The reincarnated DeTomaso Pantera may be progressing ahead of schedule, according to a report in the German publication, Autobild. Previously confirmed for an appearance at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show, the publication says that the newest Pantera will be present at IMS 2011, a.k.a. the Frankfurt Motor Show.
Some new information was also revealed that should make any performance car enthusiast drool like one of Pavlov’s canine friends. While the original Pantera used a steel monocoque construction, the new one will make extensive use of aluminum, resulting an expected cub weight less than 2640 pounds (1200 kg).
Coupled with an anticipated 600 hp GM crate engine, the performance specs for this Pantera 2.0 should be impressive, to say the least. Even the short video clip we posted before, of what we presume to be a Pantera prototype, is enough to give you goose bumps, if you turn up your speakers.
The original car was produced from 1970 through 1991, with some 7,200 cars being built. The mid-engine, rear drive sports car was powered by a Ford 351cui V8 that provided 330HP, while the car weighed in a bit over 3100 pounds (1400 kg). The Pantera was imported into North America by Lincoln-Mercury from 1971 to 1974.
With a 1971 MSRP of $9,800, the Pantera delivered a 0-60 time of 5.5 srconds and a top speed of 159 mph. At the drag strip, an unmodified Pantera would routinely post 14.0 second ET’s with trap speeds just under 100 mph.
For those of you who need to count up the number of sleeps until all is revealed, the 64th Frankfurt Motos Show runs from September 13 to September 25. Expect more information a couple of days before the public opening.
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