MT Technical Director Frank Markus has the lowdown on one of the hottest cars at the 2008 Paris Motor Show
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00:00 [music]
00:07 For my money, the most interesting car at the show, probably the most exciting car, is the Lamborghini Estoque.
00:12 The much anticipated four-door Lamborghini.
00:14 Totally designed in-house. Apparently the biggest problem was trying to balance the aggression with the elegance.
00:19 You don't want too much elegance, not too aggressive.
00:22 Did a really great job, I think. Really looks like a Lamborghini from all angles.
00:26 This car rides on 22-inch tires front, 23 rear, has a Lamborghini Gallardo version V10 under the hood.
00:32 Adjusted to fit under this low hood in the front.
00:35 It is a front mid-engine, so it's completely behind the front axle for good weight distribution.
00:40 And the whole car is technically feasible. They have done all of the engineering work for that.
00:44 So what you see here is conceivable to be built as it shows.
00:48 And I, for one, would love to see that.
00:50 The very high belt line gives you a very hunkered-down-in-a-sports-car feel in the front and the back.
00:55 The high rear end gives you 16 cubic feet of luggage in the back.
00:58 So high style, grand touring with room for all your stuff.
01:03 Obviously the Lamborghini Estac is going to be compared with the Aston Martin Rapide and the Porsche Panamera.
01:08 The other high-end sports cars making four-doors.
01:10 This one is about the length of the Rapide, a little bit wider, a little bit taller.
01:15 About seven inches longer than the Panamera.
01:17 The front end has very much the feel of the Reventon version.
01:21 Very aggressive intakes to point out that the engine is under the front.
01:25 We've got functional air scoops in the hood.
01:27 The Y-pattern LED lights are a very big Lamborghini cue these days, too.
01:33 The extractors in the fenders also will be functional.
01:36 Carbon ceramic brakes, front and rear, promise excellent braking to go along with the 500-plus horsepower V10 power.
01:44 You might ask, "Why do a four-door Lamborghini?"
01:46 And it is a good question.
01:48 The brand has been resurgent of late, and they have promised to have a new vehicle every year.
01:52 And this one is one that they reckon can expand their brand by about doubling sales.
01:57 About another 2,000 of these a year.
01:59 So obviously if that works out, it will be a great idea for Lamborghini.
02:02 [Lamborghini.com]