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10 October 2017

The Lamborghini Urus SUV is coming, but don't forget the V12 LM002 from the '80s

By James LisleJames Lisle
It's as if a Lamborghini Countach had a baby with an industrial crane.

It's the car that looks like it was designed for Arms Dealers and the Pope. But you just have to love it.

We all have to start somewhere - and it hardly ever turns out right - but I think Lamborghini hit the nail on the head first try with the LM002.

First off, there's the looks. It's not svelte or sexy like a Ferrari, but it rather displays its prowess through imposing simplicity. It's wide and tall, and so goddamn flat. It looks like it charges through buildings rather than goes around them. And it probably would too, because even though the body is fibreglass and aluminium, the overall weight of the vehicle is a mammoth 2700kg. Yikes.

When you have to invade a country at 4:00, but compete in a rally stage by 5:00. When you have to invade a country at 4:00, but compete in a rally stage by 5:00.

Luckily however, the '86 LM002 came with a 5.2-litre 335kW (450hp) V12. And if you're thinking those figures sound familiar, you'd be right - the engine was lifted straight out of the flagship Countach. Carbs and all.

Comparatively, a Hummer H1 weighs around 3400kg. Comparatively, a Hummer H1 weighs around 3400kg.

But it's not like it's 'fast' fast. Credit where credit's due, it gets the dinosaur up to 100km/h in an impressive 7.7 seconds, but the top speed is a very limited 200km/h. That said, would you really want to go that fast? Or afford to?

Lamborghini somehow managed to shoehorn 5167cc's worth of engine in there. Along with the world's hardest working radiator. Lamborghini somehow managed to shoehorn 5167cc's worth of engine in there. Along with the world's hardest working radiator.

Fuel consumption is, erm... high. Like, really high - as is expected with a vehicle of this size. But while Lamborghini hasn't released fuel consumption figures, some estimate it to be around 35.7L/100km. If you drive like an undertaker.

With a 290-litre petrol tank and premium fuel currently hovering around $1.53, a single fuel stop would set you back $443. Say goodbye to all of that smashed avacado, punk.

For off-road ability, the LM002 came with a low-range transfer case, three diff locks, and massive 325-section Pirelli Scorpio run flat tires. How much for a set? We found a pair for $10,000 here

Those two levers down next to the seat are for the low range case and diff locks. Those two levers down next to the seat are for the low range case and diff locks.

But who would buy one? That's the thing, the LM002 was never really supposed to exist in the first place.

It was originally designed to be an extreme desert autobahn stormer for the military; a kind of army version of a hip-hop music video, except that when the "Cheetah" armored vehicle concept was nearing its final form for a US defense contract, no only really wanted to buy it. When it was time for the US to decide who got their massive defense contract, they gave it to AM General. And so AM General's HMMWV 'Humvee' was born.

The original Cheetah prototype had a rear-mounted V8, and apparently rolled over when they were showing it off to the US. The original Cheetah prototype had a rear-mounted V8, and apparently rolled over when they were showing it off to the US.

But what about Lamborghini? In order to make some kind of investment, Lamborghini decided to break out the hammers and make a civilian version of the Cheetah instead. But that never really sold either. In its seven-year lifespan, just 46 were sold each year. All of which were left-hand drive. Lame.

But hey, while the LM002 didn't sell that well - and was completely mad in every way - it was a real Lamborghini. And if that's what we can expect from the Urus, it should be some pretty good stuff.

What do you think of the LM002? Would you get one second hand or wait until the Urus. Tell us what you think below.