Production Estoque? No More

This ones a real bummer. Looks like the latest victim of the global economic crisis is Lamborghini Estoque 4-door concept. Just back in November of last year, we heard the concept was on track for production. No more!

This isn't just speculation either. The news comes directly from Lamborghini's head of research and development, Maurizio Reggiani. The explanation? "The timing and market conditions are just not right for an additional model line".

Lamborghini only put minimal funds into the project to study for feasibility. This gives them the freedom to ditch production plans with out incurring huge costs. Sometimes projects get signed off and become too far along to cancel. Fortunately (for Lamborghini anyway) that wasn't the case with the Estoque.

For instance, BMW already has some M models in the pipeline that have already gotten signed off on. Too late to pull back!

It's really too bad, because the Estoque was a very impressive, dramatic design. I probably wouldn't call it beautiful, but it was certainly cool. Who knows, maybe we'll see this in the future someday when things recover?

The direct competition for the Estoque would have been the Rapide, as the others are set to be offered at a lower price point.

Other news in the article include news that Lamborghini is resisting pressure to introduce a DSG double-clutch transmission. He even says manual boxes might be dropped! Wow, would that be crazy or what?

He says the DSG trannies are "too smooth" and lack the "sense of occasion and drama" that Lamborghini represents. Interesting to say the least, although he calls the next generation of Lamborghini's e-gear "really surprising".

Well, that's the latest scoop from Lamborghini. Looks like there is a bit of a strategic rethinking of the company's future. It'll be interesting to see sales numbers on the other 4-door super-coupes. I was thinking this could be a major battleground for these sports car manufacturers, but maybe not without Lamborghini in the ring. Aston gets the high-end of the market all to itself.