March 17, 1977 – Lamborghini Cheetah SUV debuts

Lamborghini’s first foray into the realm of off-road vehicles came through a contract from Mobility Technology International (MTI), commissioned by the US military to pioneer a new breed of all-terrain vehicle. This venture culminated in the creation of the Lamborghini Cheetah, a vehicle with a legacy both storied and fraught with challenges.

Lamborghini Cheetah origins

The genesis of the Cheetah’s design can be traced back to MTI’s collaboration with the US military, drawing inspiration from FMC’s XR311 prototype, developed in 1970. This partnership, however, sparked legal disputes between FMC and MTI/Lamborghini when the Cheetah made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in 1977. Despite the legal challenges, the Cheetah and XR311 laid the groundwork for what would eventually evolve into the iconic Humvee.

Constructed in San Jose, California, the Cheetah underwent initial assembly before being transported to Lamborghini’s Sant’Agata headquarters for final refinement. Powered by a formidable 5.9-liter Chrysler V8 engine, mounted in the rear, and mated to a 3-speed automatic transmission, the Cheetah boasted robust specifications on paper. The fiberglass body provided ample space for four fully equipped soldiers alongside the driver, catering to the demands of military applications.

The Setbacks

However, the engineering decisions had their drawbacks. The rear-mounted engine configuration compromised the Cheetah’s handling dynamics, contributing to subpar performance on the road and off. Furthermore, the chosen powerplant failed to deliver the necessary potency for the vehicle’s substantial weight, further exacerbating its performance shortcomings.

Regrettably, the sole completed prototype never underwent rigorous testing by the US military, only being showcased to them by its designer, Rodney Pharis. Ultimately, the military contract was awarded to AM General and their Humvee, leaving the Cheetah project in limbo.

The setbacks faced by the Cheetah project, coupled with Lamborghini’s financial woes, reverberated throughout the company, leading to the cancellation of a contract with BMW to develop the M1 sports car.

Lamborghini LM002

However, the spirit of innovation persisted within Lamborghini, ultimately giving rise to the Lamborghini LM002. Drawing inspiration from the Cheetah’s design ethos, the LM002 featured a front-mounted 12-cylinder engine sourced from the Lamborghini Countach, symbolizing Lamborghini’s resilience in the face of adversity.

In retrospect, the Lamborghini Cheetah stands as a testament to the complexities of automotive innovation, blending ambition with adversity in equal measure. While its journey may have been fraught with challenges, its legacy endures as a pioneering example of Lamborghini’s indomitable spirit and unyielding pursuit of excellence.