De Tomaso SLS Concept Previewed Ahead Of Geneva Debut

During the next Geneva auto show (March 2011) will be unveiled the new De Tomaso Car.

The new De Tomaso company, Chaired by Mr. Gianmario Rossignolo, will unveil a Pininfarina-designed concept for a premium large crossover, dubbed SLS (Sport Luxury Sedan).

The four-wheel-drive SLS is set to go into production this year using two gasoline engines, a 550-hp V-8 and a 300-hp V-6. It will not be sold as the SLS, but the final name will be revealed during the Geneve press conference (1st March 2011 – 3.30 pm).

Rossignolo plans to build 3,000 units a year of the SLS, as well as 3,000 limousines and 2,000 coupes.

The cars will be built at De Tomaso Automobili S.p.A. plant, a former Pininfarina S.p.A. factory near Turin and in the Livorno factory by the ex-Delphi workers.

De Tomaso’s business plan foreseen for a three-model range of aluminum vehicles based on an innovative construction technology called Univis. Univis requires just about 30 dies to build a vehicle.

During a 22-year career with Fiat group, Gianmario Rossignolo was a top marketing executive at the company and CEO of the Italian automaker’s Lancia brand from 1977 to 1979.

In December 2009, Rossignolo signed a deal to rent Pininfarina’s factory in Grugliasco, in the western outskirts of Turin, one of three Pininfarina plants.

The new De Tomaso company will invest 116 million euros in its rebirth project.

The Grugliasco plan currently employs 900 people and includes a body shop, paint shop and final assembly facility, while in the Livorno one will be employed 150 people.