Wednesday 2nd March 2011

De Tomaso Pantera To Return By End Of 2011

Classic coupe to be reborn in November

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The way things were...

The resurgent De Tomaso has announced that the legendary Pantera is set to return before the end of the year.

De Tomaso will unveil the reborn super coupe at the LA motor show in November, almost exactly 40 years after the car was first launched on the market.

The new Pantera will be the second fruit of a new three-model line-up, the first of which (the frankly odd DeAuville SUV - below right) has been launched today at the Geneva show.

The final part of the De Tomaso revival will come in the form of an all-new limousine, which is due on sale in 2012.

...and the way they are

We hope that the Pantera is a bit more appealing than the DeAuville, however. Despite being the work of Pininfarina, it appears to be a combination of a 5-series GT and a Dodge Avenger (perhaps they drew it in a lunch break?).

And despite costing 89,000 euros, and being equipped with a twin-turbo 2.8-litre V6, it can only muster a merely average 300bhp, good for 0-62mph in 6.7secs and a top speed 'in excess' of 155mph. There's also a 260bhp six-cylinder turbodiesel on the way for that car.

Salvation comes with a planned 550bhp V8 that's also on the way, however. Hopefully that's the one that'll find its way into the Pantera...

^{Pantera Pic: Charles01}

[chunkymonkey71]

The first picture could go in the "badly parked cars" thread!

[Stew2000]

I'm starting to get that tingling sensation.

[Chunkychucky]

If it was faitful to the original, then it can't come soon enough! Hopefully a useful alternative to the F458/911 Turbo elite?

[130R]

Is that V6 DeAuville thing really 89,000 euros? It looks like crap.

[Sneak]

Following the original cars theme of Italian style with American power.... would a ZR1 engine be too much to hope for?

[Agoogy]

130R said:

Is that V6 DeAuville thing really 89,000 euros? It looks like crap.

they let 6 year olds sit in the front hough.....unless thats a full grown adult in there and the car is massive!

[Stu R]

Please don't let this be another crushingly disappointing brand revival.

[chazwozza]

Stu R said:

Please don't let this be another crushingly disappointing brand revival.

Judging by that monstrosity of a mix of X5/X6/manure, that has already happened...footballers will buy them though and give them the cash to hopefully resurrect the Pantera...

[ESOG]

I love Panteras. They look like Lamborghinis of old. At our local car meet on summer nights there are always a hand full. They look like Lambo Japlas if I remember correctly. In black its bad ass.

[dingocooke]

It needs a yank V8 and supercar styling or it will be just a cash in on the original 351 Cleveland powered proper period supercar

[jake15919]

Well the DeAuville is just an ugly monstrosity, and I'll believe in the Pantera when I see it.

You have got to give them credit though, relaunching a luxury car brand with a three car lineup in tough economic times. Got to wonder where the money is coming from and how long it will last.

[georgetuk]

Ha that is rubbish! What are they trying to do make it speed authentic with original and cost authentic too.

I mean unless you are going to do it properly don't bother at all. See the Stratos for a proper redo.

[gezkc]

That Deauville thing is an absolute travesty. As the article says, it looks exactly like a cross between a 5 Series GT and a Dodge Avenger, though why anyone would want to ape the looks of either of them is beyond me.

Hopefully their attempt at the Pantera will be a bit more successful - there'll be a lot of disappointed people if they make a pig's ear of it!

[SekkyCS]

DeAwful!

[Ozzie Osmond]

Stu R said:

Please don't let this be another crushingly disappointing brand revival.

I think your caution is well placed.

[Smartass]

130R said:

Is that V6 DeAuville thing really 89,000 euros? It looks like crap.

It looks like a Mondeo.

Seriously, what is the point of that?

[Blown2CV]

don't forget: de Tomaso is yank, and yanks are st at making cars.

the end

[Papa Hotel]

I almost made a mess in my pants at the thought of a modern Pantera... then I saw that piece of st. FFS.

[Bavarianbeauty]

Just what we need - another rubbish off-road, and not great on-the-road luxury SUV chav-wagon for American and Chinese people with no taste.

Bring back the Pantera but put that thing in the skip

[AlexC1981]

It doesn't look worse than most normal family sized cars.