By Christopher Hubbard | |
| 03 October 2008 01:56:15 | |
Paris: Lamborghini reveals new Estoque four-door saloon
Well, Lamborghini’s certainly done it – upstage Ferrari’s new California, that is. But not necessarily in the way a casual observer might have expected. Meet the Estoque – a conceptual vision of a future four-door Lamborghini saloon, unveiled for the first time at the 2008 Paris Motor Show.
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Lamborghini Estoque: click images to enlarge |
We should emphasize that the Estoque really is only a concept at this stage. Your immediate reaction might well be ‘thank heavens’ – if not for the fact that Lamborghini is considering building a four-door at all, then possible for the styling. It is a challenging looking creation, to say the least.
GALLERY: New Lamborghini Estoque in pictures
GALLERY: New Lamborghini Estoque in pictures
No one should really be surprised that the Italian supercar maker is contemplating such a saloon building move – given Porsche and Aston Martin are about to do exactly that same thing. And viewed from a rear three-quarter angle, the Estoque could even have the stylistic drop on both of them. What a behind.
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Lamborghini Estoque |
But that nose. What on earth is going on there? The Reventon meets angular Quattroporte look just isn’t on. Still, if you’re at the wheel you can’t see it, so perhaps the interior and the engineering are the important things. So let’s pull open one of those wide wide doors, and take a look inside.
The Estoque ditches the traditional instrument cluster in favour of a large LCD screen with a selection of presentation options. There’s leather everywhere, and a surprisingly decent amount of space – but there ought to be, as this car is 5.15 metres long, and a centimetre short of two metres wide.
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Lamborghini Estoque |
The front wheels are 22-inches large, the rears 23-inches – the scale of this thing is simply enormous. The engine is front-mid-mounted – so ahead of the driver, but behind the front wheels for better balance; it powers permanent four-wheel drive, while the positioning allows for a generous boot. Practical performance comes with no bigger rush…
Especially since Lamborghini is suggesting such a car could be fitted with the high-revving V10 already found in the Gallardo LP 560-4. And it does mean could, since other powerplant possibilities include a turbocharged V8 derivative of this V10, a V8 hybrid, and possibly even a TDI diesel. Sacrilege? Many may think so.
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Lamborghini Estoque |
But no need to panic just yet. Lamborghini is making it clear that the Estoque is only one possibility for a future third Lamborghini model line – which excitingly suggests we may have some other Lamborghini concepts to look forward to over the next few months. Any bets one of those might be an SUV...?
‘Estoque’ incidentally – and in case you haven’t been reading our Inside Track blog – is the name of the short rapier sword used by matadors during a bull fight. Ouch. The four-door is joined on the Lamborghini stand by a selection of the marque’s existing models, done up in beautiful white and black.
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Paris Motor Show 2008 - your vote
- Which car unveiled at the Paris Motor Show 2008 do you most want to own?
- New BMW 7-Series
12% - Chevrolet Cruze
1% - Ferrari California
23% - New Ford Ka
4% - Lamborghini Estoque
36% - Lexus IS 250 Cabriolet
4% - New Renault Megane
2% - New Toyota Avensis
4% - Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer
3% - New VW Golf
11%
- New BMW 7-Series