A Very Different Kind of Lamborghini

Lamborghini is known for its mid-engine supercars, but what if the legendary Italian automaker tried something completely different? Lamborghini did just that at the 2008 Paris Motor Show when it unveiled the Estoque four-door sedan concept. The Estoque showed what a luxury sedan from Lamborghini could be like and remains a striking design to this day.

Performance

It may be a four-door sedan, but the Estoque promises the performance Lamborghini is known for. But unlike the automaker’s flamboyant supercars, it has a measure of practicality too.

When it debuted at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, the most likely powertrain for the Estoque was considered to be the 5.2-liter V10 from the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4. That model has since been replaced by the Huracán, which uses an updated version of the 5.2-liter V10. So if Lamborghini decided to pull the Estoque out of mothballs and put it into production, that would probably be the engine it would use.

But there are other possibilities. At the time of its Paris debut, many news reports suggested Lamborghini was considering a turbocharged V8 engine based on the V10, or even diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains. All of these choices were likely aimed at improving fuel economy, something even Lamborghini must pay attention to now because of stricter regulations. Interestingly, some of these options have also been mentioned for the Lamborghini Urus, an SUV concept that is expected to go into production.

Like most production Lamborghini models, the Estoque features all-wheel drive. It helps get what is likely a lot of horsepower to the ground and provides a safety net in poor weather conditions. The Estoque also features a front-mid-engine layout, which places the engine in front of the driver but behind the front axle for better weight distribution.

Features

The Lamborghini Estoque concept is a large four-door, four-seat sedan, intended to compete against other sporty, luxurious sedans like the Porsche Panamera, Aston Martin Rapide, and Maserati Quattroporte. Since it was never intended for production, no price was discussed, but that price would have likely been well into the six-figure range if Lamborghini had decided to give the Estoque the green light.

The fact that the Estoque is a concept car also means there is no comprehensive list of standard and optional features. The concept does have a Nappa leather interior, reconfigurable LCD display, and a range of infotainment features. A production version would likely have equipment levels similar to the current Lamborghini Aventador and Huracán, borrowing features from those models.

Design

The most striking thing about the Lamborghini Estoque concept is the way it looks. The Estoque is much flashier than most sedans, but at the same time it’s unusual to see a Lamborghini with four doors and the engine in the front. In fact, the Estoque was the automaker's first four-door since the LM-002 “Rambo Lambo” SUV of the 1980s. If nothing else, it proves that sedans don’t have to be boring, and that Lamborghini models don’t have to be impractical.

The styling translates cues from circa-2008 production Lamborghini models to the four-door form. The headlights and front bumper seem to be influenced by the Lamborghini Murciélago and Gallardo, while the taillights appear to reference the Reventón, a limited-edition model based on the Murciélago.

The Estoque also includes some styling quirks of its own, like the massive staggered wheels. They measure 22 inches in front and 23 inches in back, filling out the wheel wells nicely and giving the Estoque an aggressive appearance. To ensure that the Estoque was more than just a regular sedan with a Lamborghini front end, designers bulged out the rear fenders and chiseled some streaks into the bodywork.

At 203 inches long with a 119-inch wheelbase, the Lamborghini Estoque is the size of a typical full-size luxury sedan. Sitting in it should be a revelation for anyone who has had to climb in and out of one of the automaker’s supercars. Despite its size, the Estoque only seats four. The middle rear seat is always something of a penalty box, anyway.

Verdict

The Lamborghini Estoque is an enticing vision of a new direction for Lamborghini, but it remains just a concept car.

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Image: Lamborghini