When people think of Lamborghini, they often picture high-performance, hand-built supercars designed for speed, or they may think of the Urus, the company’s recent luxury SUV. Many people might regard the Urus as Lamborghini’s first production SUV, but that cannot be further from the truth.

After a couple of failed attempts in designing a prototype SUV for military use, Lamborghini decided to manufacture a luxury SUV in the 80s, thus the birth of the LM002. The LM002 was indeed a Lambo in every way: it looked like a Lambo, it cost like a Lambo, and thanks to the V12 engine borrowed from the Countach, it sure sounded like one.

Lamborghini’s Military Prototype

1981 Lamborghini LM001
Via Wikipedia

Before we talk about the LM002, we must take a look at what came before it. Lamborghini started designing SUV prototypes in the 70s: first came the Cheetah, which was intended for military use, and then later in 1981, the LM001.

The Cheetah was Lamborghini’s first attempt at designing an off-road car. It was intended to be a new all-terrain vehicle for the US military. The Cheetah was acquired with a 180hp 5.9-liter engine made by Chrysler, and it could carry four soldiers with complete equipment as well as the driver.

But the 180 horsepower engine was not enough for the 4,502-pound weight of the Cheetah. And since it was mounted on the rear, the handling wasn’t very good either. Ultimately, the Cheetah lost the military contract award to AM General’s Humvee.

A decade later, the dream for an off-road vehicle was still alive for Lamborghini. Lamborghini redesigned the Cheetah in 1981 and labeled it LM001. Lamborghini was planning to put the V12 engine from the Countach under the LM001’s hood once it reached the production stage. However, due to poor handling when accelerating, the LM001 was never continued after one prototype model.

Lamborghini LM002’s Features

Lamborghini LM002 Red
Via Wikimedia Commons

Five years after the LM001, Lamborghini finally managed to make its dream of manufacturing a luxury off-road vehicle a reality. The LM002 was manufactured from 1986 to 1993. Lamborghini’s attempt at mounting the engine on the rear had failed in their previous off-road prototypes. Hence, they finally decided to design a new chassis that bore the engine in the front.

The engine was what Lamborghini was hoping to put in an off-road car from five years ago: the V12 from the Countach. And for the interior, the LM002 was trimmed with fine Italian leather, tinted electric windows, air conditioning, and a stereo system mounted in a roof console.

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Things About The LM002 That Don’t Make Sense

Lamborghini LM002
Via: Dupont Registry

Lamborghini was known for its premium, high-performance supercars. They couldn’t afford to make an SUV that wasn’t packed with top-of-the-line features and luxury options. The first things to notice about the LM002 were the tires: specially commissioned, tailor-made for the LM002, coming in two models - one for mixed-use and one specifically for sand.

The Countach engine under the LM002’s hood produced 450 horsepower, which was insane for an off-road vehicle back then. Yet still, Lamborghini had an even more ridiculous offer for buyers who were willing to pay: the L804 model, which came with an insanely powerful 7.2-liter V12 that was generally fitted to Class 1 offshore powerboats.

The LM002, also referred to as the ‘Rambo-Lambo,’ instantly became a symbol of status.

RELATED: Here's How Much A Lamborghini LM002 Is Worth Today

Lamborghini’s Come-back To The SUV World

2021-Lamborghini-Urus
via Guide AutoWeb

After 25 years of absence in the SUV market, Lamborghini finally returned with a brand-new SUV in 2018, the Lamborghini Urus.

Unlike its ancestor, the Urus was less of an off-road vehicle and more of an urban luxury SUV. Lamborghini used a modified version of Audi’s four-liter V8 to put under the Urus’ hood. The engine allows the Urus to sprint from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.6 seconds.

But the engine isn’t the only thing about the Urus that makes it unique: the iconic design language of the Aventador is beautifully carried away to the Urus, which has given it an unmistakable Lamborghini look.

RELATED: Here’s How The Lamborghini Urus Is Holding Its Value

Was The LM002 Successful?

Lamborghini LM002
Via Silodrome

Lamborghini’s initial attempts at designing SUVs never made it out of the prototype phase. Partly because of Lamborghini’s stubbornness in putting the engine in the rear of the SUV chassis, which resulted in poor handling performance.

When folks at Lamborghini finally agreed to a front-engine design, they finally managed to manufacture an off-road vehicle that could proudly bear the company’s badge. From the exterior design language to the exquisite interior, to the insanely powerful engine models, the LM002 checks every item on our list for being a true Lamborghini.

And today, with the Urus, Lamborghini has made a substantial mark in the history of luxury SUV vehicles.