LAMBORGHINI

Lamborghini Borneo: the first 'elevated' model of the Sant'Agata Bolognese brand that was renegade

The Lamborghini Urus was not the first ‘elevated’ model from the Sant’Agata Bolognese brand. In fact, many enthusiasts will remember the LM002, a massive all-terrain vehicle launched in the 1980s.

We had to wait 24 years to see a new SUV in the brand's catalog, but in 1997 the company was very close to taking that step. This is the story of Borneo (or Galileo), the failed all-terrain prototype of the Italian house(image above).

While SUVs weren't as popular in the 1990s as they are now, Lamborghini was pleased with the LM002's sales and therefore greenlit the project for a possible successor.

Initially, Lamborghini worked together with a British company on the project, but later began working with SZ Design, a company linked to Zagato.

Depending on the market, the SUV would be called Borneo or Galileo, but it never saw the light. In fact, a physical prototype was not even built. Lamborghini officials at the time were disappointed with the first sketches, which they considered very similar to a Range Rover, the only real reference in the segment at that time.

The car would be presented in three body versions, thanks to a joint venture with the Indonesian company Timor. Lamborghini predicted a 'normal' version like the one in the images, another four-door similar to the LM002 and a third with a canvas roof.

Most likely, the Borneo/Galileo had received a V12 engine similar to the Diablo at that time. The unforgettable sports car from Sant’Agata Bolognese delivered 492 hp in its first versions and power had risen to 575 hp in its last years of production.

Now, without going any further, the Lamborghini Urus has established itself as one of the most powerful and fastest SUVs on the planet, thanks to its 650 horsepower.

Autonews