Every so often, a vehicle comes along that completely rewrites the rules, standing apart as something completely unto its own. Back in the 1980s, an Italian manufacturer created a pickup truck that did just that, pairing a supercar-derived V12 with military-grade construction and luxurious interior finishes. To come from a name associated more with low-slung exotics than off-road utility, it made for a bold release.As such, even though it found its way into civilian life over time, this vehicle always remained something of a niche item throughout its production. Between the sharp-edged styling, the powerful engine under the hood, and the exotic maintenance expenses, it was more of a statement than it was a practical machine. All the same, thanks to four-wheel drive and massive Pirelli run-flat tires, it was as at home cruising dunes in the Middle East as it was running up Rodeo Drive. The LM002 Was Lambo's Unlikely V12 Off-Roader 1991 Lamborghini LM002 - 1 Lamborghini LM002 Specs LamborghiniIn the vast and varied world of obscure automotive oddities, few cars can compare to the Lamborghini LM002. The luxury Italian 4x4 is proudly absurd, excessive in looks and in engineering because of features like the six Weber carbs, 345-section tires, and 76-gallon fuel tank. Moreover, Lamborghini decided to drop the 5.2-liter V12 from the Lamborghini Countach in the engine bay along with a 5-speed dog leg transmission. As if that wasn't enough, the resulting design only purports to be a pickup truck— the rear bed houses a set of jump seats for bringing along your entourage. In any case, even once you understand how the Lamborghini LM002 came into existence, the off-roader doesn't seem any likelier to be a production vehicle. An Exotic Off-Roader With Military Origins The story of the LM002 starts back in 1976, as an American defense contractor by the name of Mobility Technology International (MTI) approached Lamborghini with a design for an all-terrain military vehicle. Evidently taken by the idea, the Bologna-based automaker got to work and brought the result— the Cheetah —to the Geneva Auto Show the following year. Between its rear-mounted 5.9-liter Chrysler V8 and its low-slung, open-aired design, it was an exotic concept. However, as its design closely resembled another American military vehicle (the FMC XR311), it was quickly dropped due to threats of legal action.Even with the MTI drama, Lamborghini remained committed to the idea of making a big, brazen off-roader, and new ownership in 1980 gave the company the capital it needed to realize its aspirations. Come 1981, the new LM001 debuted in Geneva with an AMC V8 and redesigned bodywork, a seemingly improved iteration of the Cheetah that had come before it. For all of its promise, though, the Lamborghini LM001 suffered the same handling issues as its predecessor because of a mid-engine design. Just one example was built before Lamborghini went back to the drawing board for a third effort. Of course, with the ensuing LM002, the Italian automaker finally found its stride. Lamborghini Found Its Footing With The LM002 Lamborghini had an LM002 built as early as 1982, and the car brought with it a number of changes over the LM 001 and the Cheetah. Along with relocating its engine to the front, the LM002 also featured a Countach V12, a stiff space frame chassis, and some fully independent suspension. Wrapped in a body comprised of fiberglass and aluminum, it came fitted with a ZF five-speed transmission mated to a two-speed transfer case, three lockable differentials, and a four-wheel-drive system. Four years later, Lamborghini started production of the first public LM002s, with the run lasting until 1993.When it comes to the actual driving experience, critics are divided. On the one hand, Car and Driver was enamored with the Italian super SUV, praising its "great brakes" and "supple Lambo suspension" and calling it "the most sensational outré vehicle to hit the road since the Bugatti Royale." By contrast, MotorTrend stated that the LM002 is "not exactly thrilling to drive—either short or long distance," referring to it as something that "screams like a supercar, steers like a bus, handles like Mt. Rushmore, drinks like a top fuel dragster, is as finicky as a reality T.V. star, and accelerates like a boulder rolling down a mountain." Bologna Had A Planned Successor In The LM003 Lambo Cars During its time on the market, the LM002 attracted some high-profile buyers in Keke Rosburg, Mike Tyson, Eddie Van Halen, and Sylvester Stallone. As such, Lamborghini continued to develop the SUV for further applications, including a turbo-diesel LM 003 along with an even more luxurious LM 004. Though neither model saw production, under the ownership of the Timor group later in the decade, Lamborghini considered a (different) LM 003 as a potential successor to the LM002. Lamborghini LM 003 Concept Highlights Debuted in 1997 Designed by SZ Design Known as the Borneo/Galileo Lamborghini to outsource the bodywork Although Car and Driver saw the LM002 as a vehicle that would sell "in the neighborhood of 1000 a year," the Italian SUV was actually pretty limited in its appeal at the time— just 300 or so examples sold over its entire production run from 1986 to 1993. Still, after it was discontinued, Timor and Lamborghini saw an opportunity in the niche, and they conducted an evaluation to determine the viability of a new LM car. Though it seemed like the SUV (named either Borneo or Galileo depending on the market) would serve as a steady low-volume seller, ultimately, Lamborghini buyers felt differently. Instead of a high-riding 4x4, the higher-ups determined that there was instead demand for something more traditionally Italian like the Espada. What Lamborghini's Exotic Pickup Costs Today Via MecumAuctions With just 300 examples built in total, the Lamborghini LM002 makes for a rare classic off-roader, and you'll find that it's usually priced accordingly. Though sales of the model reportedly took a dip during the mid-2000s, the Italian truck is now back on the rise. Per the Hagerty Price Tool, 1990 and 1991 examples command a premium over earlier models, though 'Fair' examples across the board will set you back in excess of $200,000. On the high end, only the later LM/American cars come close in valuation to a 'Concours' 1990 or 1991 LM002. 1986–1991 Lamborghini LM002 Valuations HagertyThough Hagerty's valuations are usually a little optimistic, they're actually somewhat conservative given the current state of the LM002 market. Over the last five years, Classic.com has reported an average sale of $361,090, with the lowest result falling to $170,500 and the highest coming to some $703,500. That example had received a full restoration with work valued at over $90,000, and it showed roughly 23,000 miles on the lock. Lamborghini LM002 Past Sales Low: $170,500 Average: $361,090 High: $703,500 Most Recent: $450,500 It's worth noting that, because of the model's scarcity, many LM002 parts were in short supply until only recently. Thanks to the efforts of dedicated owners and collectors, Lamborghini has deepened its part support, and it'll even perform a factory restoration for worn-out LM002s courtesy of its Polo Storico division if you have some cash to splash. Instead Of The LM002, We Now Have The Urus Via: Lamborghini When the Lamborghini Urus hit the market in 2018, it marked the Bologna-based automaker’s return to the SUV segment. However, unlike its ancestor, the model wasn’t a brute born from military roots, but rather an exotic Italian adaptation of the Volkswagen Group’s MLB Evo platform. Sharper in intent and more refined in execution, it traded the raw V12 and five-speed manual of the LM002 for a modern twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and a smart all-wheel-drive system. Though some concessions to modernization mean that the Urus has lost some of its predecessor’s off-road ability, it’s otherwise an even more potent machine on the street and the track. Lamborghini Urus Performante Specs LamborghiniIn true Lamborghini fashion, the automaker has only made the Urus increasingly capable since its debut, refining its formula through hybrid electric powerplants and hot up-spec performance variants. With the current Performante edition, the twin-turbo V8 has been tuned to make an authoritative 657 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque, enabling a 3.1-second 0–60 mph time and a 190-mph top speed. As a track-focused version of the SUV, the Performante sits lower and also benefits from fixed-spring coils and carbon-ceramic brakes.By contrast, the Urus SE benefits from the addition of a front-mounted electric motor. With a combined output of 789 ponies and 611 lb-ft of torque, it's closing in on double the power of the LM002— even with two-thirds of the cylinders. Suffice to say, then, that almost 50 years on from the Cheetah concept's unveiling, Lamborghini is doing some remarkable things in the super SUV segment.