twice - leading the race in 2011 before his co-driver crashed out - and is excited to be back behind the wheel at the legendary Mount Panorama."I can't wait to get back to the circuit," the man behind the movie Love the Beast said on Tuesday. "The car is fantastic to drive, and the thought of competing once again with a couple of mates at this event is very exciting. I am thrilled that my calendar has allowed me to once again test myself at one of the worlds most demanding circuits."The car is the same one Bana tweeted about at a track day late last year, which led to he and former Formula 1 racer Mark Webber putting together plans to race together in next year's Bathurst 12 Hour.This time around Bana's car won't be a contender for outright honours, their 2008-model Lamborghini competing in Class B while a host of international and local sports car stars race for the win in Class A. "We are there to have some serious fun among an incredible line up of International A-Level Endurance Teams and Drivers."Read the full story at Fox Sports.No such thing as a bad day at @PICircuit, 2008 spec GT3 Lambo, time for another #Bathurst12hour ?? pic.twitter.com/W0eBGWpS7q— Eric Bana (@EricBana67) November 8, 2013

It's not uncommon to see real estate developers add sweeteners to lure buyers, but a Dubai-based firm is taking the trend to a higher level by offering new cars with residences in their latest tower project -- and this time around a 2014 Lamborghini Aventador for each of the penthouses. Those taking the lesser properties will have to make do with a BMW or Mini Cooper, depending on the size of the purchase -- which will probably make for some confusion in nearby shopping centre carparks unless different colours are chosen for each. The developers, Damac, are making the offers as part of their apartment deal during the annual Dubai Shopping Festival promotion. And it's not the first time the company has dangled 'extras' as consumer lures -- including cars, boats, planes and even other real estate. Last year's shopping festival saw Damac offer penthouses with an Audi R8, while the three-bedroom apartments each had a free Audi A8 in the car spot, two-bedroom ones scored an A6 and the one-bedders a somewhat more everyday A4. And in previous years the extras have included other luxury cars, motor yachts, and -- for a very exclusive promotion in 2008 -- an Eclipse 500 private jet and Pelican Caye Island, one of the few private islands on the Turneffe Atolla in the Caribbean. “Damac Properties’ DSF promotion is always highly anticipated and we see some of the best results of the year during this time,” the firm's senior vice-president Niall McLoughlin said in a statement. And the strong response is hardly surprising. The apartments should sell like hotcakes with the kind of icing they're offering. And at least if the tower isn't completed on time, you can camp in your Lamborghini while you wait for the tradies to finish. This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott  

There are exciting new releases planned across the board; from budget hatches to practical SUVs, to exotic supercars. We’ve broken them down into segments and likely price categories to help you. We've based our price estimations on the current market, but some estimations could change in the future, and some model ranges span across price categories, so be sure to check our other stories...New cars for 2014 | less than $20,000New cars for 2014 | $20,000-$40,000New cars for 2014 | $40,000-$59,000New cars for 2014 | $59,000-$100,000LUXURY CARSAudi A8: Audi will refresh its A8 flagship sedan lineup by mid-2014, with subtle styling tweaks and interior details, along with shuffled drivetrain options. (Approximately $188,000-$249,000)Audi RS7 Sportback: Essentially a five-door hatch version of the existing RS6 Avant, the RS7 will arrive in February with sleeker Sportback styling than the wagon, and the same 412kW/700Nm 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. 0-100km/h is the same 3.9 seconds too. (Approximately $240,000)Bentley Continental GT S: While Bentley prepares its first SUV model, there’s not much else in store for 2014 from the legendary Brit aside from powered-up new S models added to the V8 Continental GT lineup. (Approximately $380,000)Jaguar XJR: Jaguar will add the new XJR to its XJ big sedan lineup in the first quarter, with the 5.0-litre supercharged V8 performance flagship to sit above the existing Supersport range-topper. (Approximately $350,000)Lexus RC: Lexus’ new RC coupe should arrive before the end of 2014 to take on the BMW 4 Series and Audi A5, with a choice of petrol V6 and hybrid drivetrains likely to expand to include a high-performance 5.0-litre V8 RC-F soon after. (Approximately $70,000-$130,000)Maserati Quattroporte and Ghibli: 2014 is set to be a big year for Maserati, with the new Quattroporte (Approximately from $250,000) arriving in V6 form in January, and V8 form in February, with the return of the smaller Ghibli sedan ( Approximately from $150,000) in March.Mercedes-Benz S-Class: Mercedes will cap its local S-Class sedan lineup in January, with the arrival of the $385,000 S63 AMG high performance model. The 430kW/900Nm twin-turbo V8 S63 will sit above the existing S350 and S500 models, and be joined by the diesel-electric S350 BlueTec hybrid and twin-turbo V6 S400 variants by June. (Approximately $250,000-$385,000)Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe: Mercedes’ upcoming S-Class Coupe is expected down under before the year’s end, with the yet to be officially revealed new model replacing the existing CL coupe models. A drop-top version is also planned, and a V8 and V12 petrol-only lineup is expected with an entry price north of $300,000 likely.Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid: The plug-in Panamera E-Hybrid is also due early in the year, with a supercharged 3.0-litre V6 and 70kW electric motor to enable 3.1L/100km fuel use with 0-100km/h acceleration in 5.5 seconds. (Approximately $296,900)SUV/4WDLand Rover Range Rover: Before mid-year, Land Rover will add a range-topping lineup (Approximately $250,000) with new hybrid versions of it and the Sport expected before the end of the year. (Approximately $102,000-$182,000)Porsche Macan: Porsche will add the new sub-Cayenne Macan SUV to its Australian lineup from June, with the cheapest diesel model forming a new entry point to Porsche ownership at $84,900. Twin-turbo 3.0 and 3.6-litre V6s will sit further up the price scale, with the 294kW top-spec capable of 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds. (Approximately $84,900-$122,900)SPORTS/PERFORMANCEAston Martin V12 Vantage S: Aston will add its fastest model this side of the ultra-exclusive One-77 in the first quarter of this year, in the form of the track-ready V12 Vantage S coupe. (Approximately $450,000)BMW M3 and M4: BMW’s new M3 and M4 mid-size performance heroes are set to arrive after mid-year, with the move to twin-turbo six power resulting in the fastest M3 to date, and matched by the renamed M4 coupe. (Approximately $124,000-$180,000)BMW i8: The i8 plug-in hybrid sports car is expected to arrive before the year’s end, blending grand tourer luxury with 4.4 second 0-100km/h acceleration and 2.5L/100km fuel economy. (Approximately $200,000)Ferrari 458 Speciale: The first of 60 Australian examples of Ferrari’s hardcore 458 Speciale are set to arrive before mid-year, with the lighter, more powerful track-focused special able to lap Fiorano 1.5 seconds faster than the old Enzo flagship. (Approximately $550,000)Jaguar F-Type Coupe: Jaguar will add the recently unveiled Coupe version of its stunning F-Type in the third quarter, with the 20kg lighter V6, V6 S and V8 S variants also expected to slightly undercut their soft-top counterparts on price. The Coupe-only F-Type R will sit at the top of the hardtop range, with the 404kW/680Nm spec V8 promising 0-100km/h acceleration in the order of 4.2 seconds. (Approximately $125,000-$200,000)Lamborghini Huracan: With the Gallardo now officially out of production, Lamborghini is keen to follow with its Huracan replacement to sit beneath the V12 Aventador models before June. The V10 Huracan is set to challenge Ferrari’s 458 with an uprated version of the Gallardo’s 5.2-litre V10 and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. From $428,000Nissan GT-R: Nissan will bring its latest incarnation of the GT-R performance coupe down under from March, with cosmetic upgrades the key changes for 2014. New LED headlights and taillights are changed for the first time since 2007, and mesh wheels keep Nissan’s giant-killer a fresh opponent for Porsche’s new 911 Turbo models. (Approximately from $170,000)Porsche 911 Turbo and GT3: Porsche will launch several key hi-po versions of the 991 911 to its Australian lineup in the first half of 2014, with the $359,800 Turbo and $441,300 Turbo S arriving first in coupe and convertible ($29,000 premium) guises, with the $294,000 track-oriented and now PDK-only GT3 soon after.Porsche 911 Targa: The new semi-convertible unveiled in Detroit will touch down in Australia before mis-year, with a new folding roof mechanism and all-wheel drive 4 and 4S versions. Both manual and PDK auto will be available, and prices will sit $2,300-$3,300 over existing Cabriolet models. (Approximately $247,900-$291,050)CONVERTIBLESAston Martin Vanquish Volante: For those who prefer their V12 Astons roofless and with a back seat, Aston will bring the Vanquish Volante to Australia in the first quarter of 2014. (Approximately $510,000)Bentley Continental GTC S: Like the hardtop GT, the soft top Continental GTC is set to score a powered up S model in 2014. (Approximately $420,000)BMW 4 Series convertible: The folding hardtop version of BMW’s 4-Series coupe is expected by March, and echo its hardtop sibling with 420d, 428i, and 435i drivetrains. (Approximately $85,000-$120,000)   

After several days of leaked images and teased details, Lamborghini has finally shown us the Huracan LP 610-4 that replaces the exiting 10-year-old Gallardo. And to give us a taste of what will arrive, they've released a video that follows the exploits of some lads who sneak into the Lambo HQ to get a sneak look and spin of the Huracan.Named in Lambo tradition for a fighting bull -- Huracan faced the matador in Spain's Alicante bullring in August 1879 -- the car will be unveiled at Geneva motor show in March and go on sale after being seen by prospective buyers in a series of private viewings around the world.Watch the Lamborghini Huracan 'home video' As expected, the Huracan is powered by an uprated version of the Gallardo's 5.2-litre V10, developing  448kW of power at 8250rpm and 560Nm of torque peaking at 6500rpm, mated to a new twin-clutch transmission derived from the system used in VW Group stablemate Audi R8.Watch three Lamborghinis crash and burn togetherThe new DSG delivers outputs to all corners, with the four-wheel drive system upgraded to add electronically switchable modes -- Strada (street), Sport, and Corsa (track) -- that alter the gearbox and engine settings, exhaust note, drive system and stability control.Watch the Lamborghini Gallardo track testLamborghini claims a 0-100km/h time of 3.2 seconds, 0-200km/h in 9.9, and a top speed of more than 325km/h, while keeping fuel economy to 12.5L/100km. That fuel figure is achieved with the help of a stop-start system and a weight of just 1422kg with diet strategies including the use of aluminium and carbon-fibre spaceframe chassis -- like the gearbox, adapted from the R8.Watch the Lamborghini LP-5704 Squadra Corse on the trackThe Huracan gets carbon-ceramic brakes as standard fitment, while the options include magnetic active suspension and electronically controlled variable steering ration system. Future Huracan versions are likely to include rear-wheel drive and convertible variants, but there is no manual gearbox on the plan now or in the future.The Huracan will arrive in Australia mid-2014 priced from $428,000, a rise of close to $20,000 over the current $409,500 entry level Gallardos but carrying the extra standard spec of carbon brakes, DSG and multi-mode four-wheel drive that will make it seem a bargain against the outgoing $541,500 Superleggera variants.This reporter is on twitter: @KarlaPincott