Lamborghini Estoque

By Mark Nichol

01st October 2008

It hasn’t even hit the stands at Paris yet, but already the Lamborghini Estoque has leaked!

These low-resolution images surfaced on the Internet today, giving us the first complete look at the car after Lamborghini released a drip feed of teaser shots.

The four-door saloon will join the Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide to form a trio of brand new super saloons from makers synonymous with high performance coupés.

The Estoque takes its name from a type of sword used by bullfighters – though far from killing the bull, this car will more than double Lambo’s sales by entering the brand into an entirely new niche. The Audi-owned maker expects to shift 3,000 Estoques per year when it goes on sale in 2010.

With its engine at the front powering all four wheels and underpinned by the forthcoming Audi A8’s aluminium chassis, the Estoque will comfortably carry four adults in style.

Engines will come from the upper echelons of the Audi stable too, although it is rumoured that the V10 found in the current RS6 will not feature on account of its thirst and emissions. Instead a twin-turbocharged direct-injection V8 is being mooted, with power approaching 600bhp!

Production is expected to begin in the second half of 2009, though we’ll know more when the car is officially unveiled tomorrow in Paris – so keep coming back to Auto Express online for the latest!

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