Lamborghini Estoque: Super Sedan

Motoring Channel Staff - 2/October/2008

Paris, France — One of the highlights of the 2008 Paris Motor Show is undoubtedly the new Lamborghini Estoque.

This new 4-door sports car will target upcoming sports saloons like the Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide, and as the photos attest it's an eye-catching design.

Technically this is a concept car, so as yet there are no firm plans within Lamborghini to build the new sports sedan model, but if reaction fromthe Paris Motor Show is positive then it could be a shoe-in.

Italian exotic car maker Lamborghini issued a media release on the new model, which espouses the vehicles design and not much else.

There's pages of hyperbole about "taut muscles" and the "tremendous tension along the flanks", and it's fair to say the new design is pretty swish, but the technical details of the car are still a mystery.

It will be an AWD vehicle if it reaches production, but the engine has not been chosen yet.

Lamborghini says that "A range of drivelines is conceivable for the Estoque" which includes the V10 from the Gallardo LP 560-4. 

"A complementary alternative could be a turbocharged 8-cylinder derived from this V10," reads the media release and the Italian car maker has also hinted that a "particularly economical, but nevertheless dynamic" option could include a high performance diesel V8 or even a hybrid.

If Lamborghini settled on a diesel-powered engine, however unlikely, it would change the face of the exotic car market and compel its rivals to consider similar changes.

With seats for four people, the new Estoque would add a third model into the Lamborghini range, adding to the Murcielago and Gallardo super cars.

As the engine will be mounted in the front of the vehicle (behind the front axle for better weight distribution), the boot is available for cargoes such as golf bags and other things, which will appeal to exotic car buyers who want more practicality with their expensive toys.

Sitting on 22-inch front and 23-inch rear wheels, the Lamborghini Estoque show car has an arresting look described as "incredibly muscular" by the Italian marque.

However the most remarkable aspect of the new Estoque remains the design.

The front of the car is a little less 'Lambo' than the current models, particularly the design and mounting of the headlight lenses, but take the front apron: it's got similarities with the large twin airdams of the Reventon.

Lamborghini says the front end design of the Estoque is an "unambiguous statement of its sports car credentials".

Overall, the vehicle's designers have kept the design well within the parametres that make modern day Lamborghini cars so unmistakable. 

It's an angular design with plenty of interesting little design details, such as the hood vents and centrally mounted exhaust outlet, but rather than waxing lyrical on the new design, just check out the photos.

Related Links:
- Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 (2008)
- Lamborghini Reventón (2008)
- Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera (2007)
- Lamborghini Reventón vs Tornado Jet Fighter (2007)
- Lamborghini Murcielago (Road Test)
- Lamborghini Murcielago LP640
- Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Roadster
- Lamborghini Gallardo
- Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder
- Lamborghini Gallardo Nera
- Lamborghini Gallardo: Hamann
- Lamborghini Miura (concept)