EXCLUSIVE PICTURE
Every red-blooded car fan knows that wagons are the business, serving drivers and fashionists far better than SUVs can. And after years of obscurity, the appeal has reemerged for blue-blooded car fans as well. Ferrari’s Geneva debut of the shooting-brake FF ups the ante for the prancing horse’s primary antagonist and raises the question, “Why not make the four-door Lamborghini Estoque a five door?” In the what-if rendering above, our artist takes that idea and runs with it, melding the Italianate RX-8ness of the Estoque with a dash of its four-place, hyperfastback forebear, the Espada. Even a knee-breaking Vegas bookie wouldn’t give you odds on this thing entering production in Sant’Agata Bolognese, but that’s nothing the aftermarket can’t fix—if the Estoque sedan actually comes to fruition.
Lambo’s not in the hottest financial shape at the moment; the house that Ferruccio built (and which Audi rebuilt) didn’t even turn a profit last year, despite selling 1302 cars. Such financial circumstances for a manufacturer of luxury goods aren’t entirely unexpected during a downturn, and unlike their days as one of Lido’s old-country curios (Chrysler TC by Maserati, anybody?), the Italians have the Germans committing some serious juice to the bull brand. The company launched the Aventador LP 700-4 at Geneva, is working on a replacement for the “bread-and-butter” Gallardo, has hinted at the possibility of a production version of the Sesto Elemento concept from last year’s Paris show and finally, and perpetuated rumors that the Estoque may eventually happen. Lambo can’t let Ferrari have all the fun.
Illustration by Christian Schulte
Every red-blooded car fan knows that wagons are the business, serving drivers and fashionists far better than SUVs can. And after years of obscurity, the appeal has reemerged for blue-blooded car fans as well. Ferrari’s Geneva debut of the shooting-brake FF ups the ante for the prancing horse’s primary antagonist and raises the question, “Why not make the four-door Lamborghini Estoque a five door?” In the what-if rendering above, our artist takes that idea and runs with it, melding the Italianate RX-8ness of the Estoque with a dash of its four-place, hyperfastback forebear, the Espada. Even a knee-breaking Vegas bookie wouldn’t give you odds on this thing entering production in Sant’Agata Bolognese, but that’s nothing the aftermarket can’t fix—if the Estoque sedan actually comes to fruition.
Lambo’s not in the hottest financial shape at the moment; the house that Ferruccio built (and which Audi rebuilt) didn’t even turn a profit last year, despite selling 1302 cars. Such financial circumstances for a manufacturer of luxury goods aren’t entirely unexpected during a downturn, and unlike their days as one of Lido’s old-country curios (Chrysler TC by Maserati, anybody?), the Italians have the Germans committing some serious juice to the bull brand. The company launched the Aventador LP 700-4 at Geneva, is working on a replacement for the “bread-and-butter” Gallardo, has hinted at the possibility of a production version of the Sesto Elemento concept from last year’s Paris show and finally, and perpetuated rumors that the Estoque may eventually happen. Lambo can’t let Ferrari have all the fun.
Illustration by Christian Schulte
RENDER REALIZED BY: CAR AND DRIVER: caranddriver.com
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