Performance Review: Lamborghini Countach LP500S - [1982]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Lamborghini Countach Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Lamborghini Countach LP500S is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1982. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V and the 1983 Ford Capri Tickford Turbo.This particular Lamborghini Countach has a 4754cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 12 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V12's includes the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12

The Countach shares its Petrol V12 engine configuration with the likes of the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12 and the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Countach's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1480 kgs (3262 lbs) this makes the Lamborghini Countach LP500S in the same weight category as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 or the give or take 50kg.

The Lamborghini Countach shares the same bhp with the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp)

In terms of power the 4754cc 24V V12 engine produces 375 bhp (279 kW) @ 7000 rpm similar to the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp) or the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (360 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V12 throws out 303 lb-ft (410.8 Nm) @ 4500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Lamborghini Countach you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2012 Ferrari California 30 F1 4.3l V8 (278.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Lamborghini Countach.

The Lamborghini Countach has a Power to weight ratio of 253.3 bhp per ton and 204.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1982 Countach competing with the 2012 Ferrari California 30 F1 4.3l V8 (278.3 bhp per ton) or the 1992 Ferrari 512 TR (278.1 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Lamborghini Countach generating around 204.7 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera T PDK (229.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 1959 Ferrari 410 Superamerica Series 3 (229.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.8 secs, this made the Lamborghini Countach LP500S as fast as the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T AWD (5.60 secs) the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T (5.60 secs) the 2020 Maserati Ghibli GranSport Petrol Hybrid (5.60 secs) the or the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (5.60 secs). This Lamborghini Countach LP500S is also faster than the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.70 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Wagon (5.70 secs) the 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi 2.0 Turbo Clubsport (5.70 secs) the and the 2014 Seat Leon Cupra 280 (5.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Countach and the 2013 Maserati Ghibli S 3.0 V6 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Lamborghini Countach on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.91 secs @ 105.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2013 Maserati Ghibli S 3.0 V6 Turbo (12.86 secs), the 1986 Ferrari 328 GTB 3.2 V8 (12.86 secs), and the 1968 Dodge Coronet Super Bee 6.3 V8 383 (12.87 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1982 version of the Lamborghini Countach LP500S has a maximum speed of 170mph.

Top Speed of the 1982 Countach equals the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 (181 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1982 Lamborghini Countach LP500S then how about the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 (181 mph), the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo 992 (181 mph), or the 2019 Aston-Martin DBX 4.0 V8 Turbo (181 mph).

Related Links:

1982 Countach Rivals List.

A Brief History of Lamborghini

Car Comparison