Lambo’s off-roader rebornCould the future hold an SUV for Lamborghini? If automotive designer, Rene Harrigan, and his LM 400 concept have anything to do with it the LM 002 could make a return.

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Cast your mind back to the 1980’s, when the closest thing to gangster rap was the “Rapper’s Delight” by the Sugar hill Gang, and the only gargantuan off-roader to hold cred with the well-heeled crowd was the Lamborghini LM002.

Well, automotive designer Rene Harrigan (best known for designing alloy wheels for Prodrive’s Subaru Imprezas) thought it was high time that the LM 002 made a comeback and has penned the LM 400 as a contemporary concept to take on the likes of Hummer and Land Rover.

The LM 400 Concept is based on the Audi Q7 platform and features an all-aluminum structure. The design encompasses four different body styles from the entry-level LM V8 to the luxury LMR, which mounts a 447 kW V12 engine. Allowances have been made for a a range of engines, including V8, V10 and V12 units from the Volkswagen AG stable, to be utilised across the model range.

The exterior styling adopts the typically angular and aggressive looks of more recent Lamborghinis, but remains faithful to the original LM 002 with a rugged overall appearance and practical touches such as a folding rear bench and lockable extending load floor.

Just 301 LM 002s were produced from 1986 to 1993. It was the final evolution a project started in 1977 that aimed to supply off-road vehicles to the US Army.

The four original LM 002 concepts did not do well - the Cheetah Concept was destroyed in a crash during military testing in the desert, while the remaining three - the LM 001 (powered by a rear-mounted AMC V8), the LM 003 sporting a comparatively miniscule 3,0-liters turbodiesel unit) and the LM 004 (fitted with a 7,3 litre petrol engine originally created for marine use) did not crack the nod from Uncle Sam. Consequently, none of these concepts survive today.

Although there is no word as to whether Lamborghini will show any interest in such a model, Harrigan has gone as far as speculating production requirements and pricing for the LM Concepts, with the price of the entry–level model sitting at $54 000 (R 385 560) and the range-topping LMR costing a whopping $230 000 (about R 1,6 million).

cant wait to see the new offroader in real life... if it comes out i want to be the first on the list.

Yes, please it would be so cool.

to Lambo: Build it and they will come

Yes this would be great for Lamborghini IMO. I used to be crazy about the LM002.

M

this could do to Lamborghini what the Cayenne did for Porsche.
But given that Porsche has a controlling share in VAG, I wonder if thats ever going to happen

LOOOL just what i was thinking

That thing will definitely sell, but they have to make it TRUE off-road worthy.