Autoblog

Tina Turner is one of the most successful performing and recording artists of all time. She's won eight Grammies, hit the Billboard Top 10 seven times and sold more concert tickets than any other solo performer in history. Unfortunately she never learned how to drive stick, but having sold over 180 million records, she could well afford (and as The Queen of the Rock & Roll could hardly afford not) to buy a Lamborghini. So Turner bought an LM002, the Lamborghini of sport-utility vehicles, and had the original Countach V12 ripped out and swapped for a V8 out of a Mercedes E500 with an automatic transmission.

Naturally, the retrofit also included a thumpin' entertainment system, including a 1500-Watt Blaupunkt stereo and a whole load of lights and mirrors. The conversion originally cost twice the value of the truck itself, at 150,000 deutschemarks. The truck has been workin' for the man every night and day ever since, but now it could be your very own private dancer, a dancer for money: the vehicle is on the market for Є179,000. Seems like a fair price for a unique and storied vehicle: we've seen Lamborghini-powered Audis, but never a Mercedes-powered Lambo.

[Source: Autobild via German Car Blog]

Lamborghini's pushing to ring up 3,000 sales per year, about 500 more than they currently move. Were they to drop a new Miura, revived LM002, or some other new model, they'd likely reach that target without any problem. Lambo Capo Rupert Stadler isn't in favor of spending the considerable development dollars it would take to bring a new model to market. Before coming out with a new car, it's more prudent for Lamborghini to sell its capacity of Murcielagos and Gallardos first.

So, if you're not coming out with a new car, but you want to move more units, what's an automaker to do? We somehow doubt that LP640s and Reventons will be showing up in rental fleets, and there's no such thing as incentives when it comes to supercars, so that strategy's out, too. Extra-special editions of the already special Italian cars, like the Murcielago SV and Superleggera versions of both vehicles should entice more buyers to pony up. If that doesn't work, they could always have a "push, pull or tow" event.

Follow the read link for a Google-translated version of the original story.

[Source: Caradisiac]

Fast Lane Daily got some camera time with Stefan Winkelmann, head of Lamborghini. After a discussing the 20-samples-only Reventon for a few minutes, Fast Lane's interviewer asks Winkelmann what he thinks of the Audi R8 and the effect it might have on the Gallardo. If you know anything about Mr. Winkelmann or Lamborghini, you already know his answer. And then Winkelmann is asked about the rumors of a Lamborghini SUV. With a smile, but with no hesitation, his answer was a brief two words: "No SUV." So there. Purists, you can rejoice now. Check out the entire video after the jump.

[Source: Veoh]

Just like the NSX mule that's been spotted ripping around, this Porsche Cayenne is masquerading as something it's not. What the end result actually is remains a mystery, but something's using fat-ass über-SUV duds to fly incognito. Motor Authority reports that there's a Lamborghini LM002 successor lurking under there. The Lambo-ute successor reportedly uses a version of the Cayenne platform, likely powered by the Gallardo V10.

GermanCarBlog, on the other hand, attributes the outward subterfuge to development work on a Porsche GT Coupe. The bodies are rumored to be mere shells, with a lot of hardware stripped. How else would you explain their scorching times around the 'Ring? Whatever it turns out to be, we'll try to corner someone from Porsche or Lamborghini in Frankfurt and get some hints.

[Source: Carspynew via GermanCarBlog]

The terms "exotic" and "SUV" seldom go together. With few exceptions, the closest you might get is the Porsche Cayenne, or in reference to the rig you use to tow your supercar from track to concours. One notable exception is the Lamborghini LM002. Nicknamed the "Rambo Lambo", it bridged the gap between the company's tractor and supercar divisions in a military truck that makes the HUMMER look like a Tonka. It was powered by the V12 out of the Countach, and only 300 were said to have been built. With those limited numbers, they don't change hands all that often, but one shining example has just come rumbling onto eBay Motors.

Serial Number ZA9LU45A2JLA12069, in red over tan, is advertised as just having undergone a major servicing where many components were repaired, replaced and upgraded, including newly refinished cylinder heads, gaskets, brakes, suspension, new tires all around (road rubber to replace the off-road Pirelli Scorpions), new interior carpets, reconditioned leather interior, front and rear brush guards, side rails, transfer case, relocated fuel tank, new sound system with overhead speakers and new exhaust system.

With a Buy-It-Now price just shy of $100k, at the time of writing the bids were up to $61,300. That may seem like a huge chunk of change for one of the ugliest, worst-handling, worst-riding, gas-guzzling trucks ever to chew up the road, but you go and try to find something with more road presence.

[Source: eBay via GermanCarScene]

click above image to view more pics of the Lamborghini LM400 Concept

The original Lamborghini LM002 combined the qualities of a HUMMER (before there really was HUMMER) with a level of power and performance one would expect from a Italian exotic. It eschewed actual design for a slab-sided, utilitarian look, with a pair of round headlights that toned down its aggression so it looked safe to pet without getting bitten.

Of course, the LM002 missed out on the big SUV boom that saw luxury, high-performance SUVs like the Porsche Cayenne padding its parent company's pockets with big profits. But now that SUVs are truly mainstream and Lamborghini finds itself under the care of VW/Audi, design student Rene Harrigan thought it might be time to reconsider bringing this beast back to life. His idea, called the LM400 Concept, updates the old bruiser with a new Lamborghini-esque design that sits on an Audi Q7 platform. We like Harrigan's vision from the A-pillar back, but the front end lacks a strong visual connection with current Lambos and looks too anonymous to wear a Raging Bull badge. He says the LM400 would be powered by various V8, V10 and V12 engines plucked from the corporate parts bin, and be offered in four trim levels: the LM V8, sporty LM-S, luxurious LM400 V10 and the obscene LMR that sports a 600-hp V12.

The idea of a new LM for Lamborghini is fun, but in reality would say something about how far the brand has come from its many trips to the edge. Porsche got away with offering an SUV and not alienating its fanbase too much, so perhaps Lamborghini could do the same.

[Source: CarBodyDesign via CarScoop]

American forces in Iraq have finally killed Saddam Hussein's son's...car. While his megalomaniacal father garnered the lion's share of notoriety, Saddam's cruel depravity was exceeded by his eldest son's, the erstwhile heir apparent to the Iraqi presidency who was known for murdering people he didn't like at parties and torturing Olympic athletes. It only makes sense that a monster of a person should have driven a monster of an automobile: the Lamborghini LM002.

For those unacquainted with the LM002, picture the offspring of a one-night-stand between an exotic Italian supercar and a tank, and you've got an approximate idea. The truck is known to guzzle gas like a fratboy funnels beer, but that posed little concern for a family with all the oil in the world but no one to sell it to.

According to reports, Uday's "Rambo Lambo", already on its last leg and limping to the grave, was recovered by American soldiers who, apparently failing to identify the significance of the vehicle, used it to test explosives. And so, like the fate of its owner, Uday's Lamborghini was no more. The world may be a better place without the Husseins, but we'll mourn the truck.

[Source: Lamborghini Registry via Jalopnik]

As shapely as it may be, the Miura Concept is not the way of the future for Lamborghini. At least not according to Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann who is quoted saying, "Retro design is not what we are here for. So we won't do the Miura, even as a limited edition." Despite rumors of a limited run of Miuras, a nuovo LM002, and a possible Espada redux, future Lambos will focus on being leaders in their segments rather than homages to the past.

That doesn't mean that entire segments will be avoided because of past entries, however. "The concept of a Lamborghini 2+2 or an SUV is possible, but we wouldn't use the name Espada or LM002," Winkelmann added. "I want Lamborghini on the edge. Our brand values are uncompromising, extreme and Italian. And I want our product to match the brand. Lamborghinis must be lower, wider and more sharply styled than our rivals." The most likely all-new Lamborghini looks to be an SUV that would share a platform with Audi's upcoming Q5 crossover. Of course it will be lower, wider and more sharply styled compared to the Audi. But in the meantime, look for LP640 roadsters and possibly rwd Gallardo and Murci variants showing up in spy shots in the coming months.

Bullish tip, Jay!

[Source: Car Magazine via Jalopnik]

Alright, so we’ve probably pegged our Tom Cruise quota for the month. That said, who can pass up on a star-laden train of 10 Lamborghinis?

The Italian supercar is set to make a prominent appearance in Mission Impossible 3, what is likely to be one of this summer’s highest-profile (and highest grossing) films. And to kick off the film’s world premiere at the Adriano Cinema in Rome, Cruise and company rolled up a brace of the angular beauties.

Not exactly a wallflower, Cruise was seen leaping onto one of the Lamborghini’s roofs in order to greet the assembled masses.

[Source: CarPages UK]