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Lamborghini on the fence between building the Estoque or the LM00X SUV
 
A few days ago, a report came out that Lamborghini is teaming up with Porsche to build its very own SUV that will be based on the latter’s latest GT architecture. While this news poses a shift in philosophy for the Raging Bull and could potentially undermine its tradition, the latest word - at least according to Car and Driver - is that Lamborghini is on the fence on which model will join the Gallardo and the Aventador in the lineup. Apart from this long-rumored SUV - it’s been codenamed as the ’LM00X’ - the other choice is the production of the Estoque. The Italian automaker is considering both vehicles, but has made it known that only one is going to be green-lighted for production. While no decisions have been made yet, the company is looking at October as the time to decide. As it stands the SUV has a slight edge over the Estoque because the car will be on a class of its own as far as high-end SUVs are concerned whereas the Estoque will have its hands full going up against competitors like the Porsche Panamera Turbo S, the Aston Martin Rapide, and the recently launched Ferrari FF. The final decision is still a few months away, but it’s never too early to put your two cents in. For us, we prefer seeing the Estoque finally come alive after years of drooling over it. Besides, just like Ferrari, the words ’Lamborghini’ and ’SUV’ don’t belong in the same sentence. Let us know which model you prefer in the comments section below. 2014 Lamborghini Estoque
Lamborghini doesn’t usually build a concept car without it getting put to some kind of use in the future. It’s never happened, and we’ll place bets on the fact that it won’t ever happen. Try as they may to deny the fact that the Estoque would not see the production line, this concept vehicle stood a fantastic chance at becoming the third model in Lamborghini’s line-up. To prove our theory, we bring you this. In a recent statement Chairman and CEO Stephan Winkelmann confirmed that the company is indeed preparing a third model, and that this new model is not an SUV as people have speculated, but a four-door luxury sedan. "We have opportunities outside the supercar business, and we showed that with Estoque. It had a more enthusiastic response than we had expected. It was the right time to see if the brand could go outside of supercars. Even now, people are still emailing me about us making the Estoque." And if the strong demand for a production version of the Estoque doesn’t make them actually build it, the recent success the company has been having on the Chinese market may just give Lamborghini the final push they need, especially since luxury four-door sedans are in high demand over there. UPDATE 05/24/2011: Here’s a bit of good news for Lamborghini owners that feel a little silly dropping their kids off at school in their new Aventador LP700-4; the company has just revealed plans for a third model in their lineup that will fulfill the need for a daily driver. Lamborghini chief executive Stephan Winkelmann said, "We are going to have a third model. It has to be an everyday car. We want to have a car which is able to be used on a daily basis." Could this be the production Estoque we have been waiting for? We think so. Hit the jump to read more about the production version Lamborghini Estoque. Full story Lamborghini Estoque sedan confirmed
It’s funny how Lamborghini went out of their way to state that the Estoque concept was never going to make the production line, and now they are recoiling and backtracking to announce something that we knew anyway. Guess what everyone; Lamborghini will indeed bring a production version of the Estoque concept sedan unveiled at the 2008 Paris Auto Show. Yes, we know, hold back the shocked expressions and gasps of surprise. In a recent interview, CEO Stephan Winkelmann told reporters in the US that "a third model would fit Lamborghini very well, and a four-door car would be a very feasible approach." Lamborghini believes that a luxury sedan will help reverse Lamborghini’s falling sales. Winkelmann said a third model would need to provide "a real leap" in sales. Well, thanks for the update, Captain Obvious. Under the hood, the production will likely have something along the lines of the V10 from the Gallardo LP 560-4 that produces 560hp. This engine would make it an ideal competitor for the Aston Martin Rapide which only produces 470hp. A production version will be priced in the $200k area and will target models like the Aston Martin Rapide and the Porsche Panamera. Lamborghini Estoque may see production line
 The Lamborghini Estoque concept graced the Paris Motor Show floor back in 2008 and was an instant success. We would be bold enough to say that everyone thought the car would shoot straight into production immediately after it debuted, but we were all wrong. After an onslaught of rumors stating the Estoque’s production would be placed on hold, Lamborghini cleared the air by saying its production was never on the table to begin with. But as with many things in the automotive business, the idea that the Lamborghini Estoque was not going to production changed the minute Lamborghini needed a little oomph in their sales charts. The plans may not be completely set in stone, but with the Aston Martin Rapide and the Porsche Panamera blaring off of computer screens everywhere, the Estoque may just be what Lamborghini needs to fight back. The 2009 Lamborghini Estoque concept is the first "sedan" in Lamborghini history, but that doesn’t mean it lacks the essence of the company. The sedan reference is strictly for the number of doors the Estoque carries. Under the hood, the production will likely have something along the lines of the V10 from the Gallardo LP 560-4 that produces 560hp. This engine would make it an ideal competitor for the Aston Martin Rapide which only produces 470hp. The only thing that might put a hamper on the production Estoque’s sales would be the hefty $200,000 price tag. Lamborghini Estoque spotted in Germany
It’s been a while since we last had any news regarding the Lamborghini Estoque concept car but now, it looks like the car long thought to have been scrapped has finally resurfaced. These spy shots of the Estoque were captured recently in Cologne, Germany, putting to rest all those rumors that Lamborghini’s new super car has been shelved. Details as to why the car was out on the road are still a mystery, although some folks have assumed that the Estoque was being taken out for a test run. This comes as great news for those who have fallen head-over-heels for the car since it was launched at the Paris Motor Show last October. Although the car received overwhelmingly positive reviews, the sudden collapse of the global economy sparked rumors that the car would be permanently shelved despite Lamborghini’s later attempt at quelling the rumors by saying that “no decision has been made to produce the Estoque”. But now that it has been seen running around the streets of Cologne, it looks like the Estoque is still far from the chopping block and that Lamborghini is still working doubly hard to make the Estoque more than just a pipe dream. Lamborghini: no production Estoque to cancel
It’s not that rumors of its demise have been greatly exaggerated; instead Lamborghini claims rumors of the Estoque’s creation have been greatly exaggerated. Yesterday we reported that Lamborghini has put the Estoque’s production on indefinite hold. Now the story has caught some steam, plus other recent stories of Lambo’s misfortune in the slowing economy, has caused the company to react. Lamborghini posted a brief comment on its press site that included: "As stated when the car was shown, 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." Basically this does not make the previous stories invalid. Lamborghini still has not confirmed that plans for the Estoque will be going ahead. The company just wanted to remind all of us that there was no official car to cancel. Read the full statement from Lamborghini after the jump. Full story
Lamborghini Estoque delayed, maybe canceled
The global economic crisis already forced Lamborghini to shut its doors for a few weeks, and now its put the Estoque sedan on indefinite hold. According to Maurizio Reggiani, Lambo’s head of research and development, "The timing and market conditions are just not right for an additional model line." It seems that there had not been a lot of cash committed to Lamborghini’s first sedan project yet, and so Lamborghini was able to put it on a shelf without much financial penalty. There has been no mention yet when or if the project will be restarted. The Estoque was supposed to borrow heavily from its corporate cousin Audi. So if plans for a car that could share parts over multiple car lines has been put on indefinite hold, how much hope can we keep for the mostly bespoke Murcielago replacement?
Lamborghini Estoque goes rummaging in Audi’s parts
We know Audi will have a big hand in the Lamborghini Estoque. Lamborghini is Audi’s responsibility in the Volkswagen Group, and Audi has a lot more experience at performance sedans than Lambo (which has none.) The only real question is how much German will this Italian car speak? According to Car and Driver, that answer may be quite a lot. It’s rumored that the Estoque will be built on Audi’s modular-longitudinal platform, which is the base of a number of new models, including the current Audi A4 and A5, the next-generation A6 and A8, the forthcoming A7, and the 2013 Volkswagen Phaeton. The sedan will feature all-wheel drive as standard (likely a version close to Audi’s Quattro system.) The largest powerplant for the Estoque should be the 5.2-liter V-10 engine from the Gallardo LP560-4, which was developed by Audi. The Lambo sedan is currently aimed at direct competition from its now corporate parent’s own sedan, the Porsche Panamera. So just like the plans for the Porsche, the Estoque may as have a diesel or hybrid version ready to go by the time it appears in 2011 or 2012.
Lamborghini Estoque - details on the production version
AutoCar revealed today the first details on the production version Estoque. Right now the car is in final stages of approval, but current plans have the bull’s sedan entering development at Sant’Agata early next year with sales to begin at the end of 2011 for under £150,000. The Gallardo, which sell for a similar price in the U.K., sells for about $200,000 here. The production Estoque will run the same all-wheel drive system as the Gallardo as well as utilize its 5.2-liter direct injection V10 engine that will give the sedan 500bhp and 450lb ft of torque. Top speed is rumored to be limited to 186 mph. The engine will be mated to a new seven-speed twin clutch gearbox – a first for Lamborghini, which currently offers manual and auto-manual ‘E-Gear’ transmissions. Lamborghini is also considering several other engines for the sedan. Possible powertrains include a hybrid unit and V8 twin-turbos in both gas and diesel forms. Although these engine will likely be sourced from Audi, Lamborghini insists the Estoque will be more than just an A8 on steroids.
Diesel engine for the future Estoque?
Since Lamborghini is already selling out with a sedan, why not sell out completely and make a diesel, right? Although it is likely that the engine of choice in the 2012 Estoque will be the 5.2-liter V10 from Gallardo LP 560-4, there will likely be other options including an oil burner. “This car gives us the chance to explore new avenues,” Maurizio Reggiani, director of research and development at Lamborghini, told Auto Express. “A diesel engine would not be right for the Gallardo or Murciélago, but the Estoque is the perfect platform.” Other optional engines being considered are a host of V8s from Lamborghini’s parent Volkswagen as well as developing a hybrid unit. This more mainstream approach from a company known for being wildly over-the-top may signify how much Lambo wants to compete wit the upcoming Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide. If Lamborghini does go sludging, it will most likely to be a high-performance version of the 4.2-liter TDI used in the Audi A8. Which isn’t so bad considering that Audi may now something about performance diesels; its won the last three 24 Hours of Le Mans races using oil burners.
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