Latest news with #LM002
Gulf Insider
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Gulf Insider
A Visit To Lamborghini's Polo Storico: Living the Legend
Like so many kids in the 1980s, I had a poster of the Lamborghini Countach on the wall of my childhood bedroom. My brother and I would cut pictures of supercars from magazines and tape them inside our closet, imagining ourselves driving them along the sunlit, winding roads of the Italian countryside. Decades later, that dream came full circle. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Automobili Lamborghini Polo Storico – the division dedicated to preserving the brand's legendary heritage – Gulf Insider took part in a special media event in Sant'Agata Bolognese. There, I experienced firsthand the incredible cars that inspired generations and saw how Lamborghini archives, certifies and restores these iconic machines. We stepped back into history as participants drove four incredible machines through the rolling hills: the elegant 400 GT, the bold LM002, the roaring Diablo SE and the ultimate head-turner – the Countach 25th Anniversary model. Back at the workshop, I got my hands dirty working on the Miura, arguably one of the most beautiful cars ever designed. These cars tell the incredible story of the brand: bold decisions, revolutionary design and innovative engineering – all wrapped in pure beauty. Nothing captures the Italian spirit quite like the raging bull of Lamborghini. Seeing these cars together is a reminder of how many 'firsts' Lamborghini achieved. The 400 GT – an evolution of the original 350 GT – was among the fastest, most refined grand tourers of its era, offering comfort and drivability that stood out from its peers. Ferruccio Lamborghini famously founded the company after a dispute with Enzo Ferrari, aiming to build a more reliable, road-friendly sports car than the Ferrari he owned. The Miura became the world's first true supercar, introducing innovations like the mid-engine layout, now a staple in modern performance cars. Its legend was sealed in pop culture with The Italian Job (1969), where a bright orange Miura glides through the Alps, setting the standard for automotive elegance. Next, the LM002 – the world's first luxury SUV. Nicknamed the 'Rambo Lambo,' it paved the way for today's Urus. The Countach, with its wild lines, became the poster car of the 1980s and a cinematic icon in films like The Cannonball Run and The Wolf of Wall Street. Then came the Diablo – a 1990s classic and among the first production cars to break the 200 mph barrier. Preserving this legacy hasn't been easy. Lamborghini's early decades saw financial troubles and shifting ownership. Today, its heritage is protected through three pillars: archiving, certification, and restoration. Today, that legacy is being safeguarded through three main pillars: the archive, where everything begins; certification and restoration. The Polo Storico team includes expert mechanics, historians, and veteran employees – some from as far back as the 1960s. We saw a remarkable archive of hand-drawn sketches, production sheets, old invoices, and even original customer names. Many of these documents were once thought lost, later found in forgotten storage rooms – or in the homes of retired staff who had quietly preserved pieces of Lamborghini's history. Alessandro Farmeschi, Lamborghini's After Sales Director, explained: 'For us, the archive means knowing the history of each and every vehicle. In the mass automotive market, there's something called the 'end of life' of a product. For Lamborghini, this doesn't exist. Every single car is a piece of art – a collectible. They're assets, and we see our job as adding value to those assets.' In addition to building the archive, the team offers a certification service for classic Lamborghini models. Each vehicle undergoes a detailed inspection and documentation process to verify its originality. We saw how each car is meticulously examined and cross-referenced with historical records. It's a labour-intensive job, but fascinatingly reveals each car's unique story, tracing back to its factory origins. Owners can also request full restorations. The dedicated mechanics who carry out this craftsmanship showed us the work being done on the Miura's V12 engine. Every component is fine-tuned with incredible precision, factoring in everything from driving style to climatic conditions to deliver the ultimate performance. To achieve this, the team uses a mix of modern and traditional tools, including one irreplaceable asset: the ears of Giancarlo Barbieri, who's been with the factory since the 1960s and, half-jokingly, claims his hearing is still more accurate than any modern diagnostic device. Sourcing spare parts is a challenge in itself. If not found in old stock, the team searches the market. If that fails, they reach out to original manufacturers or reverse-engineer the part themselves. To stay true to each car's original form, Lamborghini also partners with tyre manufacturer Pirelli to recreate vintage tyres long out of production. Mr Farmeschi further explained the philosophy behind their work: 'We have certified only 200 cars so far and completed restoration on just 40. Our objective is not volume – it's about doing things the right way.' I also spoke with him about the Middle East market specifically. 'We have many customers in the Middle East who own these collectible cars,' he said. 'They're part of some of the finest collections in the region. We have great relationships with them, and the Middle East is a key market for us.' Naturally, having official certification from Lamborghini adds significant value to these vehicles, and the company is keen to work closely with Middle Eastern collectors. 'The key word here is trust,' he added. 'A recent study confirms that trust is one of the most important factors for collectors – you need to trust the seller and the history of the car. Our certification is the statement that 'this is the car.' That brings real value.' As we left the event, Lamborghini's latest models – the Urus, new Temerario, and Revuelto – were parked outside. It was hard not to wonder if these high-tech machines would ever evoke the same raw emotion as the classics we'd just seen. Lamborghini is embracing electrification, but not just for lower emissions. For them, electric tech is a means to elevate performance. So far, it's proving true. Only time will tell if today's lineup will become tomorrow's icons, inspiring future generations like the Miura or Countach did.
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.
