Lamborghini: Paris mystery car comes with 4 doors and front engine?

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Lamborghini: Paris mystery car comes with 4 doors and front engine?

We have told you some days ago that Lamborghini will release a new model at the Paris model show and they showed us a teaser model of what to expect. Lamborghini has now released a second picture of the upcoming car leading to rumors that it will indeed be a 4-door model, but even coming with a front engine! Revolutionary if true...

Take a closer look at the shot. The lack of a door cutline close to the front-wheel opening clearly indicates this car is not built off the Gallardo or Murcielago architecture. In fact, it suggests the dash-to-axle ratio of a front-engine vehicle (check out the photo of the Gallardo LP560-4 at the left for reference). Which can mean only one thing: This car is the spiritual successor to the four-seat Espada, produced between 1968 and 1978. And it will have four doors.

True, the Espada was only a two door. But it makes no sense for Lamborghini owner Audi to go to the trouble of developing a completely new vehicle architecture simply to add another two-door coupe to the Lambo lineup. What does make sense is for Lamborghini to build a fast, rakish four-door sport sedan to rival the forthcoming Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide. It's the obvious play.