Turn up the Synthwave, the Lamborghini Countach Is Back…as a Hybrid?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Among the select few cars hailed as ‘Radwood royalty,’ one ‘80s symbol stands above the rest. And while it can’t quite compete with modern supercars’ speed, it’s arguably their equal in stage presence. We’re talking of course about the Lamborghini Countach, one of the Italian brand’s most iconic cars. But while its star status is cemented, the Countach’s story isn’t quite over yet. That’s because Lamborghini is resurrecting it—and according to the rumors, it might be a hybrid.

The Lamborghini Countach is back just in time for its 50th birthday

1977 Lamborghini Countach LP400 | Lamborghini

Although the Lamborghini Countach is perhaps THE 1980s supercar, it didn’t debut then. The Countach is actually the Miura’s direct successor, making it a 1970s car. It first debuted as a concept in 1971 before officially hitting the road as the Countach LP400 in 1974. The radical flares and large wing didn’t arrive until the 1978 Countach LP400 S, MotorTrend explains. If you ever watched Cannonball Run, that’s the Lambo from the opening.

However, while it didn’t originate in the 1980s, that was when the Lamborghini Countach reached its final form. In 1982 it evolved into the Countach LP5000 S, followed by the truly outrageous LP5000 QV in 1985. And before it was replaced by the Diablo, the Countach got a final send-off in the form of the 1989 25th Anniversary Edition. Fun fact: Horacio Pagani, the CEO and founder of the eponymous Italian hypercar company, designed the 25th Anniversary Edition.

Several V12-powered supercars have followed in the Lamborghini Countach’s footsteps. After the Diablo came the Murcielago. And now its successor, the Aventador, is entering its final days. But it’s sticking around to witness the original Countach LP500 concept’s 50th anniversary.

Lamborghini is throwing a birthday party of sorts at Monterey Car Week to celebrate this anniversary. However, it’s not bringing a cake. Instead, it’s bringing the Countach back for the modern era.

Could the new Lamborghini Countach be a hybrid supercar?

The disguised upcoming Lamborghini Countach
Upcoming Lamborghini Countach disguised | Lamborghini

As of this writing, Lamborghini has only released a short teaser video for its upcoming supercar revival and one image. And that image shows what appears to be the new Countach hidden under a sheet. However, some information has leaked out via confidential sources and Instagram, Roadshow says.

According to the Instagram leaks, the new supercar’s official name is ‘Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4,’ Roadshow reports. That ‘LPI’ might ring familiar for some Lambo fans, and it could hint at the Countach’s powertrain. It previously appeared on the hybrid 2014 Asterion LPI 910-4 concept. If the new Countach is indeed an ‘LPI’ model, that could make it a hybrid supercar.

The front 3/4 view of the matte-green Lamborghini Sian driving through the Bologna streets
Lamborghini Sian front 3/4 | Lamborghini

The idea of a hybrid Lamborghini Countach isn’t necessarily that odd. Although the Asterion never made it past the concept stage, the limited-run Sian was a hybrid. But it was a capacitor-powered mild-hybrid, while the Asterion was a true plug-in hybrid. It’s worth noting, though, that Lamborghini previously announced plans to make both plug-in hybrid and fully-electric supercars. So, in theory, the resurrected Countach could be the first production plug-in hybrid Lamborghini.

Apart from the hybrid rumors, insiders claim the new Countach will make 789 hp and use Aventador underpinnings, MotorTrend says. The latter part makes some sense, as it’s too soon for a whole-scale Aventador replacement, Car and Driver muses. And the first part is in keeping with Lamborghini’s naming conventions.

For example, the Aventador SVJ’s full name is ‘Aventador SVJ LP770-4.’ The ‘-4’ means ‘four driven wheels,’ referring to the all-wheel drive. ‘LP’ stands for ‘Longitudinale Posteriore,’ which refers to the SVJ’s longitudinal rear-mid-mounted engine. And ‘770’ stands for ‘770 PS,’ the metric conversion for its 759 hp. 800 PS works out to 789 hp. Oh, and incidentally? The ‘I’ in ‘LPI’ stands for ‘Ibrido,’ or ‘hybrid,’ Roadshow explains.

How much will it cost?

The new Lamborghini Countach is being officially unveiled some time during Monterey Car Week. Given that the 50th-anniversary celebration is scheduled for August 15th, Hagerty reports, the reveal will likely happen around then.

As of this writing, Lamborghini hasn’t released any pricing or production details. But don’t expect the new Countach to be cheap or available in huge numbers. For what it’s worth, MotorTrend’s insiders peg the starting price at $3.5 million.

Presumably, you’ll have to bring your own shoulder pads.

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RELATED: The Ferrari 296 GTB Is an 818-Hp Hybrid First for the Supercar Brand

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How Does An ECU Tuner Work?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Utilizing an ECU tuner can be one of the quickest and most efficient ways of modifying an engine without resorting to replacing parts under the hood. The concept of augmenting the performance of an engine without having to physically change out parts was unheard of in the days of carburation.

However, the move to ECUs (electronic control units) and computer-controlled fuel injection changed the way technicians diagnose engine problems and improve power and/or fuel-efficiency. We are going to talk about how ECU tuning works and go over three ways an ECU tuner can change a car’s performance.

How does an ECU tuner work?

Cobb Access Port ECU tuner | Cobb Tuning

In the early days of ECU tuning, a user would have to physically replace a chip in the stock ECU with an aftermarket chip with custom software loaded into it. It was a very delicate process and things could easily go wrong if someone did not know what they were doing.

When the government-mandated On-Board Diagnostic systems (OBD), that opened a new window for ECU tuning. Now, ECU tuners could simply plug into a car’s OBD II port and upload custom software to the stock ECU which is also known as “reflashing”. One example of a popular ECU tuner device is the ‘Access Port’ by Cobb Tuning.

But how can reflashing an ECU change an engine’s performance? There are several ways to achieve this but we are going to talk about three major ways an ECU tuner can modify an engine’s performance.

1. Removing the governor with ECU tuner

A 40 mph speed limit sign.
Speed limit sign | Ben Hasty/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle/Getty Images

Many cars come from the factory with a speed governor embedded in its ECU. A speed governor limits the top speed of a vehicle by cutting the amount of air and fuel fed into the throttle. This is why sometimes when reading the spec sheet of a high-performance car, the top speed will often say “electronically limited to 155 mph”. That is another way of saying that the car’s ECU will prevent it from going faster than that. This is generally done for safety and liability reasons.

In the hands of an experienced technician, an ECU tuner can remove the speed governor and unlock a car’s true top speed. This is not something that should be done on a car that is meant to be driven on public roads but can come in handy for anyone converting a road car into a track-only race car.

2. Adjusting the air/fuel ratio

An automotive technician holding a fuel rail while under the hood of a car.
An automotive technician holding a fuel rail | David Brewster/Star Tribune/Getty Images

Air and fuel are crucial to how an engine operates. The ratio between those two elements plays a major role in an engine’s performance. During the “intake” stroke of a combustion engine, if there is more air than fuel it is called running “lean”. If there is more fuel than air, it is called running “rich”. Running lean or rich has different results in performance. A rich air/fuel ratio generally allows an engine to make more horsepower and in some cases run a bit cooler. A lean air/fuel ratio will reduce power but increase efficiency, resulting in better fuel economy.

An ECU tuner can adjust the air and fuel mixture by manipulating engine sensors and fuel injectors. It can take a lot of testing and adjustment but an experienced professional can use an ECU tuner to increase power or fuel-efficiency. 

3. Changing boost pressure with ECU tuner

A side view of a blue WRX STI.
Subaru WRX STI | Marco Destefanis/Pacific Press/LightRocket/Getty Images

Some cars like the Subaru WRX STi, Honda Civic Type R, or the McLaren 720S come standard with turbochargers. Turbos use boost to force more air into an engine which artificially raises the engine’s compression ratio, thus increasing power. However, boost pressure is often limited via the ECU from the factory to ensure engine reliability and durability. 

An ECU tuner can increase the factory boost limit (and increase fuel delivery) to make more horsepower. 

Are ECU tuners illegal?

An automotive technician performing a smog check.
Smog check technician | Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Considering the standards and regulations that manufacturers have to follow when producing vehicles, ECU tuning seems like an easy way to break the law. But, are ECU tuners really illegal? The answer is that it depends on the regulations of the state in which you live. For example, California just passed a law requiring an ECU inspection to be a part of regular smog checks. If there are any hardware or software modifications found on a car’s ECU, it will automatically fail the smog check. In other states, modifying an ECU is 100% legal. We recommend looking up your state’s regulations before sending your car in for any ECU modifications.

So in a nutshell, how does an ECU tuner work? It works by plugging into a car’s OBD II port to change software within the ECU to increase power, maximize fuel efficiency, or remove features like speed governors. In the future, perhaps ECU tuning will be capable of more.

RELATED: California Won’t Let You Register Your Car if It’s Tuned

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Do You Need Insurance for a Jet Ski?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

One of the best parts of summer is having fun. It may be camping or taking family vacations. It could also be all about water sports. Especially those that involve a jet ski or other personal watercraft and boats. However, before you set out on your jet ski adventure this summer, you need to discover whether you need insurance on it or not.

What is a personal watercraft?

Jet ski | Getty Images

Personal watercraft or PWC is a small pleasure craft that uses an inboard jet drive to propel itself through the water. To use it, you sit, stand, or kneel on it rather than inside it as you would a boat.

Personal watercraft includes things like Jet Skis, WaveRunners, and Sea-Doos. They all have the same basic design and features. According to J.D. Power, there are different types of jet skis available. Some are designed for luxury, performance, or fun.

However, if you are looking for major differences, you may not find any. They have different names because one brand may be preferred over others. The Jet Ski is made by Kawasaki, while Yamaha manufactures a WaveRunner, and the Sea-Do is both the brand and the model name.

No matter which brand you choose, you should only use them if you can do so safely and by obeying the laws.

Is insurance something you need?

Many states do urge you to have insurance on your personal watercraft. Luckily, according to Investopedia, there are insurance policies that are designed to fit every budget. Some policies can cost as little as $85.00 per year or as much as a few hundred dollars per year. The difference is the amount of coverage you will receive.

Basic personal watercraft insurance policies are mostly designed to help you avoid repair costs if your jet ski is damaged by storms, accidents, fire, or other situations. A good PWC insurance will protect you with liability insurance. This will ensure that if you or someone else gets injured, you will not have the added expense of medical bills.

You are urged to seek quotes from several boat insurance companies for the best prices and the most coverage. If you have multiple jet skis, you will want to ensure that the insurance company you choose can bundle your insurance policies for a lower price per year. This will help you when other costs are going to be involved with your personal watercraft.

Other costs associated with owning a personal watercraft

Beyond the insurance cost, there are other costs associated with ownership of personal watercraft. According to Grove WaterSports, you could be dealing with the cost of your fuel, maintenance, and a trailer to carry your watercraft at the minimum.

To some extent, each of these costs will fluctuate based on how you use your jet ski, the amount of time you spend on it, and where you are using it most often. The exception is your trailer, which should be a one-time expense for most PWC owners. The trailer cost will depend mostly on the size you choose and how nice you want it to be. However, on average, the cost can range up to around $1,500.00.

The fuel will vary a lot based on whether you are a full-throttle rider or someone who wants the freedom that a jet ski provides. Your gas tank size will vary based on which brand you have chosen to use. Tank sizes range from as small as only 5-gallons to around 20-gallons. As gas prices go up and down and you use it more often, your estimated cost will increase or decrease.

Personal watercraft are mechanical vehicles. Therefore, they do require some maintenance. You will need to check their fluids, change the oil, keep good batteries onboard, and more. You may need to winterize your jet ski, which could add to the overall cost as well.

These costs will vary but should give you a good idea of what you can expect to pay annually if you choose to have a jet ski or similar watercraft.

Related: Personal Size Homemade Boats Are a Thing, and They Can Fit in Your Truck

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Forza Horizon 5 Full Map Revealed

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Forza Horizon 5 is the only major racing game release from Microsoft this year and fans have been hungry for new information since the game was first revealed during E3 2021. When Forza Horizon 5 was first announced in June 2021, Mexico was confirmed as the location that the game would take place. Mexico was a surprising choice for some fans who would have rather that Japan had been chosen.  

Why was Mexico chosen for Forza Horizon 5?

The game developers revealed that Mexico was chosen due to the diversity of environments that the country has to offer. With deserts, rainforests, beaches, mountains, and even a volcano there is plenty of variety for players to experience in Forza Horizon 5.

The one thing that was unclear was what the entirety of the new map would look like. However, during a live stream event, the creative director Mike Brown gave viewers the first-ever look at the entire map. 

How big is the Forza Horizon 5 map?

Forza Horizon 5 Mexico world map | Forza Horizon Twitter page

Brown had previously stated that the new Mexico map would be one and a half times larger than the United Kingdom map featured in Forza Horizon 4.

The map also gives a detailed look at the diverse environments mentioned previously. The volcano and most of the desert biomes appear to mostly occupy the west side of the map. The jungles and rainforests are all found in the southern area of the map. Finally, it looks like most of the twisty mountain roads will be located in the northern area of the map. 

The main “hub” of Forza Horizon 5 will most likely be Guanajuato City which is just south of the mountain ranges at the top of the map.

The diversity of the map should lend itself well to players who enjoy a variety of car types. There are plenty of dirt roads on the map that suit off-road race cars like the Ford Bronco R and plenty of long paved roads that are ideal for hypercars like the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE.

Are there any secrets hidden in the Forza Horizon 5 map?

One major element that is lacking in the Mexico map is that there is not a body of water that is completely landlocked except for the small lake in the volcano summit. There are several rivers and a dam area but that is not quite the same as the lake found in the UK map from Forza Horizon 4. 

The lake in the previous game was host to a few in-game secrets that could only be accessed when it was frozen over during the winter seasons. 

The Mexico map might have similar secrets that are locked behind weather changes but that is not visible in any obvious way. 

There is potential for some hidden secrets such as a “barn find” inside the volcano crater and possibly more hidden within some of the temples that are found in the rainforest areas. However, there are currently no hidden map features confirmed by any of the game’s developers.

When will we learn more about Forza Horizon 5?

The Mercedes-Benz AMG Project One hypercar as seen in 'Forza Horizon 5'
Mercedes-AMG Project One seen in ‘Forza Horizon 5’ | Xbox

It is possible that we will learn more during the Xbox Gamescom live stream on August 24th. It seems very likely that Forza Horizon 5 will be among the featured segments of the streamed event since the game is set to release on November 5th, 2021 which is only a few months away. If we’re lucky, we’ll find out everything we need to know about the new map and much more.

RELATED: If You Like Driving, You Should Be Excited for ‘Forza Horizon 5’

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