Photo : D.R. - Lamborghini S.p.A.

Paris Motor Show

After the Estoque, the unexpected four-door concept unveiled in 2008, the Italian manufacturer had a new surprise for the 2010 Paris Motor show.

On entering Hall 4, the angular shapes and aggressive looking cars of Lamborghini almost hit you in the face. Among them, a shadowy figure even more compact and bestial, whose forms seem carved from a mass of carbon. The name of this new concept could not be more appropriate: Sesto Elemento ('sixth element' in Italian), an allusion to the atomic number of carbon in the periodic table. For its chassis and suspension components, the Sesto Elemento uses a brand new Lamborghini material developed in partnership with the manufacturer for Callaway Golf, which already uses carbon fibre for its club heads.

Besides the ubiquitous carbon, the design of the Elemento Sesto is a worthy successor to the Countach of 1974 and all its descendants (Diablo, Gallardo, Murcielago), while still continuing the tradition of the Reventon and Estoque.

If one is to believe Raffaello Porro, Director of Communications and Public Relations of the Italian marque: "This concept is primarily a showcase of Lamborghini's expertise." That appears to rule out production; which is a pity because the exceptional power to weight ratio (570hp V10 driving 999 kg) promised outstanding performance, but no doubt the future will be worthy of the Lamborghini 'Sesto Elemento'.

Jean-Philippe Doret - Translated by Dave Davies