Reborn Lamborghini Countach slammed by original designer

Italian designer Marcello Gandini has put distance between himself and Lamborghini's reborn Countach, hitting out at the manufacturer for initiating the project without his blessing.

Gandini worked at Bertone early on in his career and was the head designer for iconic vehicles including the Lamborghini Miura, Lancia Stratos and Bugatti EB 110, as well as the original Countach.

In August, Lamborghini revealed it would be bringing the Countach name back to life as an Aventador-based supercar, running on the underpinnings of the modern machine with the styling of the '70s classic.

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However, Gandini is seemingly unimpressed with the tribute, releasing a statement through his daughter's PR firm.

“Marcello Gandini clarifies that he has not participated in and does not approve the project, that he didn’t give his placet,” said Gandini.

“I have built my identity as a designer, especially when working on supercars for Lamborghini, on a unique concept – each new model I would work on would be an innovation, a breaker, something completely different from the previous one.

"Courage, the ability to create a break without sticking to the success of the previous car, the confidence in not wanting to give in to a habit were the very essence of my work.

"It is clear that markets and marketing itself has changed a lot since then, but as far as I am concerned, to repeat a model from the past, represents in my opinion the negation of the found principles of my DNA.”

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Ahead of the 50th anniversary celebrations for the Countach earlier this year, Gandini was invited by Lamborghini to be interviewed about his iconic supercar, where he was then presented with a scale model of the new Countach by Mitja Bokert, head of Lamborghini’s design department Centro Stile.

According to Gandini, Lamborghini didn't make its intentions of bringing the Countach back to life clear to its original designer.

“Neither earlier, nor during the interview was it stated that the car was scheduled for limited series production.

"...when Mitja Borkert presented the scale model during the interview, [Gandini] did smile and acknowledge as would be customary to do so,” his statement added.

Lamborghini has not yet responded to Gandini's criticisms, although it's unlikely to deter the Italian company from starting production on the 112 limited run units.