Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Lamborghini is known for its exotic supercars that combine exhilarating performance with stunning good looks, but the automaker has a history that goes beyond the paved roadway. In 1986, the Italian marque introduced the LM002 at the Brussels Motor Show. An early predecessor to the Urus super SUV, the LM002 raised the bar for off-road vehicles. Affectionately nicknamed "Rambo Lambo," the high-performance off-roader saw just 301 units made before production came to an end in 1992.LamborghiniExperiments in off-road prowessThe origins of the Rambo Lambo date back to the brand's first foray into the world of off-road performance vehicles. The Italian automaker kicked things off at the 1977 Geneva Motor Show. There, they put the Cheetah, an all-wheel drive prototype, on full display. It was originally designed to garner interest from military units, including the United States, but it did much more.LamborghiniView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementUnder the Cheetah's hood sat a 5.9-liter V8 engine developed by Chrysler. It came mated to a three-speed automatic transmission that delivered power to the permanent all-wheel drive system. In all, the rear-mid-engine layout offered 183 horsepower and roughly 267 lb-ft of torque. Unfortunately, the Cheetah's performance was lackluster, hitting 62 mph in nine seconds, despite weighing 4,500 lbs. Development of the Cheetah never progressed past a single prototype, but it established a platform that Lamborghini could build on.The LM001 marked the Italian brand's second foray into off-road vehicles. This time, Lamborghini shifted from the experimental Cheetah to a more structured approach. Unveiled at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show, the LM001 was designed to appeal to governments, militaries, and civilians alike. Like the Cheetah, it featured a permanent four-wheel drivetrain and three-speed automatic transmission.LamborghiniThe LM001 came stocked with the Countach's 332-horsepower 4.8-liter V12 engine. Torque distribution was heavily weighted toward the rear axle. Ground clearance peaked at 16.7 inches in the center. Despite its performance, the LM001 was slower than the Cheetah, striking 62 mph in 12 seconds. The model also had some major design issues that affected its off-road performance.Just one year after unveiling the LM001, Lamborghini pulled the curtain back to unveil the LMA at the 1982 Geneva Motor Show. In this model, the engine was relocated to the front, effectively laying the foundation for the LM002. The front-engine layout improved layout distribution which resulted in a revised three-box design. It shared the same V12 engine that powered the previous off-road SUV. The old three-speed automatic transmission was replaced by a five-speed manual, and the driver could also swap between rear and all-wheel drive as well.LamborghiniThinking about selling your car? Get an instant cash offer online now. Click here to get started.The first true super SUVIn 1986, Lamborghini brought the LM002 into the public eye for the first time. Despite its $120,000 price tag, it became an instant hit, garnering attention thanks to its commanding presence. At the heart of the high-performance off-road SUV sat the Countach Quattrovalvole's 5.2-liter V12 engine that produced an estimated 450 horsepower. Although the LM002 weighed in at nearly 6,000 lbs., it boasted a top speed of 130 mph.LamborghiniA five-speed ZF manual transmission sent power to the selectable all-wheel drive system. The drivetrain itself consisted of three self-locking differentials. As a whole, the LM002 was overengineered to operate under the most extreme conditions. It rode on a reinforced tubular steel chassis and an independent suspension system with wishbones that optimized wheel travel. The LM002 could also travel through 32 inches of water in stock form.AdvertisementAdvertisementIn order to support the LM002's impressive off-road performance, tires had to be developed specifically for the SUV. Engineered by Pirelli, the Scorpion BK featured sidewalls that allowed the LM002 to travel across desert dunes with directional precision. The tread was derived from rally competition tires, and the structure itself was made of anti-cut material.Lamborghini"The LM002 represents one of the roots of Lamborghini's contemporary vision," said Stephan Winkelmann, Chairman and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini. "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."Rise of the UrusDecades after production of the LM002 ended, Lamborghini unveiled the Urus concept. It combined high performance with a modern aesthetic, notably shedding the sharp angles and boxy styling in favor of smooth lines and curves. It wasn't until five years later, in December 2017, that the Italian marque brought the Urus to market. Under the hood sat a twin-turbo V8 engine that generated 641 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. It was much quicker than its predecessor, racing to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 190 mph.Exotic Car TraderView the 1 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementIn April 2024, Lamborghini introduced the Urus SE plug-in hybrid. While the twin-turbo V8 carried over, the manufacturer added an electric motor and 25-kWh lithium-ion battery, bringing performance up to 789 to 800 horsepower. The addition of an electric motor and battery improved fuel economy as well, and the Urus was capable of traveling up to 37 miles on electrical power alone."The Urus SE is a fundamental evolutionary step, not only in terms of sustainability by virtue of a radical reduction in CO2 emissions, but also in terms of performance and sportiness, thanks to the adoption of cutting-edge technical solutions starting with the hybrid powertrain," said Stefano Cossalter, Product Line Director for Urus and Lanzador.Exotic Car TraderShopping for a new car? Click here to get a great deal on your next vehicle. Powered by Carvana, no haggle pricing, 100% online.Final thoughtsProduced between 1986 and 1992, the LM002 saw a production run of just 301 units. While it didn't come to North American until 1989, the high-performance off-road SUV has only increased in value over time. Earlier this year, a 1990 model sold on Bring A Trailer for upwards of $420,000. The Pirelli Scorpion BK tires themselves are worth a pretty penny as well, with sets of five selling for $10,000 and $5,000 this past January and February respectively.LamborghiniThere's no doubt that the LM002 and previous iterations of Lamborghini's high-performance off-road SUV laid the groundwork for the Urus we see today. While it may not be as rugged, the Urus carries core attributes of the LM002 into the modern day. Perhaps best of all, Lamborghini continues to ensure the LM002 lives on by providing owners with restoration services and original spare parts.AdvertisementAdvertisementDisclaimer: Autoblog aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Aug 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the Features section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.