Money may not buy happiness, but won’t you rather cry in a Lambo than in a bus? (lol). Lamborghini has truly made a name for itself as a manufacturer of drool-worthy supercars that are more often seen on bedroom posters than on the road. While a larger number of people adore the famous two-seat Lambo, the 4-seat SUV model has equally received great love over the years.

So lately a couple of questions popped into my head, like what was the first Lamborghini SUV? and when was the first Lamborghini SUV made. I got curious and decided to take a look into the Italian brand’s timeline to find the first ever Lamborghini SUV. Here are a couple of things I found.

The Lamborghini Urus is the first SUV in the Italian manufacturer’s lineup. This high-performance luxury SUV was first unveiled in 2017 and made its official market entry in 2018. The Lamborghini Urus is a successor to the Lamborghini LM002, an off-road truck that was famously known as the “Rambo Lambo” and was produced between 1986 and 1993.

History of Lamborghini

Ferruccio Lamborghini, a wealthy self-made postwar industrialist, was inspired to found Automobili Lamborghini in 1963 in part because of his personal dislike for the sports car establishment, particularly Ferrari.

The unique position that the Lamborghini brand holds in today’s congested stratosphere of supercars and hypercars stems from the mind of its distinctive founder.

Ferruccio set out to build a brand that embraced romance and performance without the constraints of motorsport, old money, or the traditional “in-crowd.” And that turned out to be a good decision.

First Lamborghini SUV?

The Cheetah and the LM001 were two prototype vehicles, that prepared the way for the LM002. Both vehicles were designed for military use and featured rear-mounted American engines, but they were not well welcomed.

The second model, the “LM002,” was the first of the three to see real production by Lamborghini, and was inspired by the notion of using a front-mounted Countach V12 to power the LM001. The LM002 is one of a series of Lamborghini Militaria vehicles.

When was the first Lamborghini made?

Automobili Lamborghini was founded in 1963 in Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy, and its first automobile was invented the same year – the Lamborghini 350 GTV, a two-seater coupe with a V12 engine.

When was the first Lamborghini SUV made?

In 1977, Lamborghini produced its first military vehicle, a prototype with the codename “Cheetah.” The vehicle was created with the intention of being sold to oil exploration and production corporations.

While the original Cheetah was designed with a rear-mounted Chrysler V8 engine, the only completed prototype, however, was never tested by the U.S. military, and was only shown to them by Rodney Pharis, its designer.

MTI eventually sold it to Teledyne Continental Motors, and it appears to still be in the United States. As a result, Lamborghini developed the LM001, which was based on the Cheetah but included an AMC V8 engine.

Then came the LMA002, often referred to as the ‘Rambo Lambo’ as a second entry into the market. But this time, it featured a whole new chassis, shifting the engine (now the V12 from the Lamborghini Countach) to the front – it was decided that mounting the engine in the rear generated too many unfavorable handling characteristics in an offroad vehicle.

Lamborghini did not build the LM002 as the first of its sort. Producing an off-road truck like the LM002 between 1986 and 1993 was a surprising change since the brand was known for high-performance, hand-built super/sports vehicles at the time.

The prototype was given a serial number and became the first LM002 after extensive testing and modifications.

List of Lamborghini SUVs

Lamborghini Urus

The Urus is a highly designed super SUV that pushes the boundaries of this exotic supercar manufacturer.

Although the Urus costs about a quarter of a million dollars, it is still the least expensive Lamborghini available. It’s also the finest value in the Italian company’s lineup due to its ability to transport more than two passengers and a large amount of luggage.

Lamborghini LM002

Although the Lamborghini Urus is definitely eye-catching and Instagrammable, it isn’t the first high-riding four-door 4×4 to bear the Raging Bull crest.

The infamously macho V-12-powered Lamborghini LM002, built between 1986 and 1993, was one of the oldest and most gloriously lavish automobiles to come from the money-rich and drug-laced 1980s and has lingered in enthusiast culture as a remnant of old-world Lamborghini.

This SUV with a supercar history will turn heads on a track day, and it’s the most practical Lambo money can buy.

Where did Lamborghini originate from

Lamborghini is a luxury sports vehicle and SUV brand from Italy. In case you’re wondering who owns Lamborghini: currently, the Italian carmaker is a subsidiary of Audi, which is owned by the Volkswagen Group.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where can I get a Lamborghini?

Lamborghini promoted lifestyle, luxury, and simply making a statement, and this attracted a devoted following of international, energetic, and ambitious customers who saw an Italian V12 sports car with the raging bull of Sant’Agata on the bonnet – rather than the prancing horse of Maranello – as the ultimate calling card.

There are a couple of Lamborghini dealers, you can find the one close to you through the dealer locator on Lamborghini’s official website.

How much does Lamborghini cost

The Italian automobile manufacturer is recognized worldwide for producing some of the most exotic sports cars. Depending on the model, a Lamborghini can cost anywhere from $200,000 to $500,000.

The Urus is the cheapest Lamborghini, its pricing starts at $211,321. However it doesn’t disappoint the roaring bull siblings in any way.

Now you don’t only know the first Lamborghini SUV but also its predecessors. As always Lamborghinis stand out in the league of luxury cars. If you love car history, then check out these 11 Stunning Photos of the Famous 1935 Chevrolet Suburban

About the Author

Larry Cruise

Editor

I know a lot about cars, man. I can look at any car's headlights and tell you exactly which way it's coming.

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