Lamborghini Countach Reviews

...or perhaps a signature Italian shrug at the thought of it — Lamborghini has unveiled its most expensive model ever. The Reventon Roadster will cost about the equivalent of $2 million base price — but you’d better be quick because only 15 will be built.The car is essentially a topless version of the Reventon coupe, which itself came in an edition of just 20, costing about $1.8 million. It will carry the same 6.5-litre V12 engine, which develops 493kW of power and 660Nm of torque, which gets it from 0 to 100km/h in a snappy 3.4 seconds and to a top speed of 330km/h.Launching the car for Frankfurt motor show, Lamborghini boss Stephan Winkelmann said the Reventon Roadster is the "most extreme expression of the brand". Quite. And that’s starting from a fairly high base.

Lamborghini is going ahead with a plan to build 250 limited edition rear-drive V10 Gallardo supercars, bearing the retiring chief Lamborghini test driver's name.The rear-wheel drive LP 550-2 will be based on the all-wheel drive Gallardo.Just five are slotted for delivery to Australian buyers by the end of the year with a pricetag of around $479,000. Importer Andrew Smith says, the limited edition car's exclusivity means it will cost a tad more than the all-wheel drive LP 560-4.However, for those who miss out on the Balboni car, a lower cost rear-drive Gallardo is in the wings, he says. "However, there won't be a Spider version of it," he says.The regular rear-drive Gallardo could land here around $435,000 and go head to head with the Audi R8, Ferrari 430 and upper end Porsches. Removing the all-wheel drive system out of the car shaves off about 120kg in weight.The car will hit 100km/h in 3.9 seconds and has a top speed of 320km/h.To make sure the rear-drive Lambo loses none of the grip or performance of its all-wheel drive brother, it gets different springs, dampers, stabiliser bars, different aerodynamics and new tyres.The robotised sequential E-gear transmission has been upgraded to cope with the torque through the rear wheels alone, along with a stronger rear axle. The rear axle also gets a 45 per cent limited slip differential and modified electronic stability control, which enables great drift angles in the car's Corsa performance mode.Power comes from a naturally aspirated 405kW 5.2-litre V10, down 7kW from the all-wheel drive model.Visually the limited edition car gets different front and rear bumpers, a more aggressive rear diffuser and a retro white strip across the roof, bonnet and boot.Inside the Gallardo gets black leather upholstery, a badge bearing Valentino Balboni's signature, a transparent engine cover, and navigation system with Bluetooth connectivity.Balboni joined Lamborghini in 1967 and has driven about 80 per cent of all Lamborghini cars.

Just days after the cancellation of the British Motor Show, the first major international casualty of the global economic downturn, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association has decided to shorten this year's Tokyo show in October by four days.The decision for the 41st running of the event comes with a growing number of no-shows.In addition to America's big three _ Chrysler, Ford and General Motors _ the list of cancellations for 2009 runs to Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Renault, Lamborghini, Hino Motors, Isuzu, Mitsubishi Fuso (trucks and buses) and Nissan Diesel.All have blamed the economic slump and the list is expected to grow.Chinese and Korean carmakers will also stay away.That is why JAMA, which earlier this year seriously considered cancelling the show altogether, has also decided to downsize the area used from the normal four halls to possibly as few as two at the giant Makuhari Messe site in Chiba prefecture, one hour east of Tokyo.But all is not lost. According to one source close to Toyota, the world's biggest carmaker will inject extra effort into this year's show in an attempt to stimulate the market.The Toyota source says the production version of the V10-powered Lexus LF-A supercar will be held back from its planned debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show to star in Tokyo, while the company will also reveal a car rumoured to have been put on hold _ the Toyota-Subaru joint-venture rear-wheel drive sedan that employs an Impreza platform and drivetrain.Toyota will also display a full range of hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles as well as the latest EV and battery technology.Originally scheduled to run from October 23 to November 8, the show's new closing date will be November 4. 

This is the Italian manufacturer’s best-selling car in full-thrust mode at its international launch on the volcanic Spanish island of Tenerife off the coast of Morocco last week.The locals don't get to see a lot of super sportscars on the tiny tourist island, so the appearance of the Gallardo Spyder, named like all Lambos after a famous Spanish fighting bull, elicits cries of Dale cana which means step on it.We oblige and the Spyder rockets to 100km/h in just four seconds, down an imperceptible 0.34 seconds on the previous model.The convertible will arrive in Australia in July costing $502,000, which is $47,000 more than the coupe.For that you get a powered soft top in black, blue, grey or beige that goes up or down in about 20 seconds, allowing the driver and passenger to more fully appreciate the unique wail of the 5.2-litre V10 engine it shares with the coupe.The new driveline, featuring Iniezione Diretta Stratificata direct fuel injection, reduces fuel consumption with CO2 emissions down 18 per cent, but still an unhealthy 330g/km.Power is up 29 kilowatts to 412kW or 560 horsepower, hence the models name, while weight is down 20kg.Automobili Lamborghini: research and development director Maurizio Reggiani says this improves the all-important power-to-weight ratio."The key ingredients of this car are four-wheel-drive traction, a low power-to-weight ratio and its easy to drive with energy efficiency," he says.Brand director Manfred Fitzgerald says it is an "extreme car" with an "extreme set-up" and is not a daily driver.Company president and CEO Stephan Winkelmann disagrees."This is a daily driver even though our customers dont buy it for an everyday car," he says.They are both right to some degree.DrivingAround the narrow town streets, the Spyder feels too wide yet ambles along nicely in full automatic transmission mode.On downshifts it blips the throttle giving the impression of a talented driver behind the wheel and exciting the excitable locals with its throaty F1 growl.The suspensions extreme set-up requires judicious approaches to traffic calming so we set the optional front axle suspension lift system to the highest setting.This only works up to 70km/h, as we soon find out on the steep and twisty hillclimb to the 3000m crater of El Teide, the volcano which dominates the island of Tenerife.With the top down, I begin to get an ice-cream headache from the cold and dizzying heights as we hurtle upwards on the billiard-table smooth road surface.Suddenly the road resurfacing funding runs out and it becomes bumpy. The extremely low front spoiler immediately bottoms out with a sickening scrape, leaving a nasty gash, and we back right off.This may be an easy-to-drive supercar, but its extreme set-up takes it out of the realms of a daily driver.Like the coupe, the convertible features 4WD with a 30-70 per cent torque split front to rear at constant speed, a mechanical differential on the rear axle which provides up to 45 per cent limited slip, and an electronic differential lock at the front.All this serves to increase lateral force and provide maximum thrust, Reggiani says.The hairpin turns on the volcano hillclimb are a perfect testing ground for his claims of lateral force.The Spyder complies by sticking to the road with neutral manners and almost none of the usual flex and scuttle shake associated with convertibles.The low-assistance steering provides an almost go-kart feel of direct connection to the front wheels.True to Lamborghini’s claims, the open cockpit presents little buffeting, even up to 160km/h with the rear glass windscreen and side windows up.For safety, it features two spring-loaded rollover bars behind the seats which deploy in 250 milliseconds in a roll-over while the seat belt tensioners spring into action.We avoid testing this function and finally reach the volcanos crater where tourist groups have milled to photograph the stunning moonscape scenery. As we arrive, the lenses are re-focused on the origami-style Spyder instead and the tourists ask us to photograph them standing beside the car.It is a real head-turner in any colour, but the new and expensive optional matte black, white and brown are the standouts.On the downhill run the steel Brembo brakes get a solid workout and although there is no hint of fade, the pedal feels a bit soft with a lack of initial bite which is unusual for a supercar.An obvious drawback for the rear-engined Spyder is the limited 110 litres of front cargo capacity; just enough for one medium-sized suitcase or a couple of back packs.The hip-high car is also difficult to access and step out of.I found the cockpit rather cramped for leg space and with the seat all the way back the leather created an annoying squeak against the rear bulkhead.The sport seats are nicely contoured without being tight, although they are too narrow at the shoulders and are very hard on bony backsides.Fitzgerald says Spyder customers are 95 per cent male, but more women are attracted to the convertible.It is also the most important product in their two-car stable.Murcielago accounts for 25 per cent of sales, while Gallardo accounts for the other 75 per cent with 60 per cent of that being the Spyder.He says 95 per cent preferred the e.gear auto sequential transmission which features a standard program, a sport mode with shorter shift times and a racetrack-oriented corsa program.Electronic stability is active in all drive programs, engaging later in the sport and corsa modes and reducing the impact of the traction control. The corsa mode also permits greater drift, however close rock walls on the narrow roads put a stop to any intentions of drifting.At speeds of more than the sign-posted 120km/h highway, an automatically-deploying rear spoiler increases the down force on the rear wheels.We flow with the traffic which seems to disregard the posted speed signs and allow the spoiler to work its magic.The Spyder comes standard with driver, passenger and side air-bags; dual-zone climate control with sun regulator; stereo system with USB interface; sports seats with electrically adjustable back rests; leather upholstery and bi-xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lights.Options include a navigation system, a hands-free Bluetooth mobile phone connection, anti-theft device, a rear view camera, the front axle lift system, ceramic brakes.PRICE: $502,000ENGINE: 5.2-litre, 4-valve V10POWER: 412kW @ 8000rpmTORQUE: 540Nm @ 6500rpmTRANSMISSION: 6 speed manual, or 6-speed sequential e.gear automaticECONOMY: 14 litres/100km (combined)CO2 EMMISSIONS: 330g/km

Automobili Lamborghini president and CEO Stephan Winkelmann is confident the Italian manufacturer can ride out the current economic crisis."The worldwide market for luxury goods is down about 40 per cent and is affecting everything from fashion to watches, not just the car industry," he says."We are not immune to global recession, so we are working on how to counterbalance the tough times ahead."We are focussing on staying profitable and will keep a positive balance sheet this year and keeping brand image high."Production director Enrico Ranieri says it is difficult to predict how many cars they will produce this year, but says numbers will be down."We will cut factory hours rather than lay off staff," he says.Winkelmann avoids talking production numbers and says product diversification is the important part of their four-part business strategy."We have the youngest and widest product range for years and want to keep it that way with at least one new product every year,' he says at the launch in the Spanish Canary Islands of the Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder convertible."The Spyder is the most important car in terms of volume for years to come," he says.Lamborghini will also this year launch a limited edition of 50 Murcielago LP 670-4 Super Veloces which debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in February.It has 15 kilowatts more power, 100kg less weight, top seed of 342km/h and a 0-100km/h time of 3.2 seconds."The future of super sports cars is not about outright power, but more important is less weight for a greater power-to-weight ratio," Winkelmann says.He says the company is also investing in research to reduce greenhouse carbon-dioxide emissions 40 per cent reduction by the next decade.The current Gallardo is down 18 per cent on the previous model."We are investing heavily in research and development investment which is 8 per cent of our turnover which is higher than our competitor," he says.Another key recession-busting strategy is to have a balanced market distribution of one third of their sales in the Americas, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region."For sure, Australia will be an important part of that strategy," Winkelmann says."Having a good balance will help the company when the recession ends because it will end at different times around the world."The third strategy is brand diversification with more investment in their clothing and accessories."Profit and turnover in this area is up but we have a long way to go," he says.The final strategy is to meet customer expectations with factory and museum tours, Lamborghini Academy track days, Giro Lamborghini club days and the Super Trofeo one-make racing series in Europe. 

That's Lamborghini's dictum.Automobili Lamborghini president and CEO Stephan Winkelmann dismisses the trends of competitors such as Porsche with its Cayenne and now Aston Martin which will rebirth the Lagonda name as an SUV.Winklemann says the future for super sports companies such as the Italian firebrand is with four-wheel-drive sports cars, not four-wheel-drive Toorak tractors."SUV has no future anymore," he says."We would be killed by the public if we did an SUV."It might work in Russia, but not anywhere else."For us, four-wheel-drive sports cars are important as a unique selling point."However, the company is embracing the trend among super luxury sports car companies to add two more doors.Porsche this year will launch the Panamera, Aston Martin plans to release a four-door Rapide and Lamborghini has debuted its Estoque concept.But Winklemann is cautious about adding to its two-door Gallardo and Murcielago coupes and convertibles."For the moment we will stick with our two-car strategy," he says."There is little doubt that it (Estoque) would double the sales volume for Lamborghini."However, in this economic situation going to three models would be something that would double our efforts and not necessarily double our profits."For the moment it is too much of a risk."So the Estoque (pronounced Ess-tock) is on hold."If we would do a third model it would be a car like the Estoque," Winklemann says."It is what our four-door product would look like; a 2+2 with a coupe look."But it would have to have a business case, not just a product because we like it."Winkelmann also rejected following competitors into turbo-diesel, electric or hydrogen power trains, but said they would consider hybrid systems and technologies such as regenerative braking. 

Fast and flashy. That's the Geneva show of 2009 in two words.

Lamborghini used the Geneva Motor Show to unveil its new Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce, a more powerful, lighter and faster development of the Murcielago.The LP 670-4 SuperVeloce is even more powerful, lighter and faster than the Murcielago LP 640.With the output of the 6.5 litre V12 increased to 500kW and a 100kg weight reduction, the two-seater boasts a power-to-weight ratio of 2.3 kg per litre.This catapults it 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 342km/h via an all-wheel drive system that is split 35/65 front and rear.Distinctive design refinements ensure that each of the 350-unit limited edition cars looks distinctive.The sportscar has been extensively redesigned with a new front and rear, an innovative engine bonnet and a choice of two aerodynamic set-ups featuring either a small or large rear spoilers.The interior in Alcantara and carbon fibre provides a purist and minimalist approach.In order to slash the weight by 100kg the SuperVeloce was extensively reworked from chassis to engine and transmission, right through to the interior.The lift in engine power is the result of optimized valve timing and a reworked intake system.The significantly modified aerodynamics with substantially increased downforce brings considerable improvement to vehicle stability at very high speeds.With the small standard-fit rear spoiler, top speed stands at 342 km/h, while the large “Aeropack Wing” gives a top speed of 337 km/h.Visually the SuperVeloce gets plenty of matt black paint, carbon fibre front spoiler and redesigned front end.The large air intakes for the front brakes are more powerfully emphasized and new front mudguards have additional air intakes for brake ventilation. The air vent for the oil cooler located in the driver-side sill area is painted matt black to match the sills.The modifications are even more apparent around the engine bay.The 12-cylinder engine is presented under a transparent engine bonnet.The rear is dominated by a flat and extremely wide exhaust pipe and, on the underside, by a two-level diffuser system finished entirely in carbon fibre.The rear light clusters display their signals in that distinctive Y-shape that has been a fixed element of Lamborghini design since the Murcielago LP 640, Reventon and Gallardo LP 560-4.The panel between the lights is made from carbon fibre, while the large intake mesh below expands across the full width of the rear end. Made from thick-walled aluminum, the hexagonal pattern is laser-cut and a Teflon coating provides the necessary heat protection.The car’s structure uses a composite construction of extremely stiff carbon components and a tubular steel frame, as in a race car.The transmission tunnel and the floor are made of carbon fibre, attached to the steel frame using rivets and high-strength adhesives.The roof and the exterior door panels are formed in sheet steel, while the rest of the outer skin is made from carbon composite material.The SuperVeloce is equipped as standard with the sequential, automated manual transmission e.gear, which uses electro-hydraulics to shift gear extremely quickly and smoothly. A cockpit display informs the driver of the gear currently engaged.The car is also available with a six-speed manual transmission. 

Lamborghini has the answer with its Gallardo Spyder LP560-4, which makes its show debut along with the coupe version and Murcielago LP640 coupe.The Gallardo LP560-4 coupe and Spyder arrive mid-year. They share a 5.2-litre V10 engine, bolted into an aluminium spaceframe chassis with aluminium and thermoplastic body panels.The V10 develops 412kW at 8000 revs and 540Nm at 6500 revs, which in the Spyder gives it a top speed of 324km/h and a zero-100km sprint time of 3.7 seconds.The Spyder puts all this power to the ground through a six-speed robotic sequential gearbox and all-wheel drive.The Murcielago LP640 pumps out 471kW and 660Nm from its 6.5-litre V12 engine.Not surprisingly, the Murcielago is quick too, reaching 100km/h in 3.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 340km/h. The 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show... 

UPDATED - The Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa (shown here) set a new world record for a car sold at auction on the 17th May 2009. 0714TR reached 12 million dollars US at RM Auctions Leggenda e Passione Ferrari auction in Maranello.  For me it’s the car in the photo gallery on the right. However the judgement of the most authoritative list of automotive experts ever assembled to make such a decision voted the Citroen DS21 to be the car. This panel included Gioretto Giugaro, Marcello Gandini and Gordon Murray, three of the most respected names in the industry and themselves responsible for such legendary cars as the Lamborghini Countach, Lancia Startos and McLaren F1.This past weekend at the Paris Retromobile, a Citroen DS Chapron Convertible sold at by auction by Bonhams  for just under A$650,000. The Chapron Convertible is the rarest and even more beautiful version of the DS21.Personally while I greatly admire the DS, it does not make my top ten list, which comprises;1.    1957 Ferrari 250 TR2.    Ferrari 250GT SWB California Spyder3.    1963 Ferrari 250GTO4.    Ferrari 246GT5.    Lamborghini Muira6.    Ferrari P47.    Ferrari 206SP8.    Mercedes 300SLR Coupe9.    Maserati 5000GT by Touring10.  Jaguar E-Type S111.  Ferrari 365GTB/4 DaytonaGiven my long term fascination with everything Ferrari I am interested to see how the auction of 0714TR will fare at Ferrari Leggenda e Passione in  Maranello, on 17 May 2009. This is the car that can (and should) break the current world sale record of $10.8m (currently A$16.6m) for the 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder (s/n 2377GT) set at last year’s Ferrari Leggenda e Passione on 18 May 2008.The 1957 Pontoon Fender 250TR is one of the true legends of the Ferrari marque and generally considered one of the most desirable models by Ferrari cognoscenti. This particular example is unique and beautifully restored in its original black color scheme. Delivered to Piero Drogo; himself a substantial character within the history of Ferrari and extensively campaigned in races North and South America this car has the potential even in the current economic climate to blow the current record away.We will update you with the result in May. Rod Halligan