Lamborghini’s V-12 Era Is Coming to an End. These Two Cars Defined It.

As Lamborghini’s longstanding period of pure V-12 electric power will come to a shut, the carmaker states it will cling to the supernumerary powerplant configuration although adding hybrid technological know-how to the blend. Which is a gain for fanatics who are attached to cylinder rely (and can appreciate the boosted torque of included energy), but a blended bag for people with a tender place for the way factors had been. To understand where we are at this crossroads of electrification, let us consider a glance back again at two of Lamborghini’s dramatically various V-12 types.

The Countach: A Poster Auto Is Born

Lamborghini Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole - Credit: Lamborghini

Lamborghini Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole – Credit: Lamborghini

Lamborghini

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By 1971, Lamborghini was sizzling on the heels of the slinky Miura and completely ready to unveil the Countach. The wedge-shaped supercar was so wild on the lookout that its identify was allegedly lifted from the Piedmontese expletive uttered by a gobsmacked observer. But it was a lot more than a fairly confront: The Countach’s 12-cylinder powerplant was an essential signifier of excessive that matched the brand’s outlandish styling and negative boy picture. The adhere to-up to the Miura arranged the 60-diploma V-12 engine longitudinally instead than sideways, developing to 5. liters of displacement.

The supercar that would land on seemingly just about every kid’s poster begun lifestyle as a more minimalist design. Devoid of spoilers and fender flares, the so-named “Periscope” LP400 appealed on a diverse amount thanks to its alien appears to be like and clean, flush surfaces. Not till the debut of the intensely flared LP 400 S model in the movie The Cannonball Operate did the Countach land on posters everywhere you go, flaunting sexy hips, small-profile Pirelli P7 tires, and an angular rear wing.

The LM002: The “Rambo Lambo”

Lamborghini LM002 - Credit: Lamborghini

Lamborghini LM002 – Credit rating: Lamborghini

Lamborghini

Sports vehicle fanatics often revert to finger pointing at SUVs, but Lamborghini presciently adopted the genre prolonged before it was cool to diss sport ‘utes. Situation in level: the oddly named LM002, which leveraged the 5.2-liter V-12 from the afterwards Countach models and stuffed it into a boxy human body that later attained the nickname “Rambo Lambo,” partly inspired by one particular owned by Sylvester Stallone. Initially commissioned as a army motor vehicle less than the “Cheetah” moniker, the LM002 built numerous modifications to the V-12, which includes rotating it 180 levels in order to accommodate all-wheel travel hardware and trimming 20 hp so it could operate on less costly fuels identified in remote regions. No Lamborghini story is entire with out an absurd postscript, and in the LM002’s case it pertains to a distinctive product that was outfitted with a 700 horsepower, 7.2-liter V-12 usually reserved for offshore racing boats.

Long term Absurdity

If Lamborghini’s just-unveiled off-street Huracán is any indicator, the individuals in Sant’Agata still have their finger on the pulse for all factors absurd the slideways supercar lives just on the suitable side of outrageous. Tips just wacky adequate to perform have been a hallmark of model since Ferruccio Lamborghini shaped the enterprise in 1963 to spite Enzo Ferrari, and all indicators position to that pattern continuing. If searching back at 60 decades of V-12s teaches us something, it’s that adaptability can go both ways—launch a ludicrous motor, but amortize the hard work across various engines so it helps make sense. Here’s to hoping Lamborghini’s approaching hybrids are as sensational as their pure inner combustion engines of the earlier.

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