As you can see, the...
As you can see, the new model"s rear is characterised by large light clusters and aggressive cooling vents. A small lip spoiler and centrally mounted twin exhaust pipes add to the striking look, while the pictures also show the sports car has a practical hatchback too.
A new bull is charging...
A new bull is charging in ò€“ and here are the pictures to prove it. This spectacular machine is Lamborghiniò€™s ò€˜familyò€™ supercar, the four-seater Estoque. It opens a new door for the Italian company ò€“ not least because it will be the first Lambo in history with a diesel engine!
Revealed at the Paris Motor Show, the four-door saloon will join the Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide to form a trio of brand new super saloons. The Estoque takes its name from a type of sword used by bullfighters ò€“ although, far from killing the bull, this car will more than double Lamboò€™s sales by entering the brand into a new niche. And in addition to a V10 engine, the company is planning oil-burning and hybrid powerplants, too.
A modern interpretation of the firmò€™s original four-seater, the Espada, the Estoque draws on the Gallardo and Murciélago supercars. Its aluminium composite body is full of sharp angles and menacing geometric shapes. Inside, inspiration comes from the Reventón ò€“ Lamborghiniò€™s special-edition Murciélago ò€“ with a fighter jet-style dashboard. In the back are two seats offering plenty of legroom and a 450-litre boot.
Underneath the skin lies an all-new aluminium and composite chassis, while up front is a 5.2-litre V10 from the Gallardo LP 560-4, which is mounted as far behind the front wheels and as low as possible. A rear differential gives 55:45 weight distribution.
The engine drives all four wheels through a seven-speed double-clutch gearbox, but the motor hasnò€™t simply been transplanted unchanged from the Gallardo. Engineers have lengthened the intake manifold, and while peak power is down at around 500bhp, torque goes up to 560Nm.
Lamborghini hasnò€™t quoted any performance figures, yet a top speed of 200mph and a 0-60mph time of around five seconds is likely. In addition to the 5.2-litre V10, the firm is considering a wide variety of engines based on those within the VW Group, including a V8 petrol, a V8 TDI and a petrol-electric hybrid. ò€œThis car gives us the chance to explore new avenues,ò€ Maurizio Reggiani, director of research and development, told Auto Express. ò€œA diesel engine would not be right for the Gallardo or Murciélago, but the Estoque is the perfect platform.ò€ The oil-burner is most likely to be a high-performance version of the 4.2-litre TDI used in the Audi A8. It would make the Estoque a unique proposition in its class, offering a combination of performance and economy unlike any previous Lambo. Likely to go on sale in 2012, the Estoque will carry a price tag in excess of Ò£150,000.