Before the luxury SUV segment became one of the most profitable in the industry, Lamborghini had already put a vehicle on the streets that defied any classification. Launched in 1986, the LM002 completes 40 years as the first SUV produced by a supercar manufacturer. At a time when Ferrari, Porsche, Aston Martin and Bentley were not even considering entering this market, the Italian brand created an extreme model, equipped with a V12 engine, all-wheel drive and the ability to face terrain where its sports cars would never reach.
The LM002 was born from a military project developed between the Italian brand and Chrysler. In the late 1970s, Lamborghini developed the Cheetah prototype to compete for contracts with the United States Army. The vehicle was defeated by AM General’s project, the HMMWV, also known as the Humvee, which years later received a civilian version named the Hummer H1.
Made from a military design, LM002 was capable of crossing any challenge
With the project in hand, the Italian decided to take advantage of the concept and create a production version. Then came the LM001 and LMA002 prototypes, which served as a laboratory until the definition of the production model presented at the 1986 Brussels Motor Show.
Unlike today’s SUVs, which are designed to combine comfort and efficiency in urban use, the LM002 is designed to withstand extreme conditions, as it was supposed to be a military vehicle. Its chassis used a tubular structure, the body was made of aluminum and fiberglass, while the independent suspension on all four wheels guaranteed great travel to face sand, rocks and severe trails.
The lines of Rambo Lambo
Visually, the LM002 was far from sensual. The project signed by Giulio Alfieri tried to give urban life to a wild animal. Brutalized, the car was nicknamed Rambo Lambo, in allusion to Sylvester Stallone’s character, which was a hit in theaters.
The LM002 was crude, but it had its predicates. The big highlight was under the hood. Lamborghini decided to install the same 5.2-liter V12 used in the Countach Quattrovalvole. The engine delivered about 450 hp and more than 50 kgfm of torque, impressive numbers for the second half of the 1980s. Coupled to a five-speed manual transmission with reduced and permanent all-wheel drive system, the set allowed the utility to reach approximately 210 km/h. It may seem like no big deal, but we are talking about a three-ton job.
High consumption has never been a concern. The fuel tank held about 169 liters to ensure autonomy in desert regions, the main environment for which the LM002 was designed. The tires were also exclusive. Developed by Pirelli, they had technology that allowed them to run with low pressure on sand and withstand high speeds on asphalt.
Despite the utilitarian proposal, the interior offered a refined finish. Leather-covered seats, air conditioning, sound system and wooden details showed that the model could also serve customers with high purchasing power. Not by chance, the LM002 found buyers mainly in the Middle East, as well as businessmen, celebrities and collectors.
LM002 is one of the rarest Lamborghini models
Between 1986 and 1993, just over 300 units were produced, which made it one of the brand’s rarest series production models. Some special versions even used 7.2-liter V12 engines intended for offshore vessels, reinforcing the reputation of an exaggerated vehicle in all aspects.
The LM002 was equipped with Contach’s V12 5.0, but could receive the 7.2 nautical unit for racing boats
For many years, the LM002 was treated as an eccentricity within Lamborghini’s history. Its large size contrasted with the brand’s tradition of manufacturing low and fast coupes. However, the expansion of the luxury SUV market has completely changed this perception.
Today practically all super sports car manufacturers have a sport utility vehicle in their catalog. Ferrari, Porsche, Aston Martin, Bentley and Lotus have found their main source of revenue in this segment. Lamborghini itself found in the Lamborghini Urus its best-selling model, responsible for significantly expanding the company’s global volume.
Four decades later, it is evident that the LM002 did not just anticipate a new product. He inaugurated a concept that seemed unlikely at the time: that a manufacturer known for supercars could apply its engineering to an off-road vehicle.
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