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AUTOart Lamborghini Countach a review by Difflock
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| I’m sure more than a few of you will remember the Lamborghini Countach as every 80’s teenage boy’s wet dream of a car. Certainly, large posters of the car were very easy to find (with or without the young lady on the bonnet!). Well, at long last you can actually drive this automotive icon in 1:32 scale thanks to AUTOart’s latest release. |
| First, a bit of history. AUTOart have chosen perhaps the most well known version of the Countach – the 5000 S (according to the badge) which really means the LP500S, the fourth incarnation of the Countach lineage:- LP500 (prototype, one only), LP400, LP400S and LP500S. The Quattrovalvole 5000S was the end of the line. That famous rear wing was actually an £1144.25 optional extra!! (Autocar 9/10/82) which dented the top speed capability. |
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The engine was a quad-cam 24-valve V12 displacing 4754cc (the QV went over 5 litres), developing 375bhp and 302lb ft of torque. The 5-speed manual transmission powered those 345/35 15 rear tyres via a propshaft which went through the sump to the limited slip
differential. Performance was phenomenal in its day 0-60 5.6 seconds, top speed of 164mph (Autocar test). Only the QV really went anywhere near 190mph, again without the rear
wing.
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| So, onto the more affordable, smaller car which could contain a V12 but only of the Slot.It
variety. I have decided to feature Aa’s other Lambo, the Murcielago as a brief addition to this review because it is another new release; and it’s a Lamborghini! The first thing this reviewer noticed was the packaging. The car comes in a crystal case contained within a proper cardboard box, tastefully done in black emblazoned with a Lamborghini badge.
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| Upon unpacking the car from the case, it could be seen that Aa have put some thought into not having the car resting on its wheels. As with the Murcielago model, the Countach is screwed to the base via a small plinth (two more guide blades supplied beneath the base, similar to Scalextric). No danger of flat-spotting the tyres by storing the car in its box. |
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What can I say about the way the car looks? It is this reviewer’s opinion that Aa have no problems whatsoever in producing a slot car whose detail and accuracy rival, if not surpass some die-cast
offerings.
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| The interior is detailed and the wheels even have the raging bull emblem in their centres! The Countach brake discs are visible, but they were plain metal washers. I found another use for my supply of FLY Ferrari Daytona discs as can be seen in the next photo. A very satisfying result don’t you think? |
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The tyres are treaded but a disappointment on the track (more later).
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The motor is a mabuchi type of sidewinder configuration. The very smooth
gearing, also a feature of the Murcielago, is 14:34. The Countach comes with a
magnet, as does the Murcielago, but the Countach had the magnet glued BEHIND the
motor! However, two other more sensible positions are offered and the magnet can be seen in the middle position. The wheels are quite
true, as are the tyres, but the Countach wheels cannot readily accept better tyres from Pro Slot, Ninco or Slot.It due to the high centre part of the
rim. Some tyres will fit, but at the expense of not having enough sidewall to meet the “rim” as it does in 1:1
scale.
Right, on to the performance. I had run the motor in on a 1.5V AA battery for almost an hour so it would have been bedded in nicely. The car was tested on Pendle’s superb routed track (copper rails so no magnatraction). The tyres are indeed a disappointment – far too hard a compound. I had pre-treated them a little with some oil, but in its current state the car is definitely a mag car. Despite the slides, or perhaps due to them! The Countach did look great running round the track. However I could only manage a best time of 11.45 seconds. Once decent tyres can be sourced (COME ON AUTOart!!) the lap times should tumble because the straightline speed is more than adequate. I tried the Murcielago, but it’s tyres seem to have gone off. I may as well have had plastic Pirellis on it! Absolutely no advantage was to be gained from the 4WD system fitted to the Murcielago. I will obtain some times for Slot Tech Raceway where the car’s magnet will work and provide an update to this review as and when. |
| In summary then, AUTOart have produced a superbly detailed slot car which is sadly let down by its lack of traction. This is not a die-cast, but a working model and as such requires proper rubber tyres which give some degree of grip. However, it has been noted that Aa have made at least one improvement over their previous Lamborghini release, the Murcielago by fitting a plug for the lighting circuit. Perhaps we will see further improvements in their slot car range in the future? |
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Nice legs, shame about the US spec bumper! |
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If Barbie had a Countach! |
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Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 19th May 2013 - 09:16 |