It was not until 1981 that another attempt was made
to develop a 4x4, this time called the LM001. Again with a rear-mounted
engine (albeit this time with a Lamborghini V12) this model proved to have
unacceptable characteristics due to the location of the engine. Shown at
the Geneva Show of 1981 it was used to develop a new model.
Thus was born the LMA or LM002 in 1982, now with
a front mounted V12 engine from the Countach.
After a lengthy gestation priod, production began in 1986 featuring a number
of changes, including the adoption of the Quattrovalvole engine.
Utilising a steel tube spaceframe chassis, the design
was boxy, with a small exposed platform at the rear and enormous tyres.
The bodywork was fibreglass (roof, bonnet and wings) and aluminium (doors).
The 5.2-litre 48-valve V12 from the Countach was coupled to a ZF gearbox
(5-speed with a 2-speed transfer box) and a part-time four-wheel-drive
system (utilising free-wheeling front hubs). Inside, the four seat cockpit
was trimmed luxuriously with leather and included air conditioning etc.
One example powered by a 3-litre 6 cylinder turbodiesel
(by VM) was built, known as the LM003. Another limited volume model was
the LM004 which used a Lamborghini 7257cc quad-cam V12 developed for powerboats
which generated 420bhp. A rally version of the LM002 was also developed
and used by Munari in various Raids, featuring larger fuel tanks, still
more power and a significant reuction in weight.
Production ceased in 1992.
In
1977 Lamborghini developed a rear engined (Chrysler 5898cc V8 unit with
183bhp) four wheel drive vehicle, the Cheetah. This had been comissioned
by MTI, a US company, as a fast, all-terrain vehicle for the armed forces
but the performance was weak and the dynamics poor. After launch at the
Geneva Motorshow of that year that project went no further.
Technical Details
| Engine | 5167cc (85.5x75mm) V12 with 4 valves per cylinder and 455bhp @ 7,000rpm |
| Suspension | front : double wishbone and coil springs plus anti-roll bar
rear : double wishbone and coil springs plus anti-roll bar wheelbase : 3000mm track (front & rear) : 1615mm Tyres : Pirelli Scorpion 325/65-VR17 |
| Brakes | front : ventilated discs
rear : drums |
| Transmission | 5 speed ZF manual (plus 2-speed transfer box) |
| Kerb weight | 2,700kg |
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