June 30, 2000.
Modena, Italy, P.I. Exclusive. We are very pleased to
announce to the DeTomaso enthusiast community that the DeTomaso
factory is alive with activity and excitement as two, that is
right, two new cars are well underway and will be shown as
first, prototypes, followed by production models. The best news
is that both cars are destined for the U.S. as well as the rest
of the world markets.
The DeTomaso factory is alive and well as new cars are planned
in the immediate future.
The vision of the founder,
Alejandro DeTomaso is carried forward and amplified in these two
new, mid-engined, 2 seater sports cars. The car that will enter
production first is a new Vallelunga. As shown in these
photographs of the first Vallelunga show car, which was a
roadster and the eventual production coupe, the new Vallelunga
will build upon the original theme. It was originally not
revealed how many cylinders the new Vallelunga will have or the
horsepower range. However, we have been advised that the engine
will be a 4 cylinder with approximately 170 horsepower. The
engine will not be supplied by Ford. Further details will be
forthcoming. The designer is Scalabrone.
The 2001 Vallelunga will enter
the market as an affordable sports car that will compete with
other affordable sports cars rather than positioned against more
costly, established marques. The key word here is, “affordable”.
Like the original Vallelunga, the new car will offer distinctive
Italian styling, an American engine and terrific performance.
Simplicity, elegant design and precise handling. The new
Vallelunga will first be shown this September and will be
debuted at the Paris Auto Show. You can bet P.I. will be there
and will report every detail to our community. The manufacturer
of the engine has not been announced at this time, however,
contract negotiations are very close to being concluded.
Following the Vallelunga into
production will be the 2002 DeTomaso Pantera. It is understood
that the next Pantera will also be mid-engined and a 2 seater as
well. The engine manufacturer has not been announced at this
time, but is expected to be the same provider as for the
Vallelunga. The price of the next Pantera will be competitive
with other exotics and oh yes, the next Pantera will be an
exotic. An automobile that will run indecently fast. The goal of
the factory is to make the Panther the performance leader in the
segment along with the still valid formula of relying on
dependable and economic American power. The car will rub
shoulders dynamically with the other exotics from Modena,
dynamically and aesthetically. It is unknown if the new Pantera
will be powered by a V8. Our focus group comments that we
obtained earlier this year leaned towards a V8. Your comments
will be submitted to the factory for their review.
The DeTomaso factory has just
launched their own website at: www.DeTomaso.It.
As the site becomes fully functional, you should be able to
learn more details on the new cars. Additional good news is that
Mr. DeTomaso’s health is stable and every Wednesday, he visits
his factory and oversees all operations. Every executive
decision is still made by the founder and his mind is still very
sharp. Santiago DeTomaso is also involved in operations as well.
Our hope is that the DeTomaso
factory will stay true to its original mission statement of 1971
by building affordable sportscars, real live 2 seater,
mid-engine cars in the spirit of the Pantera. It is a stroke of
genius to target the entry level or better market segment with
Italian styling and American performance in the Vallelunga. Let
the public be able to purchase a car of provacative design and
invigorating performance and they will begin saving their
dollars to move up to the new Pantera. We have already begun.
David and Linda Adler
Directors, Pantera International
Further details and photographs
will appear in the Fall 2000 issue of Pantera International.
Further details and photographs
will appear in the Fall 2000 issue of Pantera International.
Click here
for membership information.
If you would like to make any
suggestions, comments or put your name on an information list,
you may email us and we
will pass the information along to the factory.
