Lamborghini LM 002 ( LM - Lamborghini Militaria)

Lamborghini LMA 002 As mad as it sounds, it was a real experience for Lamborghini. I am not talking about a V12 Countach engine nor the 600 horses that went with it. This was their first ever road going SUV as well as first ever 4x4. They produced it between 1986 and 1993. Lamborghini had experimented with off road vehicles and 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 only finished prototype was never tested by the US military, only demonstrated to them by its designer, Rodney Pharis. It was later sold to Teledyne Continental Motors by MTI and is apparently still in the US. 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 unfavourable handling characteristics in an off road vehicle, and the LMA002 was built with an entirely new chassis, moving the engine (now the V12 out of the Lamborghini 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 at the Brussels Auto Show in 1986. 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 tyre 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 that could handle the desert heat, the loading and the speeds that the LM could inflict on them. The LM002 was fitted with a 290 litre fuel tank. For those requiring even more power, the Lamborghini L804 type 7.2 litre marine V12, more commonly found in Class 1 offshore powerboats, could be specified. The military version of the LM002 was never built and contrary to many claims across the internet of orders from the Libyan and Saudi Arabian military, no military versions of the LM002 exist and none were sold to foreign governments or military forces. 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 600 hp (450 kW), full roll cage, plexiglas windows and GPS equipment. Funding ran out before it could 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, Turin based autoshop owner Salvatore Diomante created a one-off “Estate” version by enclosing the back area and raising the roof. This added significantly to the interior room. On this LMA-002, which remained a unique prototype, the four-wheel drive was not permanent, it was possible to transfer the power to the rear wheels only, and a 'real' five-speed ZF gearbox was installed, replacing the automatic transmission used in the LM-001. Lamborghini started its Marini Lamborghini programme while under the guidance of the Swiss brothers Patrick and Jean-Claude Mimran, who tried to breathe new life into the bankrupt car company in the early 80s. Named the Axxes Quetzal, the first Lamborghini powerboat was launched in 1984. The craft was powered by two modified carburetted Lamborghini V12 engines lifted from the marque's all-terrain vehicle LM002. Increased to a displacement of eight litres, the two engines had an output of 550HP each, catapulting the 39-foot Axxes Quetzal to a top speed of 65 knots (75mph).