We here at Autoblog have millions of kilograms, nay liters and liters, of respect for our friends at Automobili Lamborghini, and the upcoming Aventador will no doubt alter our lives when we drive it. We also root hard for the little shops in and around Turin that changed the world of car design in the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s, and nobly carry on today as best they can.

We were recently going through various photos and started juxtaposing the front end of the Lamborghini Estoque sedan concept seen at the 2008 Paris Motor Show with that of the one-off SVS Codatronca Turismo Sportivo (or TS). The latter was developed near Turin between 2005 and 2008 by the small shop named SpadaConcept SpadaVettureSport, led by legendary designer Ercole Spada and his son Paolo. The latter carrozzeria just unveiled their roofless 710-horsepower barchetta version at the Top Marques Monaco show, called the Codatronca Monza. All Codatronca models so far are based on a supercharged Corvette Z06 chassis (it makes sense that we also see a little bit of 1967-1982 C3 in there, too).

We’re not insinuating anything here, and these sorts of coincidences do happen fairly easily. But the likeness is uncanny. Who’s doin’ who? Or is nobody doin’ anyone? Talk amongst yourselves, and see the two cars in full high-res glory in our galleries below.

[Lead images: Lamborghini/Matt Davis/Carrstudio/AOL]

Lamborghini Estoque vs. SVS Codatronca TS: You be the judge originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Apr 2011 16:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hold on to your lugnuts, kids, because here’s a rumor that’s so far out it practically qualifies as science fiction. Taken straight from Gasgoo.com, which has provided plenty of worthy news in the past, is this nugget: Lamborghini “will import its super luxury four-door sedan, Lamborghini Estoque to China for local production in 2012 with a price tag of around 4 million yuan (9,000).”

To be fair, it appears as though Gasgoo is just reporting on what’s being reported in other Chinese media. However, in case you haven’t been keeping up with the Estoque’s flirtations with production reality, first Lamborghini planned to make it after it was introduced two years ago, then the economic implosion supposedly killed it in early 2009, but Lamborghini quickly said that wasn’t true, then this month company CEO Stephan Winkelmann hinted about how a third model would help the brand.

To us, none of that means the 2008 Paris Motor Show traffic-stopper is going to be built at all. Somehow, though, the Chinese media have heard that not only is it going to be built, but it will be built in China as soon as 2012. On top of that, even though it hasn’t been developed, it’s already been priced, and at that price you could buy almost three Aston Martin Rapide sedans. Or, more accurately, three Rapides and an infinite number of leprechauns, gorgons, drop bears and the latest creature of fable, a Chinese-built Estoque.

Live photos copyright (C)2010 Jonathon Ramsey / AOL

[Source: Gasgoo]

Crazy Rumor of the Day: Lamborghini Estoque to be built in China originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Just when you thought that hallowed Lamborghini was safe from the threat of a new mega saloon, news like this crops up. While speaking with interviewers, company CEO Stephan Winkelmann said that adding a third model to the Lamborghini lineup would be a good way to shore up diminished sales. The company hasn’t quite been able to maintain its pre-recession numbers with sales down 18 percent compared to last year.

What exactly does Winkelmann have in mind? A four door designed to compete with the likes of the Aston Martin Rapide, Porsche Panamera and Maserati Quattroporte. If that means something along the lines of the mighty Estoque Concept, our hearts wouldn’t exactly be broken, even if that means diluting the Lamborghini gene pool somewhat.

For now though, the new model is simply Winkelmann’s best guess at how to get buyers back behind the wheel of a Raging Bull. Before the company goes dumping cash into development, it will need to see sales of both the Gallardo and Murcielago improve in a big way.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Bloomberg: Lamborghini Estoque production hopes not dead, still under consideration originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Aug 2010 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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