Lamborghini’s LM002 was the original super-SUV. It had the looks, it had the power, and it surely had the off-road ability. While today’s SUVs and off-roaders rely on a bunch of electronic gizmos to carve their way through rough terrain, the LM002 did it with brute force. That’s what we call strong personality.

You’ll need to take this video with a pinch of salt and a lot of open-mindedness, especially if you’re a Land Rover fan. So, keep in mind that the purpose isn’t to mock Land Rover’s cars but to further highlight the badassery that Lamborghini baked into the LM002.

When it was presented in 1986 at the Brussels Auto Show, Lamborghini’s LM002 left the world picking up its jaw from the floor – simply because it was a radical concept compared to anything before it.

The LM002 rode on 17-inch Pirelli Scorpion tires that were supposed to float on sand – which was a good idea, as the SUV tipped the scales at more than 5,700 pounds. It had all-wheel drive and three self-locking differentials and Lamborghini was adamant it could destroy 120-degree gradients. The Italians also estimated a top speed of 125 mph, with the 0-60 sprint taking just 7.8 seconds.

Power came from a Countach-sourced V-12 and was rated at 450 horsepower. And while at times this amount of oomph proved not enough to move the LM002, there are other things to worry about if you want one: fuel economy, which is rated at about 5 mpg. Oh, and changing those Pirelli tires will cost you about $20,000.

Lamborghini LM002 specifications

Then again, the LM002 was probably the only civilian car of the era that could let you storm a ski slope or strike fear into the peaceful residents of a quiet mountain village.