Lamborghini LM002 Turns 40: The First Super SUV
Forty years have passed since Lamborghini unveiled the LM002 at the Brussels Motor Show in January 1986, a vehicle destined to redefine the very concept of the high-performance off-roader.
- 301
- 450 CV
- 210 km/h
What Happened
Lamborghini unveiled the LM002 at the Brussels Motor Show in January 1986, a vehicle that combined the DNA of its super sports cars with unprecedented off-road capability. Powered by a 5,167 cc V12 engine derived from the Countach, it produced approximately 450 CV and could reach 210 km/h. The LM002 was produced until 1992, with only 301 examples built, making it a rare and iconic predecessor to the modern Urus.
“The LM002 represents one of the roots of Lamborghini’s contemporary vision. Far ahead of its time, it anticipated the concept of the Super SUV, inspiring not only our product philosophy but also design elements that can still be found today throughout the Urus family.”
Lamborghini unveils the Cheetah prototype, an all-wheel-drive off-road vehicle
LM001 presented at Geneva Motor Show with rear-mounted V12
LMA prototype with front-engine layout shown at Geneva
LM002 debuts at Brussels Motor Show as the first Super SUV
301
Built between 1986 and 1992, including 60 LM/American units
Why this matters
The LM002 was the world’s first Super SUV, combining supercar performance with off-road capability, and it laid the foundation for Lamborghini’s modern Urus, pioneering a segment that is hugely popular today.
Terms in This Story
- Super SUV
- A high-performance luxury SUV that combines sports car speed with off-road capability.
- V12
- A twelve-cylinder engine configuration known for power and smoothness.
- Pirelli Scorpion BK
- A specialized tire developed for the LM002 with unique sidewall features for sand driving.
- Polo Storico
- Lamborghini's department dedicated to preserving and restoring historic vehicles.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.