DeTomaso Bigua

Car Review by Paul Negyesi

The Biguá is the replacement for the nearly twenty years old Pantera.The concept remained the same: it's a Ford-based four-seater coupépenned by Marcello Gandini.One of the key features of the Biguá is the top: the middle panel ofthe hard-top (made of carbon-fiber) should be lifted out by handand thus a targeappears. The frame of the rear window acts as a roll-bar too. It canautomatically fold down, creating a convertible:

Gandini finally changed his style a bit and the Biguá doesn't looklike another Diablo-descendant.Although the measures not, the performance details put the Biguáinto the territory of the Ferrari F355 and the Porsche 911: itaccelerates from 0-100 km/h in 4.2 secs and has a max. speed of 215 km/h.The rwd Biguá is powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine, taken from theFord Mustang. Parts of the interior, the intstruments are also Ford-derived.A deal with Ford means that the Biguá should be repaired byany Ford-dealer.

Sales will start next year. Initially about 500 cars will be assembledyearly.