With The Urus Debut Now Imminent, Lambo Does A Throwback To Its First SUV

We’re only a few a months away from the official debut of the Lamborghini Urus SUV, which is slated to appear in the metal at Lambo’s headquarters in Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy, on December 4th. In anticipation of the big unveiling, Lamborghini is spotlighting its very first venture into the SUV segment – the LM002, a.k.a., the “Rambo Lambo,” by bringing out the fully restored chassis #12231 from the Lamborghini museum. Finished in black, this large-and-in-charge Italian off-roader is one of just 300 units produced during the LM002’s original production run, which concluded about a quarter century ago. Today, it remains an odd, yet fascinating look at what happens when a sports car maker decides to make SUVs.

Of course, the LM002 isn’t that weird if you dig into Lambo’s history. Prior to making fast cars, Lamborghini actually produced tractors, and it continues to do so today. In addition, Lamborghini also makes powerboat engines and motorcycles. The point is this – just because its best known for its outlandish sports cars, Lamborghini won’t be pigeonholed. So what’s the deal with the LM002, and what can it tell us about the upcoming Urus? Read on for the details.

Continue reading for the full story.

Some Brief History On The LM002

Interestingly, the predecessor to the LM002 was designed as a military vehicle, which actually isn’t all that surprising when you look at the final product. Dubbed the “Cheetah,” the vehicle could be considered the predecessor to the Humvee, although Lambo ended up putting the project to bed towards the end of the ‘70s.

In 1981, an engineer at Lambo by the name of Giulio Alfieri brought the project out of retirement, this time with consideration for public consumption. The first concept was called the LM001, and it used a rear-mounted V-8 engine from AMC. However, it was quickly determined that the tail-centric powertrain in the LM001 made for some pretty hairy handling off-road, so a new front-engine concept followed.

The final LM002 production model debuted in 1986 at the Brussels Auto Show, this time rocking a V-12 engine from the Countach Quattrovalvole in the nose. Displacement came to 5.2 liters, while peak output was rated at 450 horsepower arriving at 6,800 rpm. Outside, the LM002 mates aluminum and fiberglass for the body, while a 4WD system puts the power down through a transfer case and three self-locking diffs. Pirelli’s Scorpion tire compound was used for better all-surface agility. All this gear meant that in addition to sure-footedness in the rough stuff, the LM002 can also reach speeds of 200 kph (124 mph).

Equipping the LM002 with the same V-12 engine found in the Countach was an interesting choice for Lamborghini. After all, as one of the most iconic Raging Bulls ever made, the Countach had a way of adding a dash of performance flavoring to anything and everything associated with it, including the LM002. Add in a luxurious interior and a dose of off-roading capability, and the LM002 was utterly unique for its time.

So What About The Urus?

For starters, it’ll definitely get a lot of power, just like the preceding LM002. Word has it there will be a twin-turbo V-8 making the go, with over 600 horses on tap. With that much output, the Urus should manage a run to 60 mph in less than 4 seconds, with top speed pegged at 180 mph. Lambo might even consider a more-powerful SuperVeloce version with as much as 700 horsepower.

The interior will also be quite luxurious, with oodles of high-end materials and a premium infotainment system, not to mention loads of space. Also expect to see a rather sporty-looking cabin layout, with comfortable-yet-supportive bucket seats and a leather-rimmed flat-bottom steering wheel. Carbon fiber trim will be plentiful.

Speaking of carbon fiber, the composite will also likely see plenty of use on the outside, much in the same way fiberglass and aluminum were used for the LM002. Active aero will help it stick. Meanwhile, the styling will loudly announce its sports car heritage, unlike the bulky LM002.