Description
The Lamborghini Countach LP 5000 S Quattrovalvole, introduced in 1985, represented the most powerful and technically advanced evolution of the legendary Countach line. It was the car that brought the Countach fully into the 1980s, combining the raw spirit of the original LP 400 with the refinement and ferocity demanded by a new generation of supercar enthusiasts. With its enlarged, four-valve V12 engine, dramatic styling, and unmistakable presence, the Quattrovalvole—or “QV”—became the definitive expression of Lamborghini’s audacious design and engineering philosophy.
The “Quattrovalvole” name referred to the introduction of four valves per cylinder, a major mechanical advancement that gave the car both more power and greater efficiency. The engine, now displacing 5,167 cc, featured double overhead camshafts per bank and twelve individual intake runners, fed by six Weber 44 DCNF carburetors. In European specification, it produced an astonishing 455 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 500 Nm of torque at 5,200 rpm, while U.S. versions equipped with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection developed around 420 horsepower. Mated to a five-speed manual gearbox, the QV could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.9 seconds and reach a top speed of over 295 km/h (183 mph), making it one of the fastest road cars in the world at the time.
The new V12 was not only larger and more complex but also physically taller due to its new cylinder heads. To accommodate this, Lamborghini raised the Countach’s rear engine deck slightly, creating the distinctive “humpback” appearance that immediately identified the Quattrovalvole. The rear cover featured prominent cooling louvres that emphasized the car’s power and gave it an even more muscular look. Mechanically, the QV retained the mid-engine layout and tubular steel spaceframe chassis of its predecessors but benefited from updated suspension geometry and improved braking to handle the additional performance.
Visually, the LP 5000 S Quattrovalvole remained unmistakably Countach. Marcello Gandini’s design for Bertone had evolved over more than a decade, yet its sharp wedge profile and scissor doors still looked as futuristic in 1985 as they had in 1971. The QV featured slightly refined details: larger wheel arches, a deeper front spoiler, and optional side skirts that visually tied the car together. Many examples were fitted with the now-iconic rear wing—an imposing structure that, while aerodynamically unnecessary, added immense visual drama. The car’s proportions were extreme but perfectly balanced: long, low, and wide, it looked alive even when standing still.
The interior combined the minimalist character of earlier Countach models with touches of 1980s luxury. Deep leather seats, improved ventilation, and electric windows were standard, while a new dashboard design housed clearer instrumentation and better switchgear. The driving position remained low and reclined, with a tall central tunnel and limited visibility, but the cockpit still felt like something out of a jet fighter. The craftsmanship was pure Lamborghini—bold, mechanical, and unapologetically driver-focused.
Behind the wheel, the Countach LP 5000 QV delivered a visceral experience that few cars could match. The enlarged V12 engine responded instantly to throttle input, surging forward with a mix of violence and precision. Its sound was intoxicating—a hard metallic growl that built into a wailing crescendo as it climbed past 7,000 rpm. The gearbox was heavy and deliberate, demanding skill, and the steering, unassisted and weighty, rewarded confident, physical driving. The QV’s wider tyres and revised suspension made it more stable than earlier models, and while it remained a challenging car to master, its balance and feedback at speed were superb. It was still a pure driver’s car—demanding yet deeply rewarding.
Production of the LP 5000 S Quattrovalvole ran from 1985 to 1988, with around 610 units built, making it one of the more numerous Countach variants. Most cars were fitted with the new “telephone dial” Campagnolo wheels wrapped in massive 345/35 VR15 Pirelli P7 tyres at the rear. European models retained the carbureted engine with its dramatic twelve velocity stacks visible under the rear cover, while U.S. cars, equipped with fuel injection, traded a bit of rawness for reliability and emissions compliance. Despite these differences, all QVs delivered the same elemental thrill: the sensation of commanding one of the most powerful and exotic machines of its time.
The Countach LP 5000 S Quattrovalvole marked the culmination of Lamborghini’s classic supercar formula—a car born from the daring of the 1970s but perfected for the excess of the 1980s. It embodied the company’s unyielding devotion to design purity and mechanical excellence. With its angular geometry, thunderous V12, and uncompromising driving experience, it was both a work of art and a challenge to its driver.
Today, the LP 5000 QV is regarded as one of the most iconic and desirable Countach variants. It represents the ultimate balance between the purity of the early models and the muscular confidence of the later ones. It was the car that defined Lamborghini for a generation—an explosion of style, sound, and performance that became a symbol of speed and desire. Even decades later, the Quattrovalvole remains a commanding presence, a car that perfectly captures the fearless, intoxicating spirit of Lamborghini at its peak.