The 4-door, 4-seat Lamborghini Estoque was unveiled at the 78th Paris Mondial de l'Automobile last September (above) with Lamborghini executives upbeat at the time about putting it into production by 2012 at the latest.

Lamborghini has moved quickly to deny media reports that it has shelved plans to put the 4-door Estoque concept sports-sedan first seen last autumn at the 78th Paris Mondial de l'Automobile into production by 2012. Following the reports that have circulated over the weekend the Bologna Sant'Agata-based specialist performance and luxury carmaker has issued a brief statement.

"In reference to recent press coverage commenting on cancellation of its Estoque project, Lamborghini has not taken any decision to produce its Estoque concept car, the four door performance saloon concept shown at Paris motor show in 2008," the press release issued by Lamborghini yesterday read. However it continued in an even more vague manner, adding that: "As stated when the car was shown, Lamborghini believes that if a third model line should ever be added to its product line up, a four door luxury performance saloon could be a logical product strategy. No decision has been made to produce the Estoque," the statement concluded.

On Saturday Autocar magazine attributed to Lamborghini's head of Research & Development Maurizio Reggiani that the Estoque has been put on ice for the time being. "The timing and market conditions are just not right for an additional model line," it also quoted him as saying.

The Estoque was unveiled at the 78th Paris Mondial de l'Automobile last September with Lamborghini executives upbeat at the time about putting the car into production by 2012 at the latest. A front/mid engined four seat, four-door high performance saloon layout with plenty of luggage space it was unashamedly targeted at cars such as the Maserati Quattroporte and the forthcoming Aston Martin Rapide and Porsche Panamera, and was tagged by Lamborghini as "an everyday sports car". No engine was specified leaving it open to either the V8 or V12 units from the current range although the Audi-owned firm hinted that it could even receive a hybrid or diesel unit. Its distinct styling drew many of its cues from the 'family' looks of the Gallardo and Murciélago. However since last autumn the global car industry has faced a massive slump in demand for its products and this slump has affected all the prestige brands with Lamborghini expecting to see demand for its sports cars down this year. This abrupt change to the face of the industry has seen many carmakers putting their projects on hold as they focus on reigning in costs.