Lamborghini MLC SUV to debut in Beijing, Estoque still not dead

According to a report in Auto Express, Lamborghini has finally admitted that it will be revealing an early take on its new model, an SUV, at the Beijing Auto Show in April. Said to have "a high-rise version of the Estoque" front end, two doors and punched-out rear wheel arches, it will sit on the same platform as the Volkswagen Group's other premium SUVs from Audi, Porsche, VW and possibly Bentley.

A bit of oddity is that Auto Express pegs the name as the MLC. If such is the case, perhaps its a return to the only other SUV naming convention Lamborghini's had, the alphanumeric LM002, but "MLC" strikes us as a bland, sexless waste of a chance to append something brutishly and memorably taurean.

Speculation all along has been that the MLC would get a retuned version of the V10 from the Gallardo. If the output of the MLC's mill is 584-horsepower as per the report, that would be 41 horses beyond the Gallardo. A hybrid model to follow would get that over the 600-hp mark. Production is rumored to happen in 2015, with an estimated $200,000 price tag putting it well above anything that isn't from Bentley or Russia.

And for those who still dream of an Estoque, the MLC might not be the only Lamborghini borrowing a platform. The arrow-nosed four-door Estoque is said to remain under consideration, and just as the Cayenne led to the Panamera, a production Estoque could be prepared based on the next-generation Panamera's underpinnings.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/23/l...till-not-dead/

 

So this is going to share the platform with the Cayenne and Toureg?? I mean a car like that with that price tag is just insane and the only way it will sell is with customers with a lot of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

It better have some ground breaking numbers and be the fastest SUV ever. It's got to make a statement, like a statement car...

 

interesting future with Lambo, Aston, Bentley, and Maserati all considering SUVs. high rollers only need apply lol

 

I mean i haven't done any market research, but is there really a demand for 200K+ SUV's ?? I mean the current selection "performance" suvs such as the JEEP SRT8, X5M, X6M, and Cayenne Turbo are already kind of pushing it in the ridiculousness factor, even though they are amazing pieces of machinery.

 

I would still rather a Porsche Cayanne. I saw one today in blue with a set of wheels on it and I was following it and taking pics like I was driving along side of a Ferrari. That is the best looking SUV imho

 

Not much I'd imagine. Don't forget the Mercedes ML63 AMG, Mercedes G 55 AMG, and Land Rover RR Sport Supercharged

I agree, its one of the better looking ones. With tons of engine options to satisfy buyers. I was never a fan of the first generation, but I think this second gen is a grand slam both in performance and aesthetics. Not to mention they shed 400lbs compared its predecessor

 

Turbo S is definitely my favorite so far with the X5M in 2nd.... I'm hoping that the new ML63 will be nice when ever I get to see it.... but yes the Cayenne had everything that just flowed perfectly together. The only thing I disliked was the price tag of course but not to worry, in a good year or two they will be affordable

 

I am surprised that they are trying to bring a 200k SUV to market before they bring the Estoque.

 

I was just thinking......who the hell is going to take a $200,000 Italian exotic SUV off road. Its kind of a waste. Only a small percentage of any SUVs will ever even hit the dirt on the side of the road. This is why so many of them are fitted with very low profile sporty summer tires

 

Amen to that. Their all city dwellers and suburban shuttles.

If I had a ridiculous amount of money, I'd take one of these to Tahoe for giggles to break the mold. Heck manufacturers must know these don't see anything but a paved road or gravel drive. If you've got the money why not put its AWD and utility to use hah.