During a recent interview, Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann avoided discussion about not having a platform for the car but did mention that it could be sought from another VW Group carmaker.
Now, in a recent interview with Autocar, Lamborghini’s R&D boss Maurizio Reggiani has revealed that the car will enter development early next year for an expected release date towards the end of 2011. However, the Italian exec stressed that the business case is still being made and that there was a chance the car may never be launched.
Some of the production details being talked about include the use of the Gallardo LP560-4’s 5.2L V10 engine, however the potent mill would be re-tuned to deliver torque at lower rpms. AWD would remain but a new seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox will likely be used as opposed to Lamborghini’s robotised manual ‘E-Gear’ transmission.
Its platform is a mix of Gallardo components and others sourced from the rest of the Volkswagen Group parts bin, though Reggiani stressed that it would be unique to Lamborghini and dispelled rumors that it would share a common platform with the next-gen Audi A8. He also confirmed that the car has been designed from the ground up to utilize turbocharged V8 petrol and diesel engines, and there is also the possibility that a hybrid model could also be offered.
“The pressure is already on us to do something significant to lower CO2,” he said. “We will never offer our super-sports cars with diesel engines, and we will never resort to turbocharging for those cars either.”
“But the opportunity is there to develop a turbocharged, maybe even a diesel engine for Estoque, and since the car could be well-priced and could sell in quite large numbers for us, it’s a big chance for us,” he added.
The Estoque would compete against premium four-doors currently being developed by the likes of Aston Martin and Porsche, and will be priced accordingly. Its price tag is expected to fall into the $200,000 range alongside the Gallardo LP560-4 coupe. The ultimate decision on production will come down to profitability, however.
Reader Comments
Sun Oct 12 2008 8:29 PM
NoNameDenton says
Long as the platform os unique to Lambo, not borrowed from Audi I will be happy
Sun Oct 12 2008 8:40 PM
www.mywheelsonwalls.com says
You might well find it will be on Porsche's platform as all of Audi's platforms are front wheel drive platforms fitted with an all-wheel drive power train. Now if Porsche plays Mr. Difficult (to be expected) it could perhaps be on Bentley's new Arnage platform which will be an honest rear-wheel drive platform. This ofcourse would make sense and increase the ROI as both cars will be relatively low in volume.
Just a guess though!!!
Sun Oct 12 2008 11:21 PM
blackghost says
4 years? **** me! they said just 2 weeks ago, this will come on the market next year. but this is piece of shit anyway.
Mon Oct 13 2008 11:38 AM
NoNameDenton says
Wheels, all Lambos now are awd, have no rwd so it could be an Audi platform
Mon Oct 13 2008 12:06 PM
www.mywheelsonwalls.com says
Denton- Yes they are AWD but they have a rear wheel drive bias plus its a mid engine layout. So its not going to work for the front engined sedan.
Speaking of which the sedan is clearly a rear driver with a front mid-engined layout so none of Audi's platforms would work. You could hower maybe use the rear midengined cars platform in reverse giving you a front mid-engined platform. This however would be way outside of any box typical car engineers think in, except for Lotus.
Why Lotus? Not to long ago their engineers came up with a system where by the chassis is made up of completely interchangeble aluminimum sections allowing to make any platform you want i.e. sedan, coup, cross over, mid or front engined car. Genius if you ask me!!!!
Fri Nov 7 2008 1:41 PM
NoNameDenton says
Does not matter where the bias is, awd is awd. Anyway I say since Ferrari is going to DI and turbos Lambo should as well.
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