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Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Lamborghini Estoque most talked car of 2008 Paris motor show





Not content with building the world's most extraordinary two-seat supercars, Lamborghini now wants to make the planet's most uncompromisingly sporty four-door sedan. The new Estoque, which is to be unveiled at October's Paris auto show, previews a four-door four-seat Gallardo-priced (about $200,000) Lambo supersedan. If it is well received, and the credit crunch hasn't wiped out too many Lamborghini customers, it will go into production, "potentially in four years," says president and CEO Stephan Winkelmann. It would be Lamborghini's third model line, after the Murcielago and Gallardo, and its first four-door apart from the Rambo Lambo LM002 off-roader.


The Estoque, true to Lamborghini form, takes its name from bullfighting -- in this case a 3-ft-long rapier used by matadors. What's bad news for bulls is good news for those who fancy a 180-mph or so (no top speed is quoted) 500-hp-plus V-10 front-mid-engine sedan that goes and sounds like a Lamborghini but also has space for four adults and three sets of golf clubs.


lamborghini customers own many cars," says Winkelmann, a dapper 42-year-old German who was brought up in Rome and who, with his tight-fitting dark suits, sharp ties, and tan shoes, looks more Bolognese than Berliner. "They currently own other sports cars, maybe an SUV, and almost certainly a luxury sedan or two. We would like that luxury sedan to be made by Lamborghini rather than by a rival." Equally, there are many customers who find the current Lambo models a touch too extreme. The Estoque is a Lambo that can be used every day, that motoring contradiction: a sensible car (more or less) from Sant'Agata.
The Paris concept car is a production-feasible machine and a proper runner, so there's no doubting the company's intent. If the car hits the showroom, volumes would likely be 2000 to 3000 a year, according to Winkelmann. That's almost exactly double what the Fighting Bull brand sells now -- last year's total was 2406 cars -- and a huge boost on the average 250 cars a year that Lamborghini sold from inception (in 1962) until the Audi takeover 10 years ago.


The Estoque is a long, low, wide sedan: longer and wider than a Cadillac STS, and 1.7 inches taller than a Porsche 911. Power, at least in the Paris concept car, comes from a Gallardo LP560-4 5.2L V-10 engine, though in production it would be tuned to give slightly less power and more torque in keeping with its more sensible-shoes image. (Current Gallardo: 552 hp, 398 lb-ft)
The engine is front-midship-mounted -- so behind the front-axle line. The gearbox would be a DSG-style twin-clutch paddle-activated semi auto; if the owner wants to drive it in full automatic mode, then fine. As with all current Lamborghinis, it comes with four-wheel drive. Unlike the current two-seat sportsters, though, the Estoque gets an electronically controlled center diff that activates the front drive only when necessary -- such as during a loss of traction. Most of the time, you're in rear drive only. This helps all-around fuel economy, says engineering boss Maurizio Reggiani (this may be the first time a Lambo engineering boss has ever discussed fuel economy). On the other hand Reggiani will not discuss top speed or acceleration. It's too early. "Top speed could be anywhere from 250 to 320 km/h [155-200mph]." Lamborghini also happily discusses the possibility that the Estoque could use V-8 hybrid power or maybe even a turbodiesel.

Nissan 2008 NUVU





NISSAN named its latest concept car the Nuvu because it provides a "new view" of cars the automaker believes we'll be driving by the next decade, though clearly this particular example isn't intended for production. A fresh take on the fully-electric vehicle, the Nuvu is (relatively) wide and tall for its size, coming in at 61-in. wide and 66-in. tall. Still, just a tiny 118-in. length and a 77.0-in. wheelbase make the Nuvu ideal for navigating congested cities while still affording a decent amount of cabin space. Featuring a bulbous roofline that gives the car the appearance of a sports coupe that's been squashed together from both front and rear, the Nuvu includes a unique 2+1 seating arrangement with two primary seats and a third "occasional chair" that folds down when a buddy needs a ride. Keeping with its role as practical urban transport, Nissan has also outfitted the Nuvu with an internal luggage compartment large enough to handle most trips to the supermarket.
In spite of these useful real-world attributes, however, the Nuvu has more than enough show car style to keep it out of dealerships. Calling the concept "a witty representation of Nissan's green credentials," the automaker has outfitted it with a nature-themed EV powertrain, including a tinted glass roof dotted with a dozen or so small solar panels designed to resemble leaves, which in turn feed a battery pack via a conduit shaped like a tree trunk that descends through the middle of the cabin. The automaker calls this setup an "urban oasis complete with its own tree inside," and the interior also includes a healthy dose of natural, organic, and recycled materials.
While Nissan is planning to introduce a production EV at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show, the automaker is quick to stress that the Nuvu is not that vehicle. Built on a unique platform, however, the concept does include some of the same technology, and sports X-by-wire controls for all its dynamic functions. Nissan's production electric car won't reach Japan and the U.S. until 2010, but for now the Nuvu gives us one possible glimpse at the city cars of tomorrow.