Of all the defunct car companies, De Tomaso holds a special place in my heart for its often strange combination of American muscle and often strange but always glorious Italian styling (see Pantera and Mangusta). Someone must have stolen my dream journal, because they're bringing it back as a CROSSOVER!
"A crossover?" you ask, "Who in their right mind would take a name associated with hairy-chested sports cars and put it on a manscaped CUV?" The answer to your completely ridiculous question is Gian Mario Rossignolo, who formerly headed up Fiat marketing before purchasing the brand. And what's his plan for De Tomaso?
According to Automotive News, the new vehicle is a premium four-wheel-drive crossover called the SLC designed to compete with the BMW 5-series GT and Lexus RX, as opposed to the Ferraris and Lamborghinis the company used to compete with. Engine choices include a 550-hp V8, 300-hp V6, and 250-hp diesel V6 — all of unknown origin and all to be dropped into these aluminum-heavy "Sport Luxury Cars" at a former Pininfarina plant near Turin.
If things go well he'll use the money from the selling of his soul and the brand's heritage to build a sedan and eventually a coupe. Oh happy days. Oh happy days.