Lamborghini has presented design models that offer pointers to a new 2+2 coupe model that unashamedly draws on the original Espada for inspiration; so much so that Lamborghini design staff themselves actually refer to the project as the 'new Espada'. With its sweeping lines, huge overhangs and two door format, the scale models successfully bring one of the marque's most fascinating historic models right back to our attention.

This new Espada, if it is given the green light by the sportscar maker's bosses at Audi, could be presented as early as 2008. Like the original it will be a hatchback, but interestingly Lamborghini's engineers are considering dispensing with the use of conventional door pillars, and instead follow a path recently trodden by the highly successful Mazda RX-8, by utilising the rear, small 'suicide' door approach.

Power would be delivered by the Gallardo's 5.0-litre V10 and possibly even the Murcielago's 6.2-litre V12 engine, both of which will by then have benefited from a performance upgrade, while traction will be fed to the wheels via Lamborghini's stock four-wheel drive system.

The new V10 Espada will be a direct competitor to the Aston Martin DB9 as well as Maserati's forthcoming 5000GT. The more powerful V12 engined version, to be built in limited numbers, will take on Ferrari's 5.75-litre V12-powered 612 Scaglietti. One of the reasons Lamborghini has decided on offering the Murcielago's fearsome engine (currently boasting in excess of 600bhp) is that the decision has been made that right across the range Lamborghini models should go head-to-head with the Prancing Horse marque in the power stakes.

The new project has been designed around the VW-Audi Group's new D4 'architecture' set. These are prestige market-end floorpans that are expected to be used by Audi for the next A8 saloon, Bentley for the Arnage replacement, VW for the next-generation Phaeton and Bugatti for a planned entry-level sportscar, which will complement the Veyron. However these underpinnings do not technically approach the highly sophisticated transaxles, and perfect weight balance that has been achieved by Ferrari with its new 612 Scaglietti, a feat which is expected to be mirrored by the forthcoming Maserati 5000GT.

Lamborghini introduced the original Espada in 1968. It replaced the 400 GT 2+2, drawing inspiration from two 1967 Bertone show cars, the Marzal and Pirana (the latter being designed for the English Weekend Telegraph using Jaguar mechanicals). The outrageously-styled coupe, which featured a steel body and aluminium bonnet, then slotted neatly between the Miura and the Countach, giving the Raging Bull marque a genuinely competitive and wide-ranging model line-up for the first time; a situation Lamborghini finds itself in again today.

As well as its eye-catching and highly distinctive Bertone designed bodywork, styled by the legendary Marcello Gandini, the interior of the original Espada was very luxurious, although this 4,738mm long car was very much a 2+2 coupe and consequently the rear passengers found space severely limited.

The Espada featured all-round independent suspension and beefy disc brakes. Power came from a front-mounted, quad-camshaft 3,929 cc V12 engine that powered the aluminium 15-inch rear wheels, via a 5-speed gearbox. This first model, known as the Espada S1, offered 325bhp, although the two later versions, the S2 GTE and S3, saw power increased to 350bhp, which allowed the car to dash from 0-60mph in 7.8 seconds and onto a top speed of 153mph.

The Espada S2 GTC, which was introduced at the Brussels Motor Show in 1970, featured a host of improvements including disc brakes all-round, and a new dashboard.

The third and final Espada version, targeted at the US market, was premiered at the Turin Motor Show in 1973, and once again it featured an all-new dashboard, this time of a design that wrapped itself around the driver. Cosmetic revisions were made at the front end, while an electric sunroof and automatic suspension became additional options. Eventually just over 1,200 Espadas were built during the model's ten-year production lifecycle. We would expect a lot more if the new car reaches the light of a Lamborghini showroom.

ItaliaSpeed - 4 Jan 2005