Potentially built on a shared platform with Porsche, here's why there's a chance of the Estoque name to resurface in the future as Lambo's first EV
by Amreetam Basu on January 15, 2025, 14:30Lamborghini, a brand synonymous with supercars once envisioned a luxury sedan with a naturally aspirated V10, straight out of the Gallardo LP560-4. Yes, I’m talking about the Estoque concept. This sick-looking performance sedan concept debuted back in 2008, but couldn’t make it to production, mainly because of the declining interest in the sedan body style.
These days, Lamborghini is taking electrification seriously. Apart from the Revuelto and the Temerario, even the Urus is now a hybrid, called the SE (the Urus S and the Performante will be on sale alongside the Urus SE). Also, the carmaker has debuted its first all-electric concept vehicle, the Lanzador. Yes, Lambo names are getting crazier by the day.
While the Lanzador concept is a coupe-styled crossover with two doors, there’s a thin chance of it making it to production. Firstly, because Lamborghini thinks that now isn’t the time for an all-electric supercar, and secondly, it doesn’t look as practical as it should.
However, this is where something like the Estoque EV comes in. Don’t get me wrong, there isn’t much buzz around the nameplate’s revival with an all-electric heart, but what if Lamborghini borrows the Taycan’s all-electric platform and makes good use of it? Yes, there is a high chance that the upcoming Lamborghini EV could be a sedan and Lamborghini could revive the Estoque moniker again.
It’s easier to source EV technology from sister brands
Platform sharing isn’t forbidden within the Volkswagen Group, and the Urus is a prime example of how Lamborghini utilized VW’s MLB Evo platform, which also underpins the Audi Q8, the Porsche Cayenne, the Volkswagen Touareg, and the Bentley Bentayga. By doing that, Lamborghini saved millions in R&D and manufacturing. Additionally, utilizing a widely shared platform opens doors to better reliability and parts availability.
Similarly, the Taycan’s platform is shared with the Audi e-tron GT. Both Porsche and Audi jointly developed the platform, just as they collaborated to create the newer PPE (Premium Platform Electric) which the new Macan Electric and the Audi Q6 e-tron underpins. Given that Audi owns Lamborghini, sourcing either the J1 or the newer PPE platform isn’t an arduous task.
Now, you could keep that thought in mind as to why I think Lamborghini wouldn’t fit a combustion engine or a hybrid setup. With a combustion engine at the front, Lamborghini has to work on fitting a worthy powerplant and also accommodate the e-motor along with the battery pack that’s suitable for the Estoque. Also, developing a separate powertrain for the Estoque, where no one can tell if it can sell as well as the Urus, could prove to be too expensive. Not to mention Lamborghini’s 18 percent global market share.
Which Porsche Taycan would be a match for the Lamborghini Estoque EV
Unlike the Porsche Taycan which comes in many trim levels and specs, the Estoque EV should only be available in one variant. I think the best powertrain match would be the dual-motor unit from the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT. Together, both the front and rear motors of the Taycan Turbo GT push out an astonishing 1092 horsepower and 988 pound-feet of torque. The electric motors are the same as the 938-horsepower Taycan Turbo S. But in the Turbo GT, Porsche swapped out the 600-amp rear inverter for a 900-amp unit, resulting in a massive boost in performance.
So, Lamborghini could borrow this beast of a powertrain setup from Porsche, including the 93 kWh battery pack that supports 350 kW of DC fast charging. Also, another factor that makes the Taycan/e-tron GT combo more enticing is because of the rear motor’s two-speed transmission. Most EVs accelerate quicker but don’t hold the top-end speed you’d want, and that two-speed gearbox helps with achieving higher speeds. For a Lambo, the Estoque EV should do at least 155 mph, or else, even the Urus could surpass it in a high-speed run. So, I think the J1 platform with the specs of the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT should be more than enough for the Estoque EV.
Interestingly, Lamborghini seems to be taking the EV game seriously, because someone spotted a Hyundai Ioniq 5 N electric crossover come out of the Lambo facility at Sant’Agata Bolognese. It could be someone else’s car from the facility, but Lamborghini could benchmark the Ioniq 5 N for some of its unique features. The Ioniq 5 N is killing it with its electronic gear-shifting sounds and effects! It actually simulates the whooshing of air vents, changing the sound with each ’gear’ - super cool! This has got to be inspiring Lamborghini. Imagine an Estoque EV with even wilder sound effects, maybe switching between a V10 roar and a V12 scream, bringing the whole family and all their luggage. Now that’s a dream car!
Amreetam Basu
While Amreetam hustles during the week, free time means one thing: hitting the open road. He dreams of cruising the Alps in a German masterpiece – a Porsche 992 911 GT3 RS or an F87 BMW M2 would be ideal! This 26-year-old automotive journalist loves every part of the job. Read full bio