Motor Authority - blog Tag: Estoque

Earlier today reports emerged that Lamborghini had shelved plans to build a new four-door coupe based on its stunning Estoque concept car from last year’s Paris Motor Show. The company’s R&D boss Maurizio Reggiani revealed last November that the car could be released as early as 2011 but stressed that that the business case was still being made and that there was a chance the car may never be launched. Now Lamborghini has 'clarified' the situation by releasing a terse statement.

Saying essentially that the Estoque wasn't cancelled because it had never been approved for production, the statement still leaves much up in the air... Earlier today reports emerged that Lamborghini had shelved plans to build a new four-door coupe based on its stunning Estoque concept car from last year’s Paris Motor Show. The company’s R&D boss Maurizio Reggiani revealed last November that the car could be released as early as 2011 but stressed that that the business case was still being made and that there was a chance the car may never be launched. Now Lamborghini has 'clarified' the situation by releasing a terse statement. Saying essentially that the Estoque wasn't cancelled because it had never been approved for production, the statement still leaves much up in the air as to the four-door coupe's future. "Lamborghini believes that if a third model line should ever be added to its product line up, a four door luxury performance saloon could be a logical product strategy. No decision has been made to produce the Estoque," the company said in the statement. Whether that means the car could still potentially be produced is unclear, though taken in light of Reggiani's statements, it's unlikely at least for the time being. Speaking once again with Autocar, Reggiani revealed the grim news, explaining that “timing and market conditions are just not right for an additional model line.” Furthermore, Lamborghini now plans to scale back ambitious plans to introduced turbocharged powerplants and dual-clutch gearboxes and instead focus on improving its current technologies and model lines. At the Estoque’s unveiling, Lamborghini execs said the car could one day be fitted with a turbocharged V8 or even an advanced hybrid or diesel powerplant. Instead, the company will focus on reducing weight of its current models and continue to work on hits high-rev naturally aspirated engines. As for a dual-clutch gearbox, Reggiani explained that the current e-gear transmission offers "the best combination of weight saving and mechanical interaction". The Italian exec went on to describe the dual-clutch transmission as "too smooth" and lacking in the "sense of occasion and drama" that a Lamborghini owner wants. However, he says the next iteration of e-gear will be "really surprising".2008 Lamborghini Estoque Concept Car Read More