The name DeTomaso is one that is familiar to enthusiasts, and primarily for just one car – the Pantera. There are others, like the Mangusta, Guarà, Deauville and Longchamp, but they aren’t as well known.
It was curious then that the company relaunched with not a new version of that sports car, but instead the Deauville crossover.
The Deauville, while handsome, is a bit non-descript in the styling department. Instead, its big focus seems to be on Italian craftsmanship. Regardless, DeTomaso appears to be off to a good start, as it says it has received 1,450 orders for the vehicle. Now the company is appearing to ready the next model in its business plan, which includes the Deauville crossover, an unnamed sedan and new sports car.
Auto Bild reports that a new Pantera is scheduled to make its first appearance at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September. The car is said to weigh around 2,645 pounds, and utilize a 600-horsepower V-8 powerplant from the Chevrolet Corvette. That should ensure excellent performance. DeTomaso so far has been apt to use GM’s partsbin with the Deauville.
Its impressive that everything so far is going according to DeTomaso’s business plan. It is tough for small-scale automotive projects to be successful. That is exactly what is happening in Italy with the revival of DeTomaso though. Italian businessman Gian Mario Rossignolo purchased the company in 2009 and intends to primarily be a player in Italy’s luxury market.
DeTomaso produced cars for years, until it went into receivership in 2004. Its founder Alejandro de Tomaso died in 2003. The company’s business plan is to produce 8,000 models a year: 3,000 crossovers, 3,000 sedans and 2,000 sports cars. It could be a tough target to match, especially with the sports cars – it would have to be priced low. We wish them all the best and can’t wait to see what the reborn Pantera looks like!
