With a significant injection of cash from
this new source, the first new product was the Mangusta, originally the
De Tomaso Bigua, first shown at the 1996 Geneva Motorshow. Designed by
Marcello Gandini it is a front engined (Ford 4.6-litre V8 with 320bhp)
rear wheel drive 2+2 convertible. The engine and some other mechanical
parts are taken from the Ford Mustang, whilst the panels are made in France.
Mechanicals are conventional with double wishbone suspension, Bermbo brakes
and Bilstein coil-over units all round.
A new factory at Modena was constructed
to build the cars, and they went on sale early in 2000. After that the
company broke all links with De Tomaso and was later purchased by the MG Rover Group.
In
1998 Bruce Qvale (an American who, together with his father before him,
has been around the fringe of the motor industry for many years) purchased
the rights to produce and market De Tomaso cars in all markets except the
UK and Italy.
Technical Details
| Driveline | longitudinal engine at front with rear wheel drive |
| Engine | 4601cc (90,2x90mm) dohc 32V valve V8 Ford unit with 320bhp @ 6,000rpm |
| Suspension | front : independent with double wishbones, coil springs and anti-roll bar
rear : independent with double wishbones, coil springs and anti-roll bar wheelbase : 2670mm track (front/rear) : 1590mm/1580mm |
| Brakes | front : ventilated discs (diameter 324mm) with 4-pot Brembo callipers
rear : ventilated discs (diameter 310mm) with 4-pot Brembo callipers handbrake operating on the rear via a cable ABS and traction control |
| Gearbox | 5 speed manual |
| Steering | Rack and pinion with power assistance
3.1 turns lock-to-lock |
| Kerb weight | 1520kg (52% front / 48% rear) |
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