Geneva 2011: De Tomaso Deauville Sincerely Flatters BMW's 5 GT [with Video]

De Tomaso's return in Geneva makes me ask two questions: 1) Why do companies think cars like this, the recent Lagonda, and Spyker D12 are necessary?, and 2) Who's buying them? According to the Italian company, they've already got a 1,500 unit backlog.

The production ready Deauville concept (previously known by its SLC and later SLS codenames), revives the name De Tomaso placed on its 1970's attempt at a luxury sedan; sadly, instead of an attractive Ghia saloon, this time around the Italian marque decided to emulate BMW's GT and create a Pininfarina-penned crossover.

Inside is a different story; the plush, handcrafted interior is bathed in leather, Alcantara, and carbon fiber, although I'd like to see what Infiniti's silver flake wood might look like in there.

Once known for cars like the Pantera and Mangusta, it appears that all originality and verve have been sucked from the brand in an attempt to go Teutonic with this humpbacked tourer.

The four-door, 4WD Deauville "sport luxury sedan" will reportedly be available with a turbocharged V6 (300 horsepower), a diesel V6 (250 horsepower) or a V8 (550 horsepower), all imported from "Detroit's Powertrain Integration". Expect more info when deliveries start in September.

By Phil Alex

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De Tomaso Shows More of its New SLS Crossover, Confirms Production for 2011

One of the surprises at this year's edition of the Geneva Motor Show is the resurrection of the De Tomaso brand, which will re-launch with a production ready concept model, set to go on sale in late 2011. The Italian company filed for bankruptcy in 2004, but was brought back to life after Rossignolo former Fiat executive, Gianmario Rossignolo, acquired the brand from a Modena bankruptcy court in November 2009.

The Italian brand's first vehicle was initially codenamed SLC for Sport Luxury Crossover, but in the latest press release, De Tomaso is calling it the SLS, which stands for Sport Luxury Sedan. We know what you're thinking in regards to Mercedes-Benz's Gullwing-door supercar, but De Tomaso was quick to state the vehicle will not be sold as the SLS, with the final production name to be revealed during the Geneve press conference on March 1.

The four-wheel-drive SLS is a BMW 5-Series GT-like high-riding saloon / crossover that will be offered at launch with a choice of two gasoline engines, a 300HP V6 and a 550HP V8, with a diesel said to be in the works.

De Tomaso said the Pininfarina-designed SLS is built on an aluminum chassis using "an innovative construction technology called Univis", details of which are to be released in Geneva.

The crossover model's architecture will form the base for two more models, including a sports sedan and a coupe, with De Tomaso planning to invest €116 million (US$160 million) in the project.

The Italian firm's new owner said the company plans to build 3,000 units of the SLS annually, along with another 3,000 limousines and 2,000 coupes.

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

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