Lamborghini Estoque cops the sword

Lamborghini has shelved plans to evolve the stunning Estoque super-sedan concept -- one of the stars of last October's Paris motor show -- into a production reality.

A report by UK's respected Autocar magazine suggests the global recession has put the kybosh -- at least for the foreseeable future -- for the proposed four-door, which would ostensibly have taken the fight to the likes of the imminent Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide.

"The timing and market conditions are just not right for an additional model line," Lamborghini's R&D boss, Maurizio Reggiani, told Autocar.

The Estoque, named after the sword used by the matador in a bullfight, was configured as a front-mid-engined car, with the powerplant housed behind the front axle line.

The rakish concept stood less than 1350mm high, yet its 3m wheelbase was said to provide ample space for four passengers.

Numerous engine options were mooted, including the V10 from the Gallardo LP560-4, a turbocharged V8, a V8 with a hybrid mode, or even a high-performance TDI (turbodiesel).

According to Autocar, the company had so far only committed enough resources to the Estoque to study its feasibility, enabling the project to be put on the backburner without incurring a sizeable financial blow.

Company insiders have been quoted as saying Lamborghini will now focus its attention instead on developing more eco-friendly solutions -- these include a drive to trim the kerb weight of future models, as well as honing high-revving normally aspirated powerplants in lieu of turbocharged engines.

The latter strategy stands in stark contrast to that of sister brand Audi, which appears to be embracing forced induction for its high-performance models -- such as the RS6 and new S5.

Meanwhile, Reggiani told Autocar that Lamborghini's e-gear sequential transmission represents a better solution than the dual-clutch gearboxes that other manufacturers are now progressively rolling out.

The R&D boss said e-gear offered "the best combination of weight saving and mechanical interaction" and argued that DSG transmissions are "too smooth" and lacking in the "sense of occasion and drama" that a Lamborghini owner wants.

Having sampled e-gear on more than one occasion (more here and here), we remain to be convinced, but Reggiani says the next generation of the robotised gearbox will be  "really surprising".