Lamborghini will unveil a shock new front-engined, four-seater at the Paris motorshow, Autocar has learned. It will be priced to compete with the likes of the Ferrari Scaglietti and forthcoming Aston Martin Rapide.
Lamborghini hasn't produced a four-seater car since the Espada of 1978, but the company has decided to join the growing trend for mega-luxury four-seaters among its rivals.
Autocar sources close to the project say that the car is more than just a concept, and that it has been designed to comply with with crash regulations and pedestrian protection law.>> See the latest teaser image of the Lamborghini Estoque
>> Read our full road test of the Lamborghini LP560-4
As previously reported, the new car is front-engined and - if produced - VW group insiders suggest it will be based around a version of the aluminium spaceframe that underpins the Audi A8.
Expect a version of Lamborghinis V10 engine under the bonnet (it’s front-engined) rather than the more powerful V12 from the Murcielago. That engine is considered to be too unrefined for an ultra-expensive saloon.
Four 'teaser' shots of the car have been released so far, but expect a top speed on the far side of 200mph with 0-60mph in less than four seconds.
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Re: Lamborghini 'makes a Panamera'
Lambos are supposed to have an elevated status. If they started selling cars for £35-40k less people would buy their £200k cars. Why chase volume sales when u can make very large profit margins on much smaller volumes?
Also, lets not forget that this is just a concept car at the moment and new owners Porsche may change the car considerably before its release - if not cancel it altogether.
Lastly, i cant help but thinking this type of car is being launched at completely the wrong time with the current economic situation. Much as the BMW 8-Series was in the early nineties.
Re: Lamborghini 'makes a Panamera'
We will wait and see whether the car is or is not a commercial success but it is the lp560 that fills me with enthusiasm for the project. If they can transfer the feeling of quality into the new car that was missing from earlier Gallardos it will prove to be sensible everyday family transport for the super wealthy. While the Ferrari and the Aston always feel a touch fragile, or in Astons case very fragile.
Re: Lamborghini 'makes a Panamera'
I have no doubt that this will be a fabulous car but i do have reservations.
For me, the status of the brand would be hugely enhanced if they designed and launched a more "Affordable" car.
The market for this saloon will be tiny, and whilst you wouldnt want to see Lambos as a common car, something that retailed at Porsche cayman money would be something many of us could realistically aspire to.
The volumes would in my beleif enhance the higher end product and allow consumers to get on board and maybe work up to a true supercar.
I am interested to know the reasoning behind the new car and why they have chosen this segment.
SD