Summary

• The Lamborghini Estoque, a glossy luxurious sedan, would have been a formidable rival to the Porsche Panamera, because of its universally cherished design and stylish proportions.
• The Estoque had a stunning inside that paved the best way for the cockpit design of the Lamborghini Aventador, showcasing Lamborghini’s consideration to element and classy craftsmanship.
• Although the Estoque did not attain manufacturing, it might have been a definite sedan that solely Lamborghini may construct, with a strong 5.2-liter V-10 engine and a novel fighter jet-inspired design language.

While it’s possible you’ll know Lamborghini for its supercars, the Italian supercar model has at all times been open to exploring new segments. The LM002 was the first such deviation from the brand’s roots, during which the sunshine army SUV was akin to a Humvee. Unlike the Humvee, the LM002 got here with a supercar engine–the Countach’s V-12, to be exact.

Clearly, it wasn’t your typical off-roader, and it is the sort of SUV that solely a model like Lamborghini may pull off. Today, we’ve the Lamborghini Urus SUV, the model’s best-selling mannequin. However, one other trendy nameplate–which likewise is not a supercar, would’ve had the potential to change into a well-liked mannequin (not less than throughout its time of inception) if solely it reached manufacturing.

In order to provide the most modern and correct data doable, the information used to compile this text was sourced from varied producer web sites and different authoritative sources, together with DriveTribe, Lamborghini, and Drive.au.

Say Hello To What Could’ve Been A Gorgeous Sedan

The mannequin in query right here is the Lamborghini Estoque. Conceived as a one-off idea automotive, the Estoque’s title originated from bullfighting–as anticipated from Lamborghini’s naming scheme. An estoque is a kind of sword utilized by matadors, and the title is definitely befitting the Estoque’s design.

From the paint job–which would ultimately change into a part of the model’s coloration palette and given the title Grigio Estoque, all the best way to the automotive’s bodywork, the Lamborghini Estoque would’ve had the potential to be one of the lovely sedans ever produced.

The Porsche Panamera Would’ve Had Company

The Lamborghini Estoque is a full-size luxurious sedan that might be a formidable rival to the Porsche Panamera. Unlike the Panamera, the Estoque’s appears had been nearly universally cherished. The sultry lengthy hood, quick rear deck, in addition to a large stance that was complemented by an extended wheelbase gave it elegant but imposing proportions.

The fighter jet-inspired design language of Lamborghinis at the moment, (assume Lamborghini Reventón) labored so nicely with the Estoque’s appears. The slim headlights, extensive shoulders, in addition to useful vents and creases would ultimately pave the best way for the design of the Aventador–one of the finest-looking wedge-shaped supercars Lamborghini has ever designed.

It Had A Gorgeous Interior, Too

Like the outside, the inside was additionally very fashionable. In reality, similar to the outside, the inside paved the best way for what would ultimately be the cockpit of the Aventador. The high-set heart console, Audi MMI-based infotainment system, and Lamborghini’s first try at making digital gauges all got here into fruition when the Aventador was produced. So not all of the design flourish has gone to waste as it will definitely did attain a manufacturing supercar.

It Was A Sedan That Only Lamborghini Could Produce

The beauty of the Estoque was the truth that it was so distinct. Like the Aston Martin Rapide, whereby its a sedan that solely the British GT model may make, the Estoque was likewise a sort of sedan that solely a model like Lamborghini may constructed. You would not mistake it for the rest, and that’s witnessed in each aspect of the car.

A Sedan With The Gallardo’s Heart

When it was revealed on the 2008 Paris Motor Show, the Estoque had a 5.2-liter V-10 that the Gallardo and the Audi R8 had been utilizing. In the Estoque’s case, it produces 556 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque. Lamborghini stated on the time that the Estoque would have a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, and similar to most Lambos of its time, it got here with all-wheel drive (AWD).

The Estoque is not the one V-10-powered sports activities sedan if it had been to be launched at the moment. Audi has shoehorned the Lamborghini 5.2-liter V-10 beneath the hoods of the C6-generation S6 and RS6, in addition to the D3-generation S8.

BMW additionally used a Formula One-derived 5.0-liter V-10 within the M5, which sounded epic, too. So sure, the Estoque would’ve had firm, however it might’ve nonetheless been a sedan that solely Lamborghini may make. Audi detuned the V-10 in its fashions as a result of, in fact, the parents at Volkswagen Group would not let an Audi be extra highly effective than the Lamborghini, proper?

It Would’ve Been Less Of A Sacrilege Than The Urus

When the Lamborghini Urus got here out, let’s simply say that it was seen as a sacrilegious transfer by loads of automotive fans. Not essentially patrons, as a result of, nicely, the Urus is already outselling all of Lamborghini’s supercars, however by those that discovered that an SUV would dilute the Lamborghini model. Whether or not these folks even have the cash to purchase a Urus is a narrative for an additional day, however the Estoque would’ve had a extra forgiving debut in comparison with the Urus.

Porsche, unsurprisingly, had an analogous impact with the Cayenne’s debut in 2003. After all, a model that was recognized for light-weight sports activities vehicles out of the blue making a car that was in opposition to the whole lot that the model stood for was certainly a controversial transfer, however it did make Porsche extraordinarily worthwhile. Without the Cayenne, we presumably would not have the 911s and the 718s that we love. Thanks to the Cayenne, the blow to Porsche’s fame when the Panamera got here out wasn’t as extreme.

Why Lamborghini Didn’t Produce The Estoque

This now leads us to the query as to why Lamborghini did not produce the Estoque. Was it because of model dilution on the time, or did Lamborghini merely construct one as a result of they may? More importantly, if it was ever produced, would you purchase one within the first place?

Well, in line with DriveTribe’s video on YouTube, the Estoque on the time did not obtain approval from the Volkswagen Group board–preferring the Porsche Panamera because the group’s four-door supercar. In addition, whereas the Estoque’s growth was shelved in 2009, the challenge was dropped at gentle once more in 2010 when the model’s gross sales began slipping.

It’s additionally price noting that the Estoque regarded production-ready. The automotive’s design did not look too radical for an idea automotive, and that is as a result of it was already in a position to adjust to crash and pedestrian security laws on the time. The platform can be production-ready as a result of it used the aluminum area body of the D3-generation A8, which likewise helped it change into compliant with current security laws.

Even the inside regarded production-ready, and it was in a position to match 4 full-size adults correctly with room for cargo on the again. It was a extra well-thought-out car (on paper, not less than) than the Aston Martin Rapide, whose rear seats had been cramped and extra like an afterthought in area utilization.

Ultimately, It Wasn’t Fully Supported By Volkswagen Group

According to the identical DriveTribe video, the Estoque’s closing nail within the coffin was that Stefan Winkelmann, the CEO of Lamborghini on the time, stated that the Estoque solely acquired “feasibility funding” and nothing extra.

While the story of the Estoque’s dying sounds very generic on the floor degree, one other doable motive on the time can be the present financial state of affairs in 2008. Remember, the Estoque in idea type was unveiled through the 2008 Financial Crisis, and on the time, releasing an unique four-door sedan can be a high-risk transfer as gross sales of autos worldwide declined.

How The Estoque Could Make Sense In 2024

The automotive panorama in 2024 is far completely different in comparison with 2008, which brings us again to the query. Should Lamborghini produce the Estoque? With the Lamborghini model extraordinarily worthwhile than ever in 2023, a high Lamborghini government instructed Australia’s Drive that the Huracan’s replacement would not must be a co-development with the Audi R8–or another mid-engined supercar from the group for that matter. This signifies that Lamborghini is in a wonderful monetary place to broaden its mannequin vary to lastly embrace a sports activities sedan.

A Possible Case Of Sibling Rivalry

For the Estoque, Lamborghini may make the most of {one of the} platforms from the Volkswagen Group simply because it did with the Urus. Perhaps the Panamera’s platform can be a great candidate since it is also utilized by the Bentley Continental GT.

The platform is inherently a dynamic one, with an extended hood that permits the engine to sit down behind the entrance axle, thus permitting for glorious front-end dealing with. Since Lamborghini went down the V-8 route anyway with the Urus, we would not thoughts if the Estoque had a V-8, too. Assuming this comes true, would not it make for an ideal case of sibling rivalry with the Porsche Panamera?

The Estoque Could’ve Been An Excellent EV Frontrunner

In the shift in direction of electrical autos (EVs), would not a sultry sports activities sedan be loads much less sacrilegious versus having yet one more electrical crossover within the type of the Lanzador concept? The Lanzador EV was revealed with opinions break up between loving the automotive or hating the best way it appears because it’s yet one more crossover (albeit an electrical one) from Lamborghini.

We know that the Urus facelift will likely be a plug-in hybrid, so would not or not it’s higher when it comes to branding if the electrical frontrunner for Lamborghini can be a glossy, four-door, four-seat sedan with sultry beauty and dealing with that’s extra in step with what Lamborghini is thought for? The problem now could be that the platform for an electrical Estoque does not exist but, since it’s a full-sized sedan, and the electrical sports activities sedan platform that Volkswagen Group presently has is the J1 platform for the Taycan and e-tron GT.