1986 - 1993 Lamborghini LM002 - Rambo Lambo a Forerunner SUV
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| The Lamborghini LM001, or Cheetah, was the production LM002's predecessor. It mounted its V12 midships, however, a configuration that didn't work well for off-road use. (Photo: Automobili Lamborghini SpA) |
Be honest. Prior to reading this had you ever heard about Lamborghini's outrageous LM002? Unless your nose was buried in car magazines during the 1980s, particularly Exotic Quarterly or the Dupont Registry, a high-end classified publication that features the weird and wonderful on a regular basis, it's unlikely you would have.
But based on the current hysteria for SUVs, especially top-tier luxury utes from companies that previously only made cars, it seemed fitting to dust the old steed off and present it for all to see. After all, the LM002 was way ahead of its time. Initially code-named LM001, the Automobili Lamborghini SpA prototype appeared in 1981 featuring a rear mounted 4.7-L V12 with 382-hp. While it was very quick, hence the nickname Cheetah, its front end was ultimately too light, not providing the necessary control needed for high-speed stability or low speed, off-road traction. But the concept was intriguing enough for the Italian automaker to develop LM002.
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| Lamborghini's LM002, is anything but subtle. The super-SUV became the ultimate sport truck for the rich and famous. (Photo: Automobili Lamborghini SpA) |
With experiential knowledge under their belts, Lamborghini engineers introduced a front-engine 5.2-L V12 powered SUV for the 1986 model year at the Brussels Motor Show. Good for 444-hp (or 450 depending on your sources) the Countach quattrovalvole engine was wisely detuned to allow the use of regular grade gasoline, many of the markets it was being sold into didn't offer an abundant supply of premium fuel. The engine also used a variety of filters designed to clean the gasoline prior to entering the carburetors. It featured a huge radiator, to keep things cool even in Saharan climates, while a comprehensive air filtration system trapped potentially dangerous dust.