What is it?
Intended as a rival for the BMW 5 Series GT, the De Auville is a luxury five-door coupé-cum-SUV. It will be built in Pininfarina's old factory and De Tomaso claims it will sell 3,000 cars per year.
An innovative production method, called Univis, is used for the De Auville's aluminium chassis. It uses extruded sections that De Tomaso says makes it easier to create a low volume, bespoke car.
Why's it here?
De Tomaso has big plans for the De Auville as a production car and claims there is a ready market for 3,000 cars per year. The firm is currently establishing a dealer network in Europe and also has its sights on North America. As the market for crossover vehicles has grown, De Tomaso reckons it can offer a top end product similar to Maserati's Quattroporte in the luxury car sector. With former Fiat marketing supremo Gian Mario Rossignolo at the helm, De Tomaso has more of a chance than with some of its previous reincarnations.
Show stopper or floor filler?
Time will tell here, though we have a sinking feeling the De Auville is destined to be judged by history as floor filler. While it's great to see such an evocative name back at Geneva, the De Auville concept is not what many want to see from a company famed for its brutish supercars. Still, the De Auville will be offered with a 250hp V6 turbodiesel, 300hp V6 turbo petrol or, more to our liking, a 542bhp V8 engine. All models will come with four-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic gearbox. Performance figures for the petrol V6 claim the De Auville will cover 0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds and top out at a limited 250km/h.
