Estoque

Lamborghini Estoque – the Italian super sports sedan

It is a Lamborghini like no other before it: a four-door sports car that sticks

resolutely to its creed. The Lamborghini Estoque concept has everything that

defines a Lamborghini: extreme, uncompromising and unmistakably Italian, it

brings a whole new versatility to the brand’s DNA – with its four seats and

ample luggage space, this “everyday sports car” is a perfect fit for an equally

versatile lifestyle.

Estoque is a study, a concept created specifically for the 2008 Salon

d’Automobiles in Paris. From the very first glance there can be no doubt that

this is a Lamborghini – a car with compelling presence, both unique and

unmistakable. The long wheelbase, the low profile, the broad track, the mighty,

accentuated wheels, the clean surfaces and razor-sharp definition – every

single line breathes the spirit of the Lamborghini brand.

A new and unique elegance

The Estoque is an entirely new interpretation of the Sant’ #### design ethic: it

is a concept that provides a clear indication of the future. This applies to the

new, elegant self-confidence of the lines themselves, but even more to the

concept of the vehicle. The Estoque is the first sedan in the history of

Automobili Lamborghini, although “sedan” is more a reference to the number

of doors than any other characteristics. Even sports sedan is an inadequate

classification: the Estoque establishes a new category of super sports sedans.

With a powerful front mid-engine, permanent all-wheel drive and a

sophisticated, precision-tuned chassis, the Estoque boasts a unique technology

package.

A sign of success

In Paris, the Lamborghini Estoque demonstrates the innovation, the creativity

and the design flair of the Lamborghini brand, currently represented by the

enormous success enjoyed by Lamborghini’s Gallardo and Murciélago super

sports cars.

As a concept, the Lamborghini Estoque represents one of several possibilities

for a third model series within the Lamborghini product line-up. At this point in

time, no decisions have been taken in respect of either a third model series of

any kind or of the Estoque concept in particular.

Of course, as a true Lamborghini, it goes without saying that the Estoque also

bears a suitably powerful name with a rich heritage from the Spanish Corrida –

bull fighting. The Estoque is a rapier (sword), approximately 90 centimetres

(35.43 inches) long, used in a bull fight by the Matador.

The Concept

Estoque embodies the concept of a Lamborghini that is both a dedicated

sports car and a relaxed Gran Turismo. As a sedan with four doors and four

individual sports seats, it is a multi-faceted vehicle for multi-faceted lifestyles.

Relaxed Gran Turismo

The Lamborghini Estoque is the perfect travelling companion, be it en route to

business meetings, the theatre, the golf course or even a weekend away with

the kids. At the end of the day, it is the only car that allows you to share the

singular driving pleasure of a Lamborghini with more than one person –

possibly even with the whole family. And there is still enough room left over for

weekend luggage or several golf bags.

Despite its extremely low profile – at a mere 1.35 meters (4.43 feet) high – the

Lamborghini Estoque is surprisingly spacious. The secret lies in its very long

wheelbase which, in spite of the rearwards positioning of the front mid-engine,

enables a relaxed, sporty seating position. Entering and exiting is also

pleasingly straightforward through the large, wide-opening doors.

Challenging: a thoroughbred sports car

At the same, the Lamborghini Estoque is a thoroughbred sports car with

exceptionally refined power delivery, razor-sharp precision handling and a

meaty engine tone. Challenging driving pleasure on a winding mountain road,

followed by a relaxed, enjoyable journey along miles and miles of motorway–

the Lamborghini Estoque is commanding across the entire driving spectrum, at

the highest level. The Estoque’s versatility makes it the perfect addition to the

range of Lamborghini super sports cars.

Design

Such a Lamborghini must be immediately recognizable in its design as a unique

and unmistakable work of art. For the Estoque, this is clearly a case of “mission

accomplished.”

The proportions of the Lamborghini Estoque are simply fascinating: no other

automobile combines so convincingly the elegance of length with the sporting

attributes of a low profile and impressive breadth. Or to put it into figures – the

concept painted in an all-new color, is 5.15 meters (16.89 feet) long and 1.99

meters (6.53 feet) wide, with a height of only 1.35 metres (4.43 feet). The

wheelbase is a stately 3.01 meters (9.88 feet) – an equally important element of

elegant vehicle architecture.

And it is unequivocally Italian – the flat bonnet, the long wheelbase, the narrow

window openings, the flat rear that ends decisively with a negative return – it is

all pure “Italianità” on wheels; everything bears the design language of the

large classic Italian four-door cars, albeit with a unique, modern interpretation.

Pure Lamborghini.

Clearly a sports car

The front end of the Estoque is a clear and unambiguous statement of its

sports car credentials. Its place amongst the family of Lamborghini super

sports cars is also distinct and unmistakable – with its swooping V-shape, its

two large air intakes pulled forward and the small front spoiler in between. This

front end design gives the Estoque a firm, low stance, while providing excellent

aerodynamic efficiency. The large air intakes facilitate the cooling air that is

important for such a high-performance vehicle and the spoiler was specifically

designed to improve aerodynamic balance at high speeds.

Such distinctive sports car architecture is only possible by positioning the front

mid-engine well towards the rear. Despite the very low bonnet, it goes without

saying that the Estoque fulfils all safety regulations and pedestrian protection

standards.

Taut muscles

The bonnet of the Estoque makes the origins of the sheer power of this vehicle

immediately apparent. The location of the engine is clearly evident through the

distinct division created by two large air outlets and the additional emphasis of

a central power area. Further air outlets are positioned both left and right in

the wings, behind each of the front wheel arches.

Together, with the division of the bonnet, these elements add emphasis to the

area above the wheels, framing the front end of the Estoque like a taut muscle.

The permanent all-wheel drive that is typical for all Lamborghinis means that

the 22 inch wheels, with their new five double-spoke design, also do their part

in delivering power to the road. Here too, the Centro Stile has stuck firmly to

the Lamborghini principle that form always follows function; after all, the

ample cooling air flowing into the high-performance driveline also has to move

quickly out of the vehicle.

Tremendous tension along the flanks

Its proportions guarantee the Lamborghini Estoque an impressive appearance.

The skilled sectioning along the flanks of the vehicle gives the body shell an

incredibly muscular form. Beneath the flat surfaces of the bonnet, the

incredibly powerful shoulder line, a further side line rising slightly towards the

rear and, finally, the equally distinct sill line all add emphasis to the flow of

power from the engine to the magnificent 23 inch rear wheels. The masculine

profile is completed by the negative return of the rear end. This adds further

tension to the form of the Estoque – the whole car looks coiled and ready to

pounce at the drop of a hat. These sharp lines frame a fascinating interplay of

surfaces across convex and concave curvatures. The Estoque clearly displays

the design language of the Centro Stile Lamborghini with a distinctive

elegance.

Powerful elegance at the rear

The flow of form is brought to its conclusion by the broad, even expanse of the

rear end. The horizontal split created by the flat LED light clusters and the

large, mesh-covered lower air outlets bring additional emphasis to this breadth.

A narrow, slightly slanted “frame” panel surrounds the whole rear aspect and

further highlights its powerful elegance.

Precise details, such as the hexagonal fuel caps on both sides of the vehicle,

characterize the depth of the design language. The front headlamps, featuring

bi-Xenon and LED technology, carry forward a theme evident in both the

Reventón and the Gallardo LP 560-4 – the Y-shape of the daytime running

lights. The tiny green/white/red flag adorning the front wings discreetly

highlights that an automotive statement as uncompromising as this one can

come from only one country on Earth – from Italy.

The interior

Despite its extremely low profile, the Lamborghini Estoque offers a surprisingly

generous feeling of spaciousness. The length of the interior facilitates a

relaxed seating position for all four individual seats and plays a significant role

in the supreme comfort of this super sports sedan over long distances. The

interior reflects elements of the exterior design language, also evident in the

cabin of the Estoque – in the distinctive lines of the door panels or in the

swooping V-shape applied to the cockpit, reflecting the form used on the front

end and on the bonnet.

Luxurious interior

The dominant material of the interior is highest-quality Nappa leather. The four

individual seats boast sporting contours, supreme long-distance comfort and

extensive electrical positioning options.

Cockpit with large-screen display

The cockpit presents the driver with a large-area LCD screen displaying vehicle

and route information. A range of presentation formats are available for

selection depending on personal preference – a distinctive classical layout with

circular instrument dials, or an innovative digital display. A top-class audio

installation and a sophisticated rear seat entertainment system round off the

equipment.

Like the interior, the luggage compartment of the Estoque is also surprisingly

spacious. Despite the low-profile rear end, it has plenty room for several golf

bags or pieces of luggage.

Production feasibility

As a pure concept car, the Estoque is a design exercise and a further indication

of the innovative power of the Lamborghini brand. Yet, it is based on a feasible

technical concept that offers a whole range of fascinating alternatives for the

body shell and driveline.

Just like the brand’s super sports cars, the Estoque uses a mid-engine layout.

However, the high-performance driveline used here is not located in front of

the rear axle, as in the Gallardo and Murciélago or in the Reventón, but behind

the front axle. This front mid-engine concept, with the driveline set way back,

facilitates balanced weight distribution and a centre of gravity close to the

vehicle’s vertical axis. Both ensure the unparalleled agility and handling

precision of a mid-engine vehicle.

Reserves in every situation

Like all contemporary Lamborghini models, the Estoque is also equipped with

permanent all-wheel drive. It distributes the engine power to all four wheels,

thus making for superior traction in all driving situations, as well as providing

extra reserves for extremely sporty driving and for challenging weather

conditions.

A range of drivelines is conceivable for the Estoque. This is headed up by the

highly-acclaimed Lamborghini ten-cylinder from the Gallardo LP 560-4 – with

more torque and higher revving than virtually any other engine. A

complementary alternative could be a turbocharged eight-cylinder derived

from this V10. A particularly economical, but nevertheless dynamic, variation

would be a V8 with a hybrid module or an extremely high-performance TDI.

The Centro Stile Lamborghini

With the Estoque, the Centro Stile Lamborghini has created further proof of its

creativity and attention to detail. The design centre that opened in 2004 is a

studio of creatives, designers and model makers that combines the culture and

the spirit of the brand with the power of innovation and of creating a new

aesthetic. The Centro Stile Lamborghini is part of the best tradition of Italian

vehicle design, and is leading the way forward with the latest in working

techniques.

The Centro Stile is located in a 2,900 sq. meter (31,215 sq. feet) facility, where it

occupies two interconnected floors. The generously proportioned design studio

is equipped with two full-size surface tables and their associated tooling and

measuring equipment, while further areas house the latest in computer

workstations for the creative experts and a workshop for the model makers.

The Centro Stile is also connected directly to the neighbouring Ufficio Tecnico –

the direct link to Lamborghini’s development department ensures the rapid

realization of ideas. Speed is a key aspect for Lamborghini, for both its cars and

its working processes; the Reventón was created in the record time of less than

one year.

In-house creativity and implementation

From the first sketches made either on paper or using the three-dimensional

computer program, through 1:10 or 1:4 scale models to full-size models, the

complete design process is organized within small, fast-moving teams.

Since it was founded, the Lamborghini brand has been bringing innovative

design trends to the rarefied atmosphere of the world’s most desirable

automobiles, and producing vehicles with absolutely unmistakable character.

Models such as the Miura and the Countach were way ahead of their time, but

quickly attained the status of timeless classics. From their first appearance,

every new Lamborghini is destined to become a legend and sought-after

collectors’ item.

With the current Murciélago and Gallardo, Lamborghini has once again

perfected an innovative design language. The exterior proportions provide an

indication of the power and dynamic character of the driveline. Crisply-defined

edges, precision lines and clean surfaces result in a design that is reduced to its

very essence.

Every element is designed precisely in accordance with its function. Examples

of this on the Murciélago LP 640 include the movable cooling air intakes and

the asymmetric sills; on the left side of the vehicle, the air intake is significantly

larger to accommodate the flow of fresh air to the oil cooler.

Clear lines, perfect details

The unmistakable form of a Lamborghini is something that always speaks for

itself: ornamentation or decoration of any kind has absolutely no place here.

This firmly places the current models that bear the sign of the bull within the

best traditions of their brand and of 60s and 70s Italian vehicle design. The

sports cars of that time were acclaimed for their perfect proportions and for

their objective, functional elegance that required no embellishment of any kind.

The purist execution of the lines is complemented perfectly by the passion for

detail possessed by the designers in Sant’ #### Bolognese. The rear view of

the Murciélago LP 640 is distinctive not only for its impressive power, but also

for the fine interplay of the elements in the sophisticated rear light cluster.

The sensuality of precision and performance

A Lamborghini is a high performance athlete. Its high degree of sensuality is

based on precision, performance and spontaneous action. This type of

elegance is the elegance of pure, unadulterated power. This Lamborghini DNA

is carried forward into future products at the Centro Stile, which is destined to

continue to set clear design trends – the Estoque is the perfect example.

The design centre on the site of the historical birthplace of all Lamborghinis

guarantees the super sports cars with the bull brand will remain exclusive,

sensual and challenging – and always unmistakably Italian.

EDIT*

 

Tommy beat you to this one.