De Tomaso Ghepardo Concept

Back in 2008, De Tomaso announced the revival of the Panthera sports car. Now, we may still be waiting for that comeback, but a design exercise by Frederick Tjell may make the wait for the Italian supercar a little more tolerable.

The Ghepardo concept was inspired by the Panthera and was designed to be a modern interpretation of a tailor-made Italian suit. It was made to compete against the growing number of four door super coupes that are hitting the market, such as the Aston Martin Rapide->ke1082, the Fisker Karma->ke3016, and the Porsche Panamera->ke1840.

This elaborate supercar can be powered by either a Ford twin-turbo ecoboost 3.5 V6 engine producing 465 bhp or by four electric in-hub fuel cells each producing 85 Kw (combined an equivalent of 440 bhp). Electricity is produced by a methanol fuel cell stack located beneath the 500 liter boot.

Press release after the jump.

Press release

The four-door sports car, Ghepardo, suggests the new concept for future De Tomaso.

As the sportiest alternative to the growing number of exotic four-door super coupes, the Ghepardo challenges indeed the Aston Martin Rapide, Fisker Karma and the Porsche Panamera.

With a modern interpretation, the Ghepardo concept takes inspiration from a tailor-made Italian suit visible in its purple surfaces.

Design

Ghepardo is designed with great respect for the De Tomaso history and design language, and several elements are inspired by the surface treatments of the Pantera and Mangusta. It is designed to match the future trends within the automotive industry both in design and functionality.

Through ecoboost technology and methanol fuel cells, the car takes in demand for sustainable, green energy and technology. This is represented by the absence of big air intakes which normally indicate power.
It represents speed, aggression yet elegance through its surface treatment, stands, volume and details such as tensioned lines and integrated spoilers creating active down force.
In the question of usability, the Ghepardo serves as both a sports car as well as a saloon; giving it the versatility to suit different user needs.
The bottom windows are designed to increase the rear passengers' perception of speed.
With inspiration from the Mangusta, the large rear gull wings function as both rear doors as well as boot lit.

Technology

The De Tomaso Ghepardo uses technology based on both the latest production cars as well as the concepts cars currently being tested.

Ghepardo may be powered either by a Ford twin-turbo ecoboost 3.5 V6 producing 465 bhp or by four electric in-hub fuel cells each producing 85 Kw (combined an equivalent of 440 bhp). Electricity is produced by a methanol fuel cell stack located beneath the 500 litre boot.
It features aerodynamic design creating 0.25 Cd drag.
Active aerofoils are incorporated in the ‘c-pillar/rear wing' giving the car optimal down force at any speed.
The Ghepardo measures a length of 4820 mm, a width of 1970 mm, height of 1300 mm and a wheel base of 2990 mm.

"De Tomaso Ghepardo meets the need for saving natural resources. A sports car with the dynamic performance of a full-blooded Italian sports car and the fuel economy of a modern small car opens up exceedingly attractive perspectives for individual mobility in the future", says Frederik Tjellesen, Designer of De Tomaso Ghepardo.

De Tomaso was considered the entry level to the holy grail of Italian super cars in the 1960s and 1970s. The cars were as fast and as beautiful, however, more inexpensive than the ones of Ferrari and Lamborghini. In 1971, De Tomaso introduced the Deauville which was the fastest saloon car at the time. It was referred to as a super saloon by founder Alejandro De Tomaso. Inspired by the spirit of the Deauville, the De Tomaso Ghepardo is a modern four door fuel cell super car with a surface treatment inspired by the legendary De Tomasos of the 60s and 70s and designed for the nigh future.