Lamborghini LM002
The other SUV

During 1986 and 1993 Lamborghini build an SUV that was monsterous!!
Very unsual for a sportcar manufacturer (yes yes tractors also) to build an SUV.

Developed from their already created military prototypes "Cheetah" back in 1977,

Lamborghini had designed the vehicle with hopes of selling it to the US military however In 1979, the Army drafted final specifications for a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, or HMMWV.
In July of that year, AM General (a subsidiary of American Motors Corporation) began preliminary design work, Although the original prototype “Cheetah” had a rear-mounted Chrysler V8 engine, the new LM001 which was first developed after the Cheetah had an AMC V8 engine.


It was finally determined that the engine being mounted in the rear caused too many unfavorable handling characteristics in an offroad vehicle, and the LMA002 was built with an entirely new chassis, moving the engine to the front.
The Engine in the LMA002 came directlyfrom their supercar the “Countach”.
Finally after some testing and altering the first LM002 (as it was called by now) production model was unveiled in an early 1986 Brussels Auto Show.
Very soon after unveiling this Monster the car got it`s Nickname “RAMBO-LAMBO” and not for nothing!!!
It`s aggressive styling and powerful engine finally made it a success for Lamborghini.

In comparation to the HumVee the LM002 had a full luxury package, including full leather trim, tinted power windows, air conditioning, and a premium stereo mounted in a roof console.


Lamborghini turned to Pirelli for making tyres, Scorpion Tyres with the ability to run flat on any surface.
Pirelli came up with two thread types, one for mixed surfaces and one for only sand.
The Sand type was probably the only tyre in the world which could withstand the tremendous heat created by the sun in the sand.
Beside these features the Lambo needed a fueltank big enough to run for a while in the dessert so Lamborghini installed a special 290 litre fuel tank since the V12 Engine isn`t an engine with a high Mpg average.


The car was mainly sold to in Middle Eastern Market and when somebody wasn`t satisfied with the performance of the V12 from the Countach they could order the L804 7.2 litre marine V12, The same engine which were fitted in the famous Victory Offshore Raceteam, I remember when hitting Dubai in 2001 and visiting their factory I saw dozens of Lambo engines stacked and as a lambo fan I surely melted seeing those!!


Anyway back in 1988, Lamborghini sent an LM002 to a team of special engineers with the intention of making it capable of participating in the Paris Dakar Rally!! As a competitor for the then (now still) famous Porsche 959 which finished 1-2 in 1986.
I think we would have love to see this monster in a rally race against the mighty 959!!
Well the special engineers made upgraded suspension and did engine modifications which brought it to 600 hp (450 kW) put in a full roll cage and plexiglas windows, fitted GPS equipment but unfortunately, the money ran out before it could officially be entered in competition,
Id did however show up at one event; The Rallye des Pharaons in Egypt and another in Greece, both times driven by Sandro Munari.

Saddest that ever happened to a LM002 was in 2004 when Hussein`s (yes Sadam) was used to show the effects of a car bomb by the US Military, unfortunate the car didn`t survive as we expect.

Specifications
Wheelbase : 3000 mm
Overall length : 4900 mm
Overall width : 2000 mm
Overall height : 1850 mm
Front track : 1615 mm
Rear track : 1615 mm
Ground clear. : 300 mm
Front overhang : n.a.
Rear overhang : n.a.
Weight : 2700 kg
Distribution : 50 % / 50 % front / rear


Engine:
Type : V-12 60 degree light alloy block with pressed-in liners front mounted, four wheel drive with front disconnecting axle
Distribution : Dual overhead camshafts, chain drive, four valves/cylinder
Main bearings : 7
Cyl. Capacity : 5167 cc
Bore & stroke : 85.5 x 75 mm
Compr. ratio : 9.5:1
Max. power : 450 bhp at 6800 rpm
Max. torque : 369 lbs.ft. at 4500 rpm
Cooling system: Oversized radiator with two high-speed electric fans
Ignition : Electronic with distributors
Plugs : n.a.
Electr. system : 12 V
Alternator : 80 A
Fuel system : Dual electric pumps, 6 side-draught Weber 44 DCNF twin-choke carburetors
Fuel type : n.a.
Fuel consumption : 30 Lt./100 Km
Lubrication : Wet sump


Top speed : 210 Km/h with 120 % maximum climbing angle
0 - 100 Km/h : 7.8 sec.