Rise of the Pantera

2012 De Tomaso Deauville Concept

De Tomaso is back and they're bringing their pantomime with them, well sort of. There first concept car, the Deauville, was more of a blubbering whale than a pantomime luxury machine. But, De Tomaso has announced that the mighty Pantera will make its triumphant return sometime next year, and it looks as if someone already knows what it looks like. A recent video was posted on YouTube showing some footage of what just might be the reborn Pantera. The car rolled out of the Grugliasco Plant in Modena, Italy. Check out the video for yourselves to see if he's correct. There are also some reports of the Pantera officially unveiling itself at the LA Auto Show this November. Stay tuned for that.

De Tomaso Returns!

2012 De Tomaso SLS Concept

De Tomaso has been gone since 2002, and it was one of the most famous and most luxurious manufacturers in all of Italy, right behind Ferrari. The Pantera was there most famous model. Elvis had one and it was a very powerful and fast car. Well, I'm here today to tell you Italians and you guys that De Tomaso is back with more Italian Luxury. They're starting off with this, the SLS Concept Study (not to confuse you with the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG). Now if you are a beemer fan, you may be looking at this and saying, "Hang on. This is just a 5-series GT with BMW crossed and De Tomaso written in crayon." You're right. De Tomaso did take a 5-series GT and added their own blend of Italian luxury and German science. Only this is much higher and looks more like a SUV/crossover than just a grand-tourer. The car will come with two engines: a 300 horsepower V6 and 550 horsepower V8, both engines sending power to all four wheels. Anyway, what De Tomaso has done is they've created a big, bulgy, humpback whale, and we're supposed to look at it like it's a good thing. But, that's my opinion. If you stand at the other end of the table and actually like this car, check it out more this week at Geneva.