The Lamborghini LM001 was a prototype offroad vehicle designed and built by Lamborghini. It was first revealed at the 1981 Geneva Auto Show with the new Jalpa.
Despite the failure of the Cheetah project, the idea of a Lamborghini offroad vehicle was still very much alive, and with new capital from deep pocketed investors, the Cheetah concept was redesigned into the LM001. Only now instead of using a Chrysler engine, they chose to go with a 180 hp 5.9L AMC built V8, with the intention of offering the V12 from the Countach for production models.
Name[]
The name LM001 is commonly referred to in two ways :
- Lamborghini Militaria number 1
- Lamborghini Mimram for the abbreviation as the Swiss based Mimran family just bought into the company.
Performance[]
Comparing the Cheetah to the LM001, we can hardly say that the latter was an evolution of the Cheetah, but rather a revolution. It is true that the engine was mounted in the same place and that it was also an American-made V8, but the similarities tend to stop there. This first LM001 prototype had a 5896 cc AMC engine installed, but later the option of putting a 4754 cc Countach V12 engine that would generate 375 hp to all four wheels was considered.
The LM001 did however suffer from the same issue that plagued the Cheetah three years earlier, with the engine in this position the front to rear weight balance was less than perfect, the AMC V8 engine offered ‘only’ 180hp, but this still allowed the LM001 to reach a top speed of 160 Km/h just imagine what a 375hp V12 would mean. Taken into account the Countach put about 1,500kg down while the LM001 weighed in at 2,100 kg and didn’t have the same aerodynamic shape I do think speeds well over 200 Km/h would be possible as the Countach listed 300 Km/h as a top speed which might have been a but optimistic however.
But straight line speed wouldn’t be the issue on the LM001, cornering and outright maneuverability were negatively influenced from being tail heavy, some further development and testing was put into the LM001 before Lamborghini decided to turn around the entire concept and put the engine in the front which lead to the LMA002 prototype.
Design[]
The design of the LM001, was not built with a sleek appearance in mind, but rather a more practical approach was taken in this concept, many flat panels were used, which would allow the armour to be executed much more easily when needed for military use or to protect the wealthy owner of the car.
Up front a pair of rectangular headlights replaced the quartet of round units seen on the Cheetah, while the four doors on the LM001 were meant to stay in place, unlike on the Cheetah which was seen without doors in most photos, still the roof was able to open up, a large canvas section could be moved backwards allowing a machine gun turret to be used.
With the engine in the back some serious looking air intakes were required, these were found behind the rear doors but also in front of the rear wheels on the side sills and additionally large air vents were present at the rear too, because of this extra weight in the back it became apparent the front would become light under fierce acceleration.
It would take a radical change to the initial design of the LM001 to make it viable for sale, and the third attempt was a giant leap forward, the LMA002 was developed with the massive V12 engine between the front wheels this concept would eventually lead to the actual production version LM002 that would impress the world as a real Lamborghini.
Specifications[]
- General :
| Years built | 1981 |
| Production | 1 unit |
| Engine | AMC V-8 (V12 Optional) |
| Power | 180 hp @ 4,000 rpm |
| Torque | 267 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm |
| Top Speed | 99 mph |
| Weight | 2,100 kg |
| Color | Sandstorm |
| Special feature | Radio System |
Gallery[]
.jpg "1981 Lamborghini LM001 (1).jpg (60 KB)")
.jpg "1981 Lamborghini LM001 (2).jpg (60 KB)")
.jpg "1981 Lamborghini LM001 (3).jpg (62 KB)")
.jpg "1981 Lamborghini LM001 (4).jpg (57 KB)")
.jpg "1981 Lamborghini LM001 (5).jpg (64 KB)")
See also[]
References[]
- Images : © LamboCARS.com