That's a sedan?

Yup. Introducing the Lamborghini Estoque. Hold your horses, it’s still a concept

Porsche has been releasing teaser sketches of its Panamera for almost two years now, and then you get those spy shots of heavily masked cars being tested. While the German supercar manufacturer has been playing coy and paranoid with its four-door super sports sedan, its Italian rival has gone ahead and unveiled its own version of the same.

On October 1 — the evening before the official opening of the Paris Motor Show 2008 — at a special venue in Paris, a low-slung concept car emerged in front of a select assembly of journalists from around the world. When the wraps were taken off by four pretty women, it was a thousand flashbulb moment. After all, it was a Lamborghini. And it was unique. Called the Estoque — which means a kind of sword or rapier used by matadors in a bull fight — the gorgeous supercar concept had four doors and four proper seats.

The Estoque has been conceived as an everyday supercar to accommodate four full-grown adults and, despite its low, aerodynamic profile, some luggage as well. But its practicality doesn’t take away from the fact that it is a proper Lamborghini. Looking as visceral as all cars wearing the badge of the raging bull, with thrusts and parries of the designer's scalpel showing through its various edgy forms, the Estoque would have been radical looking if it were not for the brutal-looking Reventon. 

Despite being a “sedan”, the Estoque promises to be a driver's car as well. Power will come from the V10 borrowed from the Gallardo LP560-4 and perhaps even a V8 derived from the same engine, but turbocharged, so there’s no compromise in performance. But the surprises with the Estoque don’t end. Lamborghini says that it is open to get motive power from a turbodiesel engine (owners Audi always have a Le Mans-winning V10 TDI waiting in the wings) or even a V8/hybrid powertrain! Times, they’re a changing. 

But the toughest part in conceiving a car like this is its packaging. Assured handling is guaranteed in mid-engined Lambos like the Gallardo and Murcielago, but how to promise that in a big supercar like this without compromising on the design, performance and practicality? 

That was the challenge. So for starters, even in the Estoque, power goes to all four wheels. And the engine is about as mid-ships as it can get — but it’s behind the front axle rather than ahead of the rear axle like in other contemporary Lambos. Which translates to better weight distribution and a well-placed centre of gravity.

Though they don’t confirm it, with the Estoque, Lamborghini is essentially creating a third vehicle platform. Since they have expressed their openness regarding diesel and hybrid engines and even four-door sedans, will there be a Lamborghini SUV a la the LM-002? You never know.