Citing the proverbial auto industry crisis and the unfavorable economy, Lamborghini announced they have cancelled plans to introduce the 4-door super performance Lamborghini Estoque. Officially unveiled back in October at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, the Estoque’s odd design aesthetic drew incredibly mixed reviews and caused many devote Lambo fanboys to question their religion. Drawing heavily from the Gallardo in terms of both engine options and front-end design, the new bull just barely lived up to the promise made by the traditional bull’s badge. Equipped with a front-engined, AWD powertrain, engine options for the Estoque included the Gallardo LP 560-4’s V10 as well as an advanced hybrid/turbo diesel variant.

Unfortunately, the Estoque’s projected cost of production and development was too steep for the Italian automaker’s tightened budget, and the decision was made to pull the plug on the project before it even got off the ground. Explained Lamborghini director of research and development, Maurizio Reggiani, “The timing and market conditions are just not right for an additional model line.”

Four months after its initial unveiling at the Paris Auto Show, Mitsubishi has finally confirmed that the 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback will indeed be making its way to American dealerships. Originally, Mitsubishi announced that the Lancer Sportback would be exclusive to the European and Asian markets – a decision made presumably out of fear of introducing a new vehicle to the tumultuous American market. Offered in two trim levels, Sportback GTS and Sportback Ralliart, the Lancer Sportback comes optionally equipped with either a 168 horsepower 2.4-liter four-banger (GTS), or a 237 horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged I4 (Ralliart). For the GTS Sportback, transmission options include either a 5-sp manual or CVT, while the Ralliart comes standard equipped with the Lancer Evo’s famed 6-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Renault Megane Coupe Concept

A new production two-door from Renault is definitely slated for 2009.  Whether all of the design elements present in the concept pictured here are carried over into that car (including a full set of gullwing doors), is still being debated.

SsangYong is the third and least well-known (at least in the U.S.) of all South Korean automakers.  The other two being Hyundai and Kia.  The company’s relative obscurity is the equal result of making budget cars (yes, even more so than Kia and Hyundai) and making ugly cars.  Conduct a SsangYong search online and you’ll be confronted with Aztek-ugliness.  So you can imagine how much a leap forward the C200 is for the company trying to upgrade it’s image.

Renault Megane Trophy Concept

From certain angles, the Megane Trophy Concept from Renault has a Nissan Z car-esque look about it.  Which is neither a bad thing or merely a coincidence.  (Remember “Le Car”) Maybe it’s a French tradition to borrow a bit of DNA from another automaker.  If you recall, Peugeot’s RC-Z concept bears an uncanny resemblance to the Audi TT.  At any rate, the Megane Trophy has adopted more than just a few of the Z car’s goodlooks.  Lurking under the retina burning yellow body is a high-revving V6 that would make any Z car owner think about a trade-in.

Introduced to us in coupe form a few weeks ago at the 2008 Paris Auto Show, our tortuous wait for a peek at the Roadster 722 S is finally over. Beneficently feeding our gnawing hunger for all things McLaren related, Mercedes took mercy on our tormented souls this week and released official production photos of the new Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S. Featuring the same 650-hp supercharged 5.5L V8 as the McLaren 722 S Coupe, both 722 Series McLaren’s are intended to serve as limited edition, exponentially more powerful, siblings to the current Mercedes SLR McLaren. Tagged “722″ in honor of Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkins’ 1955 Mille Miglia victory and the race’s 7:22am start time, both the 722 S Coupe and the Roadster 722 S are perfect examples of absolutely flawless design and superior engineering.

What’s more, Mercedes did a surprisingly impressive job of engineering the Roadster to communicate power and prestige without the slightly effeminate element usually found in most performance roadsters (No, I’m really not willing to entertain any opposing arguments on this one – it is completely posssible to absolutely thrash the throttle on a 650-horsepower sports car, and still look like a total fruit.)

Check out the gallery after the jump

Venturi Volage

The newest concept from Electric Vehicle maker Venturi, and perhaps the most technologically advanced vehicle unveiled at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, is the Volage.  Even though EV’s are getting so much press these days, in many cases there is little to distinguish them from each other.  That is not the case with the Volage.  Beyond the attention-getting bodywork made out of carbon-fiber, the two seater Volage has cutting edge high-tech equipment to accompany its high-end price.

Alfa Romeo Brera TI

Poised to be released for sale in Europe before the end of the year is Alfa Romeo’s new TI edition of the stylish Brera coupe. TI stands for Turismo Internazionale, an acronym that Alfa Romeo uses for its highest-performing cars. The original TI cars were derived from standard production models but were customized with mechanical and styling changes based on the carmaker’s racing experience.  The latest Brera TI continues that tradition. 

The Hoff Gives His Seal Of Approval

To address the fact that drivers simply don’t have enough to do while hurtling a ton of glass and steel down highways, Sony Ericcson and Saab have partnered-up at the Paris Motor Show to reveal plans for an in-car connectivity application.  Naturally, David Hasslehoff is to blame. 

First WRC Hybrid

Where fuel efficiency is currently concerned, nearly every aspect related to automobiles is impacted to some degree.  Now that includes Rally Racing.  Sporting their World Rally Championship color scheme on one side and an environmental invoking motif on the other, Citroën hopes to further expand on driver Sebastien Loeb’s racing success with the WRC C4 HyMotion4 concept.  Citroën announced in Paris that it will become the first manufacturer competing in the World Rally Championship to field a hybrid drive WRC competitor.  Through this concept the company hopes to stand out as a source of performance-related, reliable and rational technological innovations.