Lamborghini's foray into SUVs predated its competitors, and the LM002 was a bold success. Originally conceived as a military vehicle, the LM002 was a radical departure from Lamborghini's usual supercar fare, and its design needed not to say much of its intended purpose. However, the military market wasn't receptive to the LM002, forcing Lamborghini to reimagine it as a civilian luxury off-roader. Sure, you could have gotten a Hummer H1 at the same time, but what set the Rambo Lambo apart was its powertrain borrowed from the Countach. It quickly became a symbol of luxury, being a favorite among those who could afford one. It would have been interesting to see what Lamborghini would have come up with if the LM002 remained in production, but they discontinued it after only around 300 units were produced.
For the performance alone, the Lamborghini Urus is worth buying more than the LM002. But it's impressive how Lamborghini copy passed the Countach's powertrain into the latter, comprising a 5.2-liter naturally aspirated V12 mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. Power output during production was rated at 450 horsepower and around 470 lb.ft, 25 more horsepower than the Countach, which was enough to send the SUV from 0-60 in roughly 7.8 seconds and to a top speed of 120 mph. These figures could be better, but remember, the car is the closest to a road-legal tank and weighs approximately 6,000 pounds. Furthermore, it wasn't built for the road, with a tubular steel frame chassis and a fully independent suspension providing a solid foundation for its off-road capabilities.
As mentioned earlier, Lamborghini reimagined the LM002 as a civilian luxury off-roader. The exterior doesn't say much about the luxury, but the interior does with luxurious appointments such as deeply cushioned leather seats and wooden trims on the dash, center console, and doors. It isn't as practical as the Urus, as the cabin was designed to fit four. In addition, storage is limited, and the cabin ergonomics, while manageable, feel quite awkward even for a 1990s SUV. But despite its rugged off-road ambitions, Lamborghini included amenities such as air conditioning and a high-end sound system, all features that were far from standard in SUVs of the time.
The Lamborghini LM002’s overall design reflects its original intent with a military-inspired utilitarian look that's hard to mistake for anything else. It's boxy, just like the Hummer, but its boxes have more angles to it, especially up front, thanks to Lamborghini's designers making sure it stands out. The front end is incredibly minimalistic, with only headlights and a grille as the main highlights. The same applies to the side profile and the rear end, but you can't help but notice the large flared fenders and massive wheel arches contributing to the car's trail-ready appearance.
Not much was available during its time, so the Lamborghini LM002 isn't that much of a tech house. Its excellence is evident mainly through its build, for example, through the independent suspension we mentioned earlier. It has unequal-length control arms and coil springs at the front and rear, enhancing articulation and wheel travel, allowing the car to easily navigate obstacles. But despite being mainly off-road focused, it feels relatively comfortable on tarmac. Well, only if it's in good condition, considering the car's age. Lamborghini made it with hydraulic power steering to further enhance its capabilities, making it easier to handle even with its weight.
Today, a Lamborghini LM002 will set you back around $350,000, according to Classic.com, with the lowest sale recorded at $170,500 and the highest at $703,500. Is a classic Lamborghini truck worth buying? Absolutely, especially considering how rare and unique it is. Plus, it's an asset as it'll appreciate. Already sold on buying one? Check out our Lamborghini listings.
The Lamborghini LM002 is a unique part of automotive history, blending Lamborghini's supercar heritage with rugged off-road capability. Although it wasn't an ideal fit for its time, it helped lay the foundation for modern luxury performance SUVs, specifically the Lamborghini Urus. Exotic Car Trader creates an exclusive and safe way of buying and selling cars, eliminating the daunting experiences of private selling for buyers and sellers. Every vehicle listed on Exotic Car Trader goes through a private seller verification process, ensuring legitimacy for our buyers. Also, Exotic Car Trader's car buying process is well outlined, with all fees and packages providing our buyers with a seamless and inclusive experience. We can handle the escrow of funds at no additional cost to the buyer and seller, and we also provide trade-in and financing options for buyers. For transaction safety, our Transactions Team is world-class and equipped with industry fraud detection tools to ensure a safe and secure transaction. These are just some of the benefits you enjoy when buying or selling on Exotic Car Trader. Contact us for listing services or to buy a car on Exotic Car Trader today.
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