After years of casting around for a third model, Lamborghini has settled on what Manfred Fitzgerald, head of brand and design, rather presumptively calls “the world’s first supersedan.” The dramatic Estoque, revealed in concept form at the Paris auto show, isn’t called a four-door coupe by its makers, but it certainly would travel in the extrawide tire tracks of cars like the Porsche Panamera and the Aston Martin Rapide, both of which it would follow to market, in 2012.
Quest for the third leg
“The [exotic car] business is quite volatile,” allows Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann. “So three legs are invariably better to stand on than two. That’s why we have been thinking for several years about a third model to complement the Murciélago and the Gallardo.”
Lamborghini bosses evaluated options ranging from a Miura successor (remember the 2006 design exercise?) to an LM002 reincarnation to a front-engine GT.
“The SUV fell through because that wave has passed. We also dismissed the front-engine sports car because the segment is, on a global basis, deceptively small,” says Winkelmann.
“In the end, we decided on the four-door supersportwagen. Despite its unconventional architecture, it perfectly matches our key brand values, and research tells us that it will work in all markets – especially in Asia and Russia, which will soon account for one-third of our total sales volume. Perhaps most important, it addresses a very wide customer base, from sports car aficionados with families to style-conscious businessmen with full-time chauffeurs. To satisfy these clients, who are used to the space, comfort, and convenience of a full-size luxury sedan, we created a generously roomy car free of head- and legroom compromises.”
“Entry and egress will be effortless,” promises Mauricio Reggiani, who is in charge of the technical department. “The big doors open wide, the seats are cushy yet supportive, there is plenty of legroom, and once you’ve made yourself comfortable, the low roof is never an issue. Although visibility is excellent, the first thing you’ll notice from inside is the high beltline, which provides a charming cocoon effect.”
Mechanically, the front-engine Estoque is unlike either of Lamborghini’s current offerings, both of which are mid-engine two-seaters. The Estoque is loosely based on the ASF (Audi aluminum spaceframe) platform shared with the next Audi A8 and Bentley Continental families. For production, an ASF architecture is bound to be the most practical choice in terms of investment, weight savings, and commonality.
A front-mounted engine is a given, and odds favor a twin-turbo V-8. To be on the safe side, the engine bay is just big enough to house Lamborghini’s V-10, but that thirsty and expensive engine is more appropriate for a hard-core sports car. The show car’s V-8 is derived from the V-10, but for production, Lamborghini is more likely to modify the next A8′s new 4.0-liter, direct-injection twin-turbo V-8. Rated at about 420 hp and 400 lb-ft in A8 guise, it would probably get a power and torque boost to 500 hp and 480 lb-ft (although that would still put it behind the 620-hp, Lambo-sourced V-10 in Audi’s next S8).
A transaxle would be nice but is difficult to accomplish with four-wheel drive. “Even with the transmission bolted to the engine, we think we can achieve a well-balanced, 55/45 percent weight distribution,” states Reggiani. “Instead of the fixed torque split preferred by Audi, I would vote for an active, electronically controlled on-demand system that is even more responsive and progressive.”
As for brakes, why look any further than the industry’s largest-diameter rotors, which Bentley currently installs on the Continental GT? The Estoque almost certainly will get the same setup, with optional carbon-ceramic discs, of course.
The A8/Bentley architecture also offers a control-arm air suspension, but Lamborghini prefers a more pure (and lighter) approach. “For the Estoque, a more straightforward coil-spring suspension tuned by means of Audi Magnetic Ride or a similar system might be a better solution,” says Reggiani.
Source URL: http://zinarala.blogspot.com/search/label/LamborghiniVisit New Car Modification for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection
The limited-edition Lamborghini by Versace is finally going into production for fall. The car, which will be a convertible in contrast to the coupe originally developed, will be a bright pastel white with a black-and-white leather interior. The price of the special-order Murciélago LP 640 Roadster Versace has yet to be named, but expect to pay a healthy premium above the model’s already hefty base price of $358,000. The V12 roadster, designed by Donatella Versace and just unveiled in Milan during Men’s Fashion Week, will feature a see-through engine bay cover and the fashion house’s signature Greek key motif on the doors, front fascia and nappa leather seats. Versace has also designed an accompanying line of black calfskin accessories including luggage, wallet, gloves, driving shoes, hat and even a pair of leather jeans all bearing an engraved metal Lamborghini Versace tag.
Source URL: http://zinarala.blogspot.com/search/label/Lamborghini
Imsa, the world-acclaimed, German High-Tech Engineering specialist, exclusively presents, after successfully introducing the stunning imsa GTV Supercar based on all versions of the Lamborghini Gallardo, its new technology and design- enhancement program for Lamborghini’s current top-of-the-range supercar, the Murcielago LP640.
After years of casting around for a third model, Lamborghini has settled on what Manfred Fitzgerald, head of brand and design, rather presumptively calls “the world’s first supersedan.” The dramatic Estoque, revealed in concept form at the Paris auto show, isn’t called a four-door coupe by its makers, but it certainly would travel in the extrawide tire tracks of cars like the Porsche Panamera and the Aston Martin Rapide, both of which it would follow to market, in 2012.
“The SUV fell through because that wave has passed. We also dismissed the front-engine sports car because the segment is, on a global basis, deceptively small,” says Winkelmann.
