Panthera recaptures spirit of DeTomaso Pantera

Here's another trip down retro lane. The slinky silver coupe pictured alongside is known as the 'Panthera', and it's billed as a modern-day remake of the DeTomaso Pantera -- an Italian tearaway that debuted in 1971 and sold in limited numbers over the next two decades.

If ever there was a Latin exotic that would appeal to muscle-car enthusiasts, the Ghia-designed Pantera was it.

Combining a classic supercar profile with a mid-engined layout, the Pantera (Italian for Panther) adhered to the recipes embraced by the likes of the Lamborghini Miura and Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer.

However, where it differed appreciably was in its source of a motive power. No quad-cam V12s here -- instead, the DeTomaso relied on a good ol' 351-cubic-inch Ford Cleveland V8.

The overall package may have been a little crude and poorly finished, but it was brutally fast and had the traffic-stopping looks to match virtually any Lambo or Fezza.

Be that as it may, the new-age Panthera (its creators added in an 'h' for differentiation purposes) promises to be altogether more refined and reliable.

Reason? Underneath its chiseled bodywork lurk the chassis and drivetrain of a Lamborghini Gallardo. Just to refresh your memory, this means a 382kW/510Nm 5.0-litre V10 and VTS (Viscous Traction System) all-wheel drive system -- a combo that adds up to 4.2sec 0-100km/h split and 300km/h-plus top whack in the Gallardo

The Panthera was penned by German stylist Stefan Schulze, whose previous handiwork includes the Peugeot P4002 supercoupé, revealed at the 2003 Frankfurt motor show.

Schulze has low-volume production aspirations for the Panthera. The plan is to build examples on a to-order basis whereby customers first procure the donor Gallardo before handing it over to his firm for the comprehensive makeover.

We're guessing there won't be queue of punters banging Schulze's doors down, but there's always the chance a few well-heeled aficionados seeking something different will give him some business.

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