It’s been 29 years since we last saw a four-door of sorts from Lamborghini. This was the Lamborghini LM001, which was to be the prototype of an up and coming off road vehicle, its closest competition as it were was to the be the Range Rover.
In 1981, the LM001 was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show alongside the new Jalpa. The LM001 project was known as ‘Cheetah’ and very much needed all of the help it could get from investors. The prototype had a 5.9L AMC-V8, but if production was to go ahead the V12 from the Countach would be transferred.
The LM001 concept was discontinued due to having handling issues when accelerating, this then saw the LM002 take shape.
Lamborghini LM001 ‘Cheetah’ (LamboCars.com)
So, Lamborghini has decided to take the rash decision of bringing another four door wagon to the drawing board and put it into the production.
The Estoque was launched in 2008 and the Paris Motor Show, but Lamborghini pulled out of putting it into production due to the financial climate. According to the Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann, now is the time “a third model would fit Lamborghini very well, and a four-door car would be a very feasible approach”.
Lamborghini are hoping that the Estoque will provide a leap in sales, but it will have fierce competition from the Aston Martin Rapide and Porsche Panamera.
The concepts specification:
- 5.2-litre V10 engine
- 55:45 weight distribution front to rear
- 560Nm and 500bhp
- seven-speed double clutch sequential gearbox
The car could go on sale in 2012 for around ?150,000.
We wish you luck Lamborghini, don’t pull this one again though.
