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De Tomaso Panthera Concept
De Tomaso Panthera Can Get Back Over Gallardo's Base
Clear Candidate to Resurrect
Most people that nowadays dream of having a De Tomaso Pantera must wait for a used one to reach the market. If any does get there, prices could be as high as US$ 100,000. What if you could have a modern version of this famous De Tomaso, built over a reliable and fast structure, such as the Lamborghini Gallardo’s? Well, if the designer Stefan Schulze manages to sell his idea to any investor, you might be able to do buy your Panthera (with an H) someday.
The De Tomaso Panthera Concept, as we have already told you, is a project based on the Lamborghini Gallardo’s platform, or else, it would have a V10 engine, 4WD system and a unique style, what would make this machine an easy target for wealthy buyers that want an exclusive piece of machinery. And, as we all know, they are not so few.
The sad part is that, with a Lamborghini Gallardo platform, the Panthera would cost much more than the original vehicle. And, considering the inherited capabilities this car would have, the additional price would be worth it.
Source: FirstSignal.de
Bremen_Koenigsegg
March 30, 2008 11:58:52 PM
I cannot express how bland this idea is. Aesthetics aside, this car ignores everything interesting about Pantera. The Pantera was never AWD; it was powered by a filthy, rumbling American V8; and it was designed by a Dutch-American famous for his Italian design. (This designer sounds German.) The only reason it will sell, if it should be so lucky, is because it is an exclusive Gallardo in a fancy frock. It doesn't even share the same name! I would like it if it weren't based on a car it has zero mechanical relation to.
Joe_Limon
March 30, 2008 11:08:26 PM
So the Pantera was interesting before because it was rwd, made with cheaper components, and because the designer wasn't German? My my aren't you picky in odd areas.
Bremen_Koenigsegg
April 2, 2008 12:48:34 AM
Odd areas? The character of a car is not based solely on its price tag, nor on where it was engineered. Manufacturers design a car for a market; the market is responsible for designing its character. The Pantera is not memorable because of its shape alone; it has wealths of character, with its ridiculous Ford V8, and its Italian design, from a company founded by an Argentinian. This "Panthera" is no better than an ambitious Chinese clone; it does not draw on any of the appeal the original Pantera had. I see no reason to sell out the image of the Pantera because this car designer is too unoriginal to come up with his own design.
benz_man
March 31, 2008 12:06:50 AM
Great idea, good implementation. If they find an investment banker, and can keep the price between $150K-$250K, they might have a market.
_M7_
March 31, 2008 12:11:00 AM
awd :( souless car ...when you made a car you must do it whit passion. If not you get an F430 or some electronic car for sisi boys
Joe_Limon
March 30, 2008 11:11:55 PM
lol awd soulless car. Never would I have thought Lamborghini's, high end Porsche's, Japanese super cars, would be considered soulless because they were awd. lol and then F430 a sissy car. I am guessing your dream cars require massive throttle attention... probly somewhere between a lingenfelter corvette or a 1000hp amg.
bristol411s3
March 31, 2008 1:16:07 AM
I agree with B_K. As it has nothing to give it a common theme with the original, why bother. The Gallardo is a great car already and the Panthera body adds nothing.
I would MUCH rather see a continuation of the Ford GT, say, with a Pantera body than this. I just can't see a reason to pay to have this done to a Gallardo.
OttoVu
March 31, 2008 1:13:27 PM
True, since the original Panthera was supposed to be the next generation GT 40 for the streets. Still, the Gallardo platform hardly makes it soulless. The design is a nice interpretation of the original car. Pretty.
MB.65
March 31, 2008 12:46:31 AM
Can someone explain why this car must have a Gallardo platform? Since Lamborghini is affiliated with Audi and the whole VW group couldn't you use the platform on the S5 which is still AWD and get a much cheaper product without sacrificing much of its better counterparts?
Bremen_Koenigsegg
April 2, 2008 12:27:32 AM
The S5 has a front-mounted engine... and it is a 2+2... and it has a unibody chassis. To re-engineer it into a mid-mounted 2-seater with AWD would require, among other things, relocation of the engine (with chassis strengthening), a transmission from the R8/Gallardo (since the S5 has an integral front differential), a completely redesigned interior... uhm, you get the idea. As others have already said, the Ford GT chassis would suited it better.
Bremen_Koenigsegg
April 2, 2008 12:27:46 AM
The S5 has a front-mounted engine... and it is a 2+2... and it has a unibody chassis. To re-engineer it into a mid-mounted 2-seater with AWD would require, among other things, relocation of the engine (with chassis strengthening), a transmission from the R8/Gallardo (since the S5 has an integral front differential), a completely redesigned interior... uhm, you get the idea. As others have already said, the Ford GT chassis would suit it better.
MB.65
April 2, 2008 4:44:28 AM
completely forgot about the engine placement..from the pictures it looks like it could hold an engine in the front (although that would be a taboo for this sort of car I guess) but you're right.it doesn't seem suited
FOXHOUND
March 31, 2008 12:59:07 AM
why so many haters? i think this car has potential, and even though the design is alittle bland at least its clean and uncluttered making for a nice overall shape. people should learn to be alittle more eclectic when it comes to car design.
xlumino
March 31, 2008 6:09:13 PM
haters? that's a normal thing on such boards. I even think it will have potential. But maybe Lamborghini can sell it as own production car...
_M7_
March 31, 2008 3:24:43 AM
I just dont like a "de tomaso gallardo" a lambo whit diferent body its soules...just a comercial car
think in F40 when you think in cars, you can have many hp but just be another modify car or mabye think in TVR Sagaris, you dont need butons for drive it
maddawg0
March 31, 2008 7:10:09 AM
Looks like an old school lambo from the 70's.... for like 30 minutes i couldnt put my finger on it till now
zfh
March 31, 2008 8:52:01 AM
the design needs to be spiced up a little ,looks like the DMC , and with the v 10 engine and platform of the gallardo ,i think we,re just expecting a new lambo with a different body shape, so nothing new at all! a soulless car!
joelynn
March 31, 2008 12:27:25 PM
The Gallardo does seem an odd choice. What about co-developing with the new Lotus Esprit, then we'd get 2 70's/80's legends for the price of one
radmeister
March 31, 2008 11:26:41 PM
Should have been built on the ford gt body and frame they look very similarly proportioned. I think the gallardo body frame should be reserved for the glorious comeback of the Miura but with a V12 :)
norther
April 3, 2008 12:04:13 AM
i remember when i was small i had cards, with cars. and i was playing with my mates. and i remember i had a few red DeTomatos...i just could't lose those cars, they were so dear to me. so when they stoped making them, i thought it was game over. i just didn't heard a thing about de tomaso for i dont know how many years. and now...now, this. incredible...they are back. it's stupendous, it's great, it's colossal...it's new. neautiful and high-tech. i dont care about the AWD. maybe it'll have a diff, and move the power down to the rear, to satisfy the weirdos like Bremen_Koenigsegg (and etc)...but even if not, it will be, immensly...beautiful
MiracleWhipp
April 3, 2008 6:48:02 PM
expensive kit car. but based on a good one.
Alex_011
April 4, 2008 12:16:01 AM
I really like old Pantheras, but this one, hmmmm...no, no, no, not enough good...
Yes please