Latest news with #Countach
The Advertiser
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
From Countach to Combat: The Lamborghini LM002 and Gaddafi's unrealised battle plan
Powered by a V12 engine from the Countach, boasting a top speed of more than 200km/h, the Lamborghini LM002 4×4 wasn't just the world's first super SUV, it also came dangerously close to becoming the late Muammar Gaddafi's ultimate desert patrol weapon. Lamborghini was struggling financially in the 1970s, and its usual business of building low-slung supercars like the Miura and Countach wasn't enough to keep the lights on. In a bold pivot, the company decided to chase military contracts, dreaming up an all-terrain vehicle that would appeal to armies (and deep-pocketed rulers) in the Middle East. Its first attempt, the Cheetah (1977), was powered by a rear-mounted American V8 but was so unstable it never made it past testing. Its successor, the LM001, met the same fate. Finally, Lamborghini realised it had to think differently – so it dropped its legendary 5.2-litre V12 from the Countach into the front of the chassis. Thus, the LM002 was born. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Of course, the idea of shoving the powertrain from the Countach into the front of the LM002 wasn't a difficult decision at all, given the fact it was the only engine Lamborghini had at the time. Unbelievably, Alfieri also developed a 7.0-litre V12 for the LM004 that never saw the light of day because it was simply going to be too expensive to build. Colonel Gaddafi, who ruled Libya from 1969 to 2011, was infamous for his unpredictable tastes and ambitions. Reports suggest he was intrigued by Lamborghini's prototype and saw the potential for a high-speed, all-terrain military vehicle – perfect for patrolling Libya's vast deserts or showing off his military might. Gaddafi allegedly expressed interest in ordering up to 100 units of Lamborghini's rugged off-road monster for his military, on the condition that it could be equipped with a rear-mounted machine gun. In his eyes, this was to be a desert patrol vehicle like no other – fast, intimidating and luxurious. However, the Italian government intervened. With rising concerns about exporting military-grade vehicles and weapon systems to volatile regimes, the plan was blocked before it could materialise. Gaddafi's dream of a Lamborghini desert army faded into the dunes. The real story is a slightly different according to those who worked at Lamborghini during that time, some of whom are still around today assisting the Italian brand with its Polo Storico special restoration projects. People like Walter Rinaldi and Rodrigo Filippani Ronconi. "Back in the day, the head of the technical department at Lamborghini was engineer Giulio Alfieri, who had previously served in the same position at Maserati from 1953 to 1975, and it was he who apparently is said to have had a common interest with Colonel Gaddafi. "The Libyan ruler wanted Lamborghini to a build a vehicle essentially to patrol the country's borders, but it had to have a machine gun mounted in the rear. "Lamborghini built a prototype but it was also not feasible for a high-performance brand like Lamborghini to create a vehicle with a machine gun in order to kill people." It also didn't sit well with the Italian government, which was "quite unhappy" that Lamborghini intended to build an off-roader with a machine gun for the Libyan ruler and so it forced Lamborghini to pull the pin on a military sales, at least. After the plan for military sales was quashed, Lamborghini continued developing the vehicle for sale to the super rich and powerful – and Saudi royals, oil sheikhs and Hollywood celebrities like Sylvester Stallone snapped them up, cementing its nickname: the 'Rambo Lambo'. According to Mr Rinaldi, Lamborghini built just 300 plus one LM002s between 1986 and 1993. And while they quickly became the toys of the day, the LM002 is considered the spiritual ancestor of the modern Lamborghini Urus, the super SUV that now dominates the automaker's sales charts. Incredibly, the LM002 tipped the scales at 3480kg – a good thing because according to Mr Rinaldi under Italian law you needed to have a truck licence to drive anything over 3500kg. Yet no Urus, no matter how fast, can match the pure outrageousness and excess of the LM002 – a vehicle originally conceived for use use exclusively in military operations. Engine and drivetrain Performance Chassis and suspension Brakes and wheels Dimensions Interior and features MORE: Everything Lamborghini Content originally sourced from: Powered by a V12 engine from the Countach, boasting a top speed of more than 200km/h, the Lamborghini LM002 4×4 wasn't just the world's first super SUV, it also came dangerously close to becoming the late Muammar Gaddafi's ultimate desert patrol weapon. Lamborghini was struggling financially in the 1970s, and its usual business of building low-slung supercars like the Miura and Countach wasn't enough to keep the lights on. In a bold pivot, the company decided to chase military contracts, dreaming up an all-terrain vehicle that would appeal to armies (and deep-pocketed rulers) in the Middle East. Its first attempt, the Cheetah (1977), was powered by a rear-mounted American V8 but was so unstable it never made it past testing. Its successor, the LM001, met the same fate. Finally, Lamborghini realised it had to think differently – so it dropped its legendary 5.2-litre V12 from the Countach into the front of the chassis. Thus, the LM002 was born. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Of course, the idea of shoving the powertrain from the Countach into the front of the LM002 wasn't a difficult decision at all, given the fact it was the only engine Lamborghini had at the time. Unbelievably, Alfieri also developed a 7.0-litre V12 for the LM004 that never saw the light of day because it was simply going to be too expensive to build. Colonel Gaddafi, who ruled Libya from 1969 to 2011, was infamous for his unpredictable tastes and ambitions. Reports suggest he was intrigued by Lamborghini's prototype and saw the potential for a high-speed, all-terrain military vehicle – perfect for patrolling Libya's vast deserts or showing off his military might. Gaddafi allegedly expressed interest in ordering up to 100 units of Lamborghini's rugged off-road monster for his military, on the condition that it could be equipped with a rear-mounted machine gun. In his eyes, this was to be a desert patrol vehicle like no other – fast, intimidating and luxurious. However, the Italian government intervened. With rising concerns about exporting military-grade vehicles and weapon systems to volatile regimes, the plan was blocked before it could materialise. Gaddafi's dream of a Lamborghini desert army faded into the dunes. The real story is a slightly different according to those who worked at Lamborghini during that time, some of whom are still around today assisting the Italian brand with its Polo Storico special restoration projects. People like Walter Rinaldi and Rodrigo Filippani Ronconi. "Back in the day, the head of the technical department at Lamborghini was engineer Giulio Alfieri, who had previously served in the same position at Maserati from 1953 to 1975, and it was he who apparently is said to have had a common interest with Colonel Gaddafi. "The Libyan ruler wanted Lamborghini to a build a vehicle essentially to patrol the country's borders, but it had to have a machine gun mounted in the rear. "Lamborghini built a prototype but it was also not feasible for a high-performance brand like Lamborghini to create a vehicle with a machine gun in order to kill people." It also didn't sit well with the Italian government, which was "quite unhappy" that Lamborghini intended to build an off-roader with a machine gun for the Libyan ruler and so it forced Lamborghini to pull the pin on a military sales, at least. After the plan for military sales was quashed, Lamborghini continued developing the vehicle for sale to the super rich and powerful – and Saudi royals, oil sheikhs and Hollywood celebrities like Sylvester Stallone snapped them up, cementing its nickname: the 'Rambo Lambo'. According to Mr Rinaldi, Lamborghini built just 300 plus one LM002s between 1986 and 1993. And while they quickly became the toys of the day, the LM002 is considered the spiritual ancestor of the modern Lamborghini Urus, the super SUV that now dominates the automaker's sales charts. Incredibly, the LM002 tipped the scales at 3480kg – a good thing because according to Mr Rinaldi under Italian law you needed to have a truck licence to drive anything over 3500kg. Yet no Urus, no matter how fast, can match the pure outrageousness and excess of the LM002 – a vehicle originally conceived for use use exclusively in military operations. Engine and drivetrain Performance Chassis and suspension Brakes and wheels Dimensions Interior and features MORE: Everything Lamborghini Content originally sourced from: Powered by a V12 engine from the Countach, boasting a top speed of more than 200km/h, the Lamborghini LM002 4×4 wasn't just the world's first super SUV, it also came dangerously close to becoming the late Muammar Gaddafi's ultimate desert patrol weapon. Lamborghini was struggling financially in the 1970s, and its usual business of building low-slung supercars like the Miura and Countach wasn't enough to keep the lights on. In a bold pivot, the company decided to chase military contracts, dreaming up an all-terrain vehicle that would appeal to armies (and deep-pocketed rulers) in the Middle East. Its first attempt, the Cheetah (1977), was powered by a rear-mounted American V8 but was so unstable it never made it past testing. Its successor, the LM001, met the same fate. Finally, Lamborghini realised it had to think differently – so it dropped its legendary 5.2-litre V12 from the Countach into the front of the chassis. Thus, the LM002 was born. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Of course, the idea of shoving the powertrain from the Countach into the front of the LM002 wasn't a difficult decision at all, given the fact it was the only engine Lamborghini had at the time. Unbelievably, Alfieri also developed a 7.0-litre V12 for the LM004 that never saw the light of day because it was simply going to be too expensive to build. Colonel Gaddafi, who ruled Libya from 1969 to 2011, was infamous for his unpredictable tastes and ambitions. Reports suggest he was intrigued by Lamborghini's prototype and saw the potential for a high-speed, all-terrain military vehicle – perfect for patrolling Libya's vast deserts or showing off his military might. Gaddafi allegedly expressed interest in ordering up to 100 units of Lamborghini's rugged off-road monster for his military, on the condition that it could be equipped with a rear-mounted machine gun. In his eyes, this was to be a desert patrol vehicle like no other – fast, intimidating and luxurious. However, the Italian government intervened. With rising concerns about exporting military-grade vehicles and weapon systems to volatile regimes, the plan was blocked before it could materialise. Gaddafi's dream of a Lamborghini desert army faded into the dunes. The real story is a slightly different according to those who worked at Lamborghini during that time, some of whom are still around today assisting the Italian brand with its Polo Storico special restoration projects. People like Walter Rinaldi and Rodrigo Filippani Ronconi. "Back in the day, the head of the technical department at Lamborghini was engineer Giulio Alfieri, who had previously served in the same position at Maserati from 1953 to 1975, and it was he who apparently is said to have had a common interest with Colonel Gaddafi. "The Libyan ruler wanted Lamborghini to a build a vehicle essentially to patrol the country's borders, but it had to have a machine gun mounted in the rear. "Lamborghini built a prototype but it was also not feasible for a high-performance brand like Lamborghini to create a vehicle with a machine gun in order to kill people." It also didn't sit well with the Italian government, which was "quite unhappy" that Lamborghini intended to build an off-roader with a machine gun for the Libyan ruler and so it forced Lamborghini to pull the pin on a military sales, at least. After the plan for military sales was quashed, Lamborghini continued developing the vehicle for sale to the super rich and powerful – and Saudi royals, oil sheikhs and Hollywood celebrities like Sylvester Stallone snapped them up, cementing its nickname: the 'Rambo Lambo'. According to Mr Rinaldi, Lamborghini built just 300 plus one LM002s between 1986 and 1993. And while they quickly became the toys of the day, the LM002 is considered the spiritual ancestor of the modern Lamborghini Urus, the super SUV that now dominates the automaker's sales charts. Incredibly, the LM002 tipped the scales at 3480kg – a good thing because according to Mr Rinaldi under Italian law you needed to have a truck licence to drive anything over 3500kg. Yet no Urus, no matter how fast, can match the pure outrageousness and excess of the LM002 – a vehicle originally conceived for use use exclusively in military operations. Engine and drivetrain Performance Chassis and suspension Brakes and wheels Dimensions Interior and features MORE: Everything Lamborghini Content originally sourced from: Powered by a V12 engine from the Countach, boasting a top speed of more than 200km/h, the Lamborghini LM002 4×4 wasn't just the world's first super SUV, it also came dangerously close to becoming the late Muammar Gaddafi's ultimate desert patrol weapon. Lamborghini was struggling financially in the 1970s, and its usual business of building low-slung supercars like the Miura and Countach wasn't enough to keep the lights on. In a bold pivot, the company decided to chase military contracts, dreaming up an all-terrain vehicle that would appeal to armies (and deep-pocketed rulers) in the Middle East. Its first attempt, the Cheetah (1977), was powered by a rear-mounted American V8 but was so unstable it never made it past testing. Its successor, the LM001, met the same fate. Finally, Lamborghini realised it had to think differently – so it dropped its legendary 5.2-litre V12 from the Countach into the front of the chassis. Thus, the LM002 was born. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Of course, the idea of shoving the powertrain from the Countach into the front of the LM002 wasn't a difficult decision at all, given the fact it was the only engine Lamborghini had at the time. Unbelievably, Alfieri also developed a 7.0-litre V12 for the LM004 that never saw the light of day because it was simply going to be too expensive to build. Colonel Gaddafi, who ruled Libya from 1969 to 2011, was infamous for his unpredictable tastes and ambitions. Reports suggest he was intrigued by Lamborghini's prototype and saw the potential for a high-speed, all-terrain military vehicle – perfect for patrolling Libya's vast deserts or showing off his military might. Gaddafi allegedly expressed interest in ordering up to 100 units of Lamborghini's rugged off-road monster for his military, on the condition that it could be equipped with a rear-mounted machine gun. In his eyes, this was to be a desert patrol vehicle like no other – fast, intimidating and luxurious. However, the Italian government intervened. With rising concerns about exporting military-grade vehicles and weapon systems to volatile regimes, the plan was blocked before it could materialise. Gaddafi's dream of a Lamborghini desert army faded into the dunes. The real story is a slightly different according to those who worked at Lamborghini during that time, some of whom are still around today assisting the Italian brand with its Polo Storico special restoration projects. People like Walter Rinaldi and Rodrigo Filippani Ronconi. "Back in the day, the head of the technical department at Lamborghini was engineer Giulio Alfieri, who had previously served in the same position at Maserati from 1953 to 1975, and it was he who apparently is said to have had a common interest with Colonel Gaddafi. "The Libyan ruler wanted Lamborghini to a build a vehicle essentially to patrol the country's borders, but it had to have a machine gun mounted in the rear. "Lamborghini built a prototype but it was also not feasible for a high-performance brand like Lamborghini to create a vehicle with a machine gun in order to kill people." It also didn't sit well with the Italian government, which was "quite unhappy" that Lamborghini intended to build an off-roader with a machine gun for the Libyan ruler and so it forced Lamborghini to pull the pin on a military sales, at least. After the plan for military sales was quashed, Lamborghini continued developing the vehicle for sale to the super rich and powerful – and Saudi royals, oil sheikhs and Hollywood celebrities like Sylvester Stallone snapped them up, cementing its nickname: the 'Rambo Lambo'. According to Mr Rinaldi, Lamborghini built just 300 plus one LM002s between 1986 and 1993. And while they quickly became the toys of the day, the LM002 is considered the spiritual ancestor of the modern Lamborghini Urus, the super SUV that now dominates the automaker's sales charts. Incredibly, the LM002 tipped the scales at 3480kg – a good thing because according to Mr Rinaldi under Italian law you needed to have a truck licence to drive anything over 3500kg. Yet no Urus, no matter how fast, can match the pure outrageousness and excess of the LM002 – a vehicle originally conceived for use use exclusively in military operations. Engine and drivetrain Performance Chassis and suspension Brakes and wheels Dimensions Interior and features MORE: Everything Lamborghini Content originally sourced from:
Perth Now
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
From Countach to Combat: The Lamborghini LM002 and Gaddafi's unrealised battle plan
Powered by a V12 engine from the Countach, boasting a top speed of more than 200km/h, the Lamborghini LM002 4×4 wasn't just the world's first super SUV, it also came dangerously close to becoming the late Muammar Gaddafi's ultimate desert patrol weapon. Lamborghini was struggling financially in the 1970s, and its usual business of building low-slung supercars like the Miura and Countach wasn't enough to keep the lights on. In a bold pivot, the company decided to chase military contracts, dreaming up an all-terrain vehicle that would appeal to armies (and deep-pocketed rulers) in the Middle East. Its first attempt, the Cheetah (1977), was powered by a rear-mounted American V8 but was so unstable it never made it past testing. Its successor, the LM001, met the same fate. Finally, Lamborghini realised it had to think differently – so it dropped its legendary 5.2-litre V12 from the Countach into the front of the chassis. Thus, the LM002 was born. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Of course, the idea of shoving the powertrain from the Countach into the front of the LM002 wasn't a difficult decision at all, given the fact it was the only engine Lamborghini had at the time. Unbelievably, Alfieri also developed a 7.0-litre V12 for the LM004 that never saw the light of day because it was simply going to be too expensive to build. Colonel Gaddafi, who ruled Libya from 1969 to 2011, was infamous for his unpredictable tastes and ambitions. Reports suggest he was intrigued by Lamborghini's prototype and saw the potential for a high-speed, all-terrain military vehicle – perfect for patrolling Libya's vast deserts or showing off his military might. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Gaddafi allegedly expressed interest in ordering up to 100 units of Lamborghini's rugged off-road monster for his military, on the condition that it could be equipped with a rear-mounted machine gun. In his eyes, this was to be a desert patrol vehicle like no other – fast, intimidating and luxurious. However, the Italian government intervened. With rising concerns about exporting military-grade vehicles and weapon systems to volatile regimes, the plan was blocked before it could materialise. Gaddafi's dream of a Lamborghini desert army faded into the dunes. The real story is a slightly different according to those who worked at Lamborghini during that time, some of whom are still around today assisting the Italian brand with its Polo Storico special restoration projects. People like Walter Rinaldi and Rodrigo Filippani Ronconi. Supplied Credit: CarExpert 'Back in the day, the head of the technical department at Lamborghini was engineer Giulio Alfieri, who had previously served in the same position at Maserati from 1953 to 1975, and it was he who apparently is said to have had a common interest with Colonel Gaddafi. 'The Libyan ruler wanted Lamborghini to a build a vehicle essentially to patrol the country's borders, but it had to have a machine gun mounted in the rear. 'Lamborghini built a prototype but it was also not feasible for a high-performance brand like Lamborghini to create a vehicle with a machine gun in order to kill people.' Supplied Credit: CarExpert It also didn't sit well with the Italian government, which was 'quite unhappy' that Lamborghini intended to build an off-roader with a machine gun for the Libyan ruler and so it forced Lamborghini to pull the pin on a military sales, at least. After the plan for military sales was quashed, Lamborghini continued developing the vehicle for sale to the super rich and powerful – and Saudi royals, oil sheikhs and Hollywood celebrities like Sylvester Stallone snapped them up, cementing its nickname: the 'Rambo Lambo'. According to Mr Rinaldi, Lamborghini built just 300 plus one LM002s between 1986 and 1993. And while they quickly became the toys of the day, the LM002 is considered the spiritual ancestor of the modern Lamborghini Urus, the super SUV that now dominates the automaker's sales charts. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Incredibly, the LM002 tipped the scales at 3480kg – a good thing because according to Mr Rinaldi under Italian law you needed to have a truck licence to drive anything over 3500kg. Yet no Urus, no matter how fast, can match the pure outrageousness and excess of the LM002 – a vehicle originally conceived for use use exclusively in military operations. Production years: 1986-1993 Units produced: Approximately 300, plus one Assembly: Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy Type: High-performance luxury off-road SUV Engine and drivetrain Engine type: Naturally aspirated V12, longitudinally mounted Displacement: 5167cc (5.2L) Bore x stroke: 85.5x75mm Compression ratio: 9.5:1 Valvetrain: DOHC 48-valve Fuel system: Six Weber 48 IDA DC carburettors Max power: 335kW (450hp) at 6800rpm Max torque: 500Nm (369lb-ft) at 4500rpm Transmission: Five-speed manual (ZF S5-24/3) Drivetrain: Permanent 4WD with centre differential lock Transfer case: Two-speed Performance Top speed: 210km/h (130mph) 0–100km/h (0–62mph): 7.8 seconds Fuel consumption: Approx 35L/100km (6.7mpg US!) Chassis and suspension Frame: Steel tubular spaceframe Body: Aluminium and fibreglass panels Front suspension: Independent double wishbone, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, anti-roll bar Rear suspension: Solid axle, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, anti-roll bar Brakes and wheels Front brakes: Ventilated discs Rear brakes: Ventilated discs Steering: Power-assisted rack-and-pinion Tires: Pirelli Scorpion 325/65 VR17 (custom-designed run-flat type) Dimensions Overall length: 4790mm (188.6in) Overall width: 2000mm (78.7in) Overall height: 1850mm (72.8in) Wheelbase: 2950mm (116.1in) Ground clearance: 300mm (11.8in) Kerb weight: 3480kg (5,952lb) Fuel capacity: 290 litres (76.6 US gal) Interior and features Leather-trimmed seats and dashboard (highly customisable at the time) Full air-conditioning (rare in off-roaders then) Premium stereo (often Alpine, depending on spec) Optional rear seats or flat cargo area Electric windows MORE: Everything Lamborghini
7NEWS
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
From Countach to Combat: The Lamborghini LM002 and Gaddafi's unrealised battle plan
Powered by a V12 engine from the Countach, boasting a top speed of more than 200km/h, the Lamborghini LM002 4×4 wasn't just the world's first super SUV, it also came dangerously close to becoming the late Muammar Gaddafi's ultimate desert patrol weapon. Lamborghini was struggling financially in the 1970s, and its usual business of building low-slung supercars like the Miura and Countach wasn't enough to keep the lights on. In a bold pivot, the company decided to chase military contracts, dreaming up an all-terrain vehicle that would appeal to armies (and deep-pocketed rulers) in the Middle East. Its first attempt, the Cheetah (1977), was powered by a rear-mounted American V8 but was so unstable it never made it past testing. Its successor, the LM001, met the same fate. Finally, Lamborghini realised it had to think differently – so it dropped its legendary 5.2-litre V12 from the Countach into the front of the chassis. Thus, the LM002 was born. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Of course, the idea of shoving the powertrain from the Countach into the front of the LM002 wasn't a difficult decision at all, given the fact it was the only engine Lamborghini had at the time. Unbelievably, Alfieri also developed a 7.0-litre V12 for the LM004 that never saw the light of day because it was simply going to be too expensive to build. Colonel Gaddafi, who ruled Libya from 1969 to 2011, was infamous for his unpredictable tastes and ambitions. Reports suggest he was intrigued by Lamborghini's prototype and saw the potential for a high-speed, all-terrain military vehicle – perfect for patrolling Libya's vast deserts or showing off his military might. Gaddafi allegedly expressed interest in ordering up to 100 units of Lamborghini's rugged off-road monster for his military, on the condition that it could be equipped with a rear-mounted machine gun. In his eyes, this was to be a desert patrol vehicle like no other – fast, intimidating and luxurious. However, the Italian government intervened. With rising concerns about exporting military-grade vehicles and weapon systems to volatile regimes, the plan was blocked before it could materialise. Gaddafi's dream of a Lamborghini desert army faded into the dunes. The real story is a slightly different according to those who worked at Lamborghini during that time, some of whom are still around today assisting the Italian brand with its Polo Storico special restoration projects. People like Walter Rinaldi and Rodrigo Filippani Ronconi. 'Back in the day, the head of the technical department at Lamborghini was engineer Giulio Alfieri, who had previously served in the same position at Maserati from 1953 to 1975, and it was he who apparently is said to have had a common interest with Colonel Gaddafi. 'The Libyan ruler wanted Lamborghini to a build a vehicle essentially to patrol the country's borders, but it had to have a machine gun mounted in the rear. 'Lamborghini built a prototype but it was also not feasible for a high-performance brand like Lamborghini to create a vehicle with a machine gun in order to kill people.' It also didn't sit well with the Italian government, which was 'quite unhappy' that Lamborghini intended to build an off-roader with a machine gun for the Libyan ruler and so it forced Lamborghini to pull the pin on a military sales, at least. After the plan for military sales was quashed, Lamborghini continued developing the vehicle for sale to the super rich and powerful – and Saudi royals, oil sheikhs and Hollywood celebrities like Sylvester Stallone snapped them up, cementing its nickname: the 'Rambo Lambo'. According to Mr Rinaldi, Lamborghini built just 300 plus one LM002s between 1986 and 1993. And while they quickly became the toys of the day, the LM002 is considered the spiritual ancestor of the modern Lamborghini Urus, the super SUV that now dominates the automaker's sales charts. Incredibly, the LM002 tipped the scales at 3480kg – a good thing because according to Mr Rinaldi under Italian law you needed to have a truck licence to drive anything over 3500kg. Yet no Urus, no matter how fast, can match the pure outrageousness and excess of the LM002 – a vehicle originally conceived for use use exclusively in military operations. Lamborghini LM002 specifications: Production years: 1986-1993 Units produced: Approximately 300, plus one Assembly: Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy Type: High-performance luxury off-road SUV Engine and drivetrain Engine type: Naturally aspirated V12, longitudinally mounted Displacement: 5167cc (5.2L) Bore x stroke: 85.5x75mm Compression ratio: 9.5:1 Valvetrain: DOHC 48-valve Fuel system: Six Weber 48 IDA DC carburettors Max power: 335kW (450hp) at 6800rpm Max torque: 500Nm (369lb-ft) at 4500rpm Transmission: Five-speed manual (ZF S5-24/3) Drivetrain: Permanent 4WD with centre differential lock Transfer case: Two-speed Performance Top speed: 210km/h (130mph) 0–100km/h (0–62mph): 7.8 seconds Fuel consumption: Approx 35L/100km (6.7mpg US!) Chassis and suspension Frame: Steel tubular spaceframe Body: Aluminium and fibreglass panels Front suspension: Independent double wishbone, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, anti-roll bar Rear suspension: Solid axle, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, anti-roll bar Brakes and wheels Front brakes: Ventilated discs Rear brakes: Ventilated discs Steering: Power-assisted rack-and-pinion Tires: Pirelli Scorpion 325/65 VR17 (custom-designed run-flat type) Dimensions Overall length: 4790mm (188.6in) Overall width: 2000mm (78.7in) Overall height: 1850mm (72.8in) Wheelbase: 2950mm (116.1in) Ground clearance: 300mm (11.8in) Kerb weight: 3480kg (5,952lb) Fuel capacity: 290 litres (76.6 US gal) Interior and features
Canberra Times
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- Canberra Times
From Countach to Combat: The Lamborghini LM002 and Gaddafi's unrealised battle plan
Its first attempt, the Cheetah (1977), was powered by a rear-mounted American V8 but was so unstable it never made it past testing. Its successor, the LM001, met the same fate. Finally, Lamborghini realised it had to think differently – so it dropped its legendary 5.2-litre V12 from the Countach into the front of the chassis. Thus, the LM002 was born.
Miami Herald
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
The Most Powerful Lamborghini Ever Will Also Be One Of The Rarest
In March this year, Lamborghini revealed the V12-powered Revuelto with an astonishing 1,001 horsepower, but it seems that figure is already soon to be eclipsed. If a report from The Supercar Blog is accurate, a new supercar is coming as "the most powerful Lamborghini ever made." The publication claims that the new vehicle will be based on the Revuelto but will carry a new name: Fenomeno. If that name sounds familiar, you may have seen that Sant'Agata applied to trademark the term in Europe, according to a filing unearthed by CarMoses back in April. The Supercar Blog says that Lamborghini recently hosted a private preview of the Fenomeno for some of its most elite customers, and that one of the clients who saw it described the Fenomeno as "a car that will change everything." The same client reportedly told TSB that the radical new supercar will harken to the past with a design inspired by one of the most iconic models in the brand's back catalog. It can't be the Countach because that's already been reimagined for the modern age, which potentially leads us to the Diablo, the Miura, and the 350 GT (though the latter was a front-engine car). However, shortly after the Countach LPI 800-4 arrived, company CEO Stephan Winkelmann told Autocar that he doesn't want to reimagine the past again, saying, "I'm not in favor of redoing cars. I look at the Miura and think it's great, but I think we really need to be focused on the future and we want to look back and say we were the ones who made new icons, not just copied old ones." Related: Mexican-Owned Lamborghini Revuelto Tries To Cross The Wrong Border Similar sentiments were shared by the head of service for Polo Storico, Lamborghini's in-house restoration department, when he told The Drive in January that the company is "not interested" in restomods and continuation cars. Thus, we can safely assume that the Fenomeno will be something entirely new, with only a little infusion of inspiration. Lamborghini wants its classics to remain special. At the same time, overdoing the nostalgia can indicate to buyers that a new car isn't all that novel. Thus, we can expect this new Lambo's styling to give a nod to the past without being defined by it. The final rumor claimed in the report is that the Fenomeno will be limited to just 29 examples, making it one of the rarest Lambos ever, behind only the Sesto Elemento (20 units), Veneno (13 units as a coupe plus nine in roadster form), Miura SVJ (3 units), and Diablo GT1 Stradale (2 units). The latter was part of an abandoned project, and there's a chance it may be the inspiration for this new Fenomeno. Let's assume that the Fenomeno will be revealed imminently but only reach production in 2026. If we subtract the number of units rumored for production from 2,026, we arrive at 1,997, and 1997 was the year in which the Diablo GT1 Stradale was produced. That's some seriously acrobatic arithmetic to justify our presumption, but until we receive official word from Sant'Agata, we'll have to keep playing the guessing game. Whatever the truth, this likely won't be the only Raging Bull stampeding towards us; the CarMoses report we mentioned at the outset revealed another new, yet-to-be-assigned Lambo name: Armero... Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
