Lamborghini LM002

Lamborghini LM002
Manufacturer	Lamborghini
Parent company	Chrysler
Aka	"Rambo Lambo"
Production	1986-1993 301 produced
Assembly
Predecessor	none
Successor	none
Class	Sport utility vehicle
Body style	4-door
Layout	F4
Platform	tubular steel frame riveted aluminium body panels
Engine	5167 cc V12
Transmission	5-speed Manual
Wheelbase	2950mm / 115 in
Length	4790mm / 186.8 in
Width	2000 mm / 78 in
Height	1850 mm / 72 in
Weight	2700 kg / 5720 lb
Related	Lamborghini Countach
Designer

The Lamborghini LM002 is an SUV that was built by the Lamborghini automobile company between 1986 and 1993. It was unofficially known as the Rambo. 301 LM002s were built, including 60 LM/American special equipment vehicles.

The LM002 was an unusual departure for Lamborghini who, at the time, was primarily known for high-performance grand tourers and supercars, despite its origins as a tractor manufacturer.

History

Lamborghini built its first military vehicle, a prototype vehicle codenamed the "Cheetah", in 1977. Lamborghini had designed the vehicle with hopes of selling it to the US military. The original Cheetah prototype had a rear-mounted Chrysler V8 engine. The prototype was destroyed during testing by the US military. This led Lamborghini to develop the LM001, which was very similar to the Cheetah, but 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 (now the V12 out of the Countach) to the front. After much testing and altering of the prototype, it was finally given a serial number and became the first LM002. The production model was unveiled in an early 1986 Brussels Auto Show

Lovingly dubbed the "Rambo-Lambo", its aggressive styling and powerful engine made it a success for Lamborghini. Civilian models were outfitted with a full luxury package, including full leather trim, tinted power windows, air conditioning, and a premium stereo mounted in a roof console. In order to meet the vehicle's tire needs, Lamborghini commissioned Pirelli to create the Pirelli Scorpion tires with custom, run-flat, tread designs. These were made specifically for the LM and were offered in two different tread designs, one for mixed use and the other for sand use only. These tires could be run virtually flat without risk and were the only rubbers available to compete with the desert heat, the loading and the speeds that the LM could inflict on them.

The civilian version was often marketed toward rich Saudi sheiks because of its incomparable performance in the desert due to the Scorpion tires, an oversized radiator, and a large air cleaner which sat on top of 6 weber carburators. For those requiring even more power, the 7.2 litre marine V12, more commonly found in Class 1 offshore powerboats, could be specified.

The military version of the LM002 omitted some of the luxuries, and featured additions including mounting points for machine guns. The Saudi Arabian army ordered 40, each with the roof able to be opened like a hatch over the rear seats. Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi reportedly ordered 100 of them for the use of Libya's military.

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. They stripped it of anything that added unnecessary weight and gave it an upgraded suspension, engine modifications which brought it to 600hp, full roll cage, plexiglas windows, and GPS equipment. Unfortunately, the money ran out before it could be officially be entered in competition, although it did participate in the Rallye des Pharaons in Egypt and another in Greece, both times driven by Sandro Munari.

Near the end of the LM002's production, a Turin based autoshop owner created a one-off "Estate" version by enclosing the back area and raising the roof. This added significantly to the interior room.

On July 18, 2004, at a US military base near Baqubah, the American Military used an LM002 that had belonged to Uday Hussein to simulate the effects of a car bomb. The LM002 was destroyed during the test.

Movies and Television

• Former Boxer Hector Camacho once owned an LM002 with his name embrioided on the headrest.Template:Fact
• An LM002 appears in the movie Toys, driven by the characters played by LL Cool J and Michael Gambon.
• In two consecutive episodes of the TV series Miami Vice, "Hostile Takeover" and "Redemption in Blood" (season 5, episodes 1 and 2, respectively), an LM002 makes brief appearances as the vehicle of a drug runner, played by Matt Frewer.
• In NBC's 1990 mini-series Nasty Boys, the undercover narcotics squad confiscates and uses a black LM002 for their SWAT vehicle.
• An LM002 appears in the Russian TV series Brigada.
• In rapper Q-Tip's video for the song "Let's Ride", he drives an LM002.
• In Mischief Assault the LM002 can be seen purchased by someone.
• The LM002 also appears in the movie, "Tango & Cash."

The 1990 Lamborghini LM SUV, was on the list of cars being stolen in the 2000 movie Gone in Sixty Seconds (remake of the 1974 movie Gone in 60 Seconds). It was actually a 1994 Lamborghini Diablo SE30.

Lamborghini LM002 off road in the snow

1990 Lamborghinin LM002

• 1990 Lamborghinin LM002 1.jpg
• 1990 Lamborghinin LM002 2.jpg
• 1990 Lamborghinin LM002 3.jpg
• 1990 Lamborghinin LM002 4.jpg
• 1990 Lamborghinin LM002 5.jpg
• 1990 Lamborghinin LM002 6.jpg
• 1990 Lamborghinin LM002 7.jpg
• 1990 Lamborghinin LM002 8.jpg
• 1990 Lamborghinin LM002 9.jpg
• 1990 Lamborghinin LM002 10.jpg
• 1990 Lamborghinin LM002 11.jpg
• 1990 Lamborghinin LM002 12.jpg

External links

• LM002 Pictures
• LM002 Registry Site
• Notable owners of the Lamborghini LM002

Lamborghini road car timeline, 1960s–1980s																						1980 - current timeline Next »
Type		1960s										1970s										1980s
		0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Owner					Jean-Claude and Patrick Mimran				Chrysler Corporation							Megatech	V'Power			AUDI AG
FR	GT					350GT
	2 plus 2							400GT		Islero		Jarama
	Coupé									Espada
RMR	V8/V10																	Silhouette						Jalpa
	2 plus 2											Urraco
	V12							Miura								Countach
SUV																												LM002
Founder: Ferruccio Lamborghini | Lamborghini Corporate website | A brand of the VWAG group

« Previous		Lamborghini road car timeline, 1980s–2000s – part of the Volkswagen Group
		1980s										1990s										2000s										2010s
		0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3
Owner		← Receivership				Jean-Claude and Patrick Mimran				Chrysler Corporation							Megatech	V'Power			AUDI AG
Mid/RWD	V8		Jalpa
Mid/4WD	V10																									Gallardo*
																																	Sesto Elemento
	V12	<··· Countach										Diablo											Murciélago										Aventador
																														Reventón
Front/4WD	V12							LM002
Founder: Ferruccio Lamborghini | Lamborghini Corporate website | A brand of the VWAG group