Today, even Ferrari and Rolls-Royce have SUVs in their range. It was different 40 years ago. The term SUV did not exist yet, back then there were only off-road vehicles. Among them were some more elegant ones, such as the Range Rover or the Mercedes G. But 40 years ago, one vehicle dominated all the others.
The Lamborghini LM 002 was produced between 1986 and 1992 and has gone down in automotive history as one of the most unusual vehicles in the brand's history. It was developed as a high-performance off-road vehicle with luxury features and supercar technology. A total of 300 or 301 examples were produced, depending on the source.
The LM 002 is powered by a 5,2-liter V12 engine from the Lamborghini Countach. Depending on the version, the power output is up to 444 hp or 335 kW, with later versions also rated at 455 hp. The top speed is listed at 210 km/h, while other measurements put the vehicle at 223 km/h. Despite an unladen weight of around 2700 kilograms, the LM 002 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8,2 seconds and has been considered the fastest off-road vehicle in the world for years.
The vehicle's origins date back to the late 70s, when the American company Mobility Technology International commissioned Lamborghini to develop a military all-terrain vehicle as a possible successor to the Jeep for the US Army. In 1977, a prototype Cheetah with a Chrysler V8 engine was created. In comparative tests in the California desert, the vehicle nevertheless lost to the later HMMWV from AM General. The prototype was destroyed and the project was temporarily suspended.
After the takeover of Lamborghini by Patrick Mimran in 1980, the idea of an off-road vehicle resurfaced. Lamborghini saw market opportunities primarily in the Middle East. In 1981, the LM001 prototype was built with a 5,7-liter V8 engine from American Motors. The LMA model followed in 1982, which was presented at the Geneva Motor Show and used the V12 engine from the Countach LP 500 S for the first time. This had an output of 276 kW or 375 hp. In 1986, series production of the LM 002 finally began.
The LM 002 adopts Countach technology in a modified form. The V12 engine is mounted at an angle of 180 degrees longitudinally at the front to create space for a four-wheel drive design with a central differential and reduction gearbox. The power of the 5,2-liter engine is reduced by about 20 hp compared to the supercar to allow it to run on lower-quality fuel. Like the Countach, the LM002 is based on a tubular frame, a novelty for off-road vehicles of the time. This construction allows for sports car-level performance while also providing high off-road capability.
Visually, the LM 002 clearly differs from modern off-road vehicles. The bodywork appears rugged and massive. In 1987, the magazine Auto Motor und Sport described its design as “cruel” and spoke of a “barbarically designed desert sedan.” With a height of around 1,85 meters and a width of more than two meters, the LM 002 is one of the largest vehicles in its class, although models such as the Hummer H1 or the Chevrolet Suburban have even larger dimensions.
Instead of a classic trunk, the LM 002 has a small loading area that can be used as a luggage compartment. The interior is high-quality, but despite the width at the front, it gives the impression of being cramped due to the massive center console. There are only two seats in the back.
The LM 002 was first produced with carburettors, later with injection. Both versions are externally distinguished by a pronounced bulge on the engine cover, which is more pronounced on the carburettor models. In addition to the production vehicles, several special versions were produced. One example received a 7,2-liter V12 with around 700 hp from the marine industry. The second vehicle was prepared for long desert races under the supervision of world rally champion Sandro Munari. The LM 002 competed in the "Rallye des Pharaohs" and a year later in the Paris-Dakar race.
The LM 002 became particularly famous thanks to its famous owners, such as the King of Morocco, who received the first car delivered, and the actor Sylvester Stallone. This earned it the nickname “Rambo-Lambo”. The LM 002 is definitely not cheap: Lamborghini asked for around 220.000 German marks for it in 1986. At that time, you could have bought two Mercedes 500 SECs for that price. But those who can afford the LM 002 need not worry about consumption: the Lambo consumes between 26 and 42 liters per 100 kilometers from its 169-liter tank. The planned LM 003 with a 3,0-liter turbodiesel engine was rejected at the planning stage.
But there is always more to do: in 1989, Turin coachbuilder Salvatore Diomante built a unique vehicle with an extended van-type body and ten seats for the Sultan of Brunei. The last sixty LM 002s are a special edition called “LM/American”, sold exclusively in the United States.
First introduced at the 1992 Detroit Auto Show, it featured lightweight OZ wheels, chrome bumpers, a special interior, and various emblems and trim. During its seven years in production, the LM 002 established the luxury high-performance SUV segment and is considered the spiritual predecessor to today's Lamborghini Urus.
