Lamborghini will launch a hybrid car called 'Estoque' in 2010

Lamborghini will unveil a prototype of its hybrid car at the Paris Motor Show (October 4 to October 18). The luxury car maker is launching it to meet the tightening emission rules in Europe.

Last spring Lamborghini was worried it would be tough for them to meet Europe’s new emission rules, but now they seem to have a plan to meet the same rules. Audi-owned Lamborghini will unveil this new hybrid car called “Estoque” at the Paris Motor Show. The company is ecstatic to make this announcement and said it “is not just a new Lamborghini, It’s a whole new world.” The company said it is a concept car but will launch it in 2010. They call “Estoque” an everyday sports car, but it has a $200,000 price tag. Stephen Winkelmann, President of Lamborghini division told AutoWeek: "With our existing cars, there is day-to-day usability, but they are not used every day...Most of them are used for less than 5,000 kilometers a year. This car is something different. It's for every day use." The name Estoque refers to the sword matadors use to kill bulls. Estoque will combine the performance of Lamborghini’s Gallardo luxury car with the convenience and comfort of a sedan. The car will have either a 520-horsepower V10 engine from the Gallardo, or a twin-turbo V8 engine. It will have an all-wheel-drive and have a 50-50 weight distribution in the car with the engine just behind the front axle. Estoque will compete against the Porsche Panamera, Aston Martin Rapide and Audi A7. Winkelmann said they are planning to sell 2,000 to 3,000 hybrids in 2010 and that is more than twice the number of cars the company currently sells.