The De Tomaso SLC Concept was previewed in Rome over the last couple of days, and according to brand owner Gian Mario Rossignolo, already 1,450 orders have been made for the resurrected model. That would indicate a highly positive figure given that the break even point for the car has been set at 1,500 units. They are counting on the Geneva Motor Show to make that hurdle, too.

According to product manager Edoardo Rossignolo, the SLC will be available with three engines: six, eight and ten-cylinder units. The most powerful model will have about 300 hp, making this a more modest vehicle than previously expected, in terms of performance.

The weight reduction of the SLC that we talked of yesterday is apparently achieved through an innovative production process which requires only 33 aluminium presses, rather than a more traditional model which apparently requires about 320. That makes for a reduction of about 300 kg. The announcement of units already ordered seems strange, given that this was originally cited as a concept model, and because not all financing for a production run has been found yet.

According to management though, financing from the European Union has already been approved in principle, as have other investments from the regions involved. They estimate that at this rate, worker training could start in March, with the first factory opening in June. Models would then appear in September, but we have also seen a price hike from yesterday. Figures of 80,000 euros initially mentioned are now up to 110 to 130,000 euros. Here’s hoping De Tomaso has more to offer than lighter sheet metal….

Source | Autoblog.it

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