Test report from CoMod Carrera124 for the Carrera Evo De Tomaso Pantera Gr. 5
(27263 and 27264)
Technical data:
Weight (complete vehicle with magnets): 111 grams
Weight (complete vehicle without rear magnet): 108 grams
Weight (complete vehicle without magnets): 104 grams
Weight (body): 34 grams
Length including spoiler: 145 mm
Wheelbase: 81 mm
Track width (front axle): 62 mm
Track width (rear axle): 62.5 mm
Overview of the color and country variants:
The De Tomaso Pantera is available exclusively in the analog range, initially in two color variants. Both are technically identical, feature front and rear lighting, and can be upgraded with digital technology.
The real model:
The Pantera is a well-known sports car from the Italian luxury manufacturer De Tomaso. The road version was produced in several series over a period of 20 years, from 1971 to 1993. Estimates of the production run vary between 7,000 and 8,500 units built. It's fair to say that the car was De Tomaso's most successful model. Like other Italian small-series sports car manufacturers, De Tomaso also relied on a proven American-made V8 for the engine.
Unfortunately, little information is available about the Group 5 racing version. Apparently, only a single example was ever built, and this car managed to qualify for ninth place at the 1979 Le Mans race, but was eliminated later in the race. The car was subsequently converted into a Group C version and still exists in this form today: the De Tomaso Pantera Gr. C.
Optics:
Due to the limited number of photos of the original car, it's difficult for me to evaluate the visual implementation of the body. In my subjective opinion, the front spoiler sits relatively high, but it seems true to the original. The wings are within reason, and the extremely wide and flat, wedge-shaped body still creates a spectacular appearance. The driver's seat is flat and unfussy – perfectly adequate for a slot car. The gearshift lever, however, would have been better left out, as its position seems ergonomically questionable. The lettering is impeccable on both cars; the yellow, ochre, and brown color scheme sets attractive accents on the starting grid, and the black, red, and blue color variant is also clearly visible on the track. The latter is clearly a fantasy design, although it does bear certain similarities to the Group 4 racing versions.
Technology:
Just like the body, the chassis is impressive due to its sheer width. Apart from that, it contains all the familiar elements and can be upgraded with digital technology. Installing the digital decoder is straightforward, and there's plenty of space to safely stow the cables and connectors. The guide vane return spring is worth mentioning: while the DTM cars were already equipped with significantly softer and therefore smoother versions, the Pantera uses the older, harder version. Coincidence, oversight, or intentional? I don't know, but I hope that all cars will be equipped with the softer version in the future. The wheels, roughly in size, are those of the Porsche 935 Moby Dick, so they fall into the "road roller" category. The tire grip didn't initially convince me, especially because the tires don't fully contact the car's surface in their original condition. Sanding the tires brought a significant improvement.
Driving behavior:
I conducted the test drive with my standard setup: rear magnet out, center magnet set to the highest possible ground clearance. As expected, the De Tomaso offers very stable roadholding without any risk of tipping over, which is also helped by its relatively high weight. In tight corners, the handling is a bit hectic for my taste; the new DTM cars are noticeably more smooth and agile. Due to the car's enormous width, shoulders are highly recommended, and I imagine driving on the narrow soft-plastic tracks of competitors will be quite a challenge. All in all, the handling of the De Tomaso Pantera is comparable to the Porsche GT3 RSR, even though these cars don't really match visually.
Conclusion:
Following the Steinmetz Jumbo and the Chevrolet Dekon Monza, the De Tomaso Pantera is the third exotic car in the 1:32 scale fleet. Its performance matches its looks, and hobbyists and tuners will also find a good starting point. For 2009, I'd like to see more color variants, perhaps in the Alitalia or Martini design. I wouldn't be averse to body shells either. And since the car offers a lot of usable surface area for customization, it would also be well suited for the 2010 Club Model.
CoMod Carrera124
(27263 and 27264)
Technical data:
Weight (complete vehicle with magnets): 111 grams
Weight (complete vehicle without rear magnet): 108 grams
Weight (complete vehicle without magnets): 104 grams
Weight (body): 34 grams
Length including spoiler: 145 mm
Wheelbase: 81 mm
Track width (front axle): 62 mm
Track width (rear axle): 62.5 mm
Overview of the color and country variants:
The De Tomaso Pantera is available exclusively in the analog range, initially in two color variants. Both are technically identical, feature front and rear lighting, and can be upgraded with digital technology.
The real model:
The Pantera is a well-known sports car from the Italian luxury manufacturer De Tomaso. The road version was produced in several series over a period of 20 years, from 1971 to 1993. Estimates of the production run vary between 7,000 and 8,500 units built. It's fair to say that the car was De Tomaso's most successful model. Like other Italian small-series sports car manufacturers, De Tomaso also relied on a proven American-made V8 for the engine.
Unfortunately, little information is available about the Group 5 racing version. Apparently, only a single example was ever built, and this car managed to qualify for ninth place at the 1979 Le Mans race, but was eliminated later in the race. The car was subsequently converted into a Group C version and still exists in this form today: the De Tomaso Pantera Gr. C.
Optics:
Due to the limited number of photos of the original car, it's difficult for me to evaluate the visual implementation of the body. In my subjective opinion, the front spoiler sits relatively high, but it seems true to the original. The wings are within reason, and the extremely wide and flat, wedge-shaped body still creates a spectacular appearance. The driver's seat is flat and unfussy – perfectly adequate for a slot car. The gearshift lever, however, would have been better left out, as its position seems ergonomically questionable. The lettering is impeccable on both cars; the yellow, ochre, and brown color scheme sets attractive accents on the starting grid, and the black, red, and blue color variant is also clearly visible on the track. The latter is clearly a fantasy design, although it does bear certain similarities to the Group 4 racing versions.
Technology:
Just like the body, the chassis is impressive due to its sheer width. Apart from that, it contains all the familiar elements and can be upgraded with digital technology. Installing the digital decoder is straightforward, and there's plenty of space to safely stow the cables and connectors. The guide vane return spring is worth mentioning: while the DTM cars were already equipped with significantly softer and therefore smoother versions, the Pantera uses the older, harder version. Coincidence, oversight, or intentional? I don't know, but I hope that all cars will be equipped with the softer version in the future. The wheels, roughly in size, are those of the Porsche 935 Moby Dick, so they fall into the "road roller" category. The tire grip didn't initially convince me, especially because the tires don't fully contact the car's surface in their original condition. Sanding the tires brought a significant improvement.
Driving behavior:
I conducted the test drive with my standard setup: rear magnet out, center magnet set to the highest possible ground clearance. As expected, the De Tomaso offers very stable roadholding without any risk of tipping over, which is also helped by its relatively high weight. In tight corners, the handling is a bit hectic for my taste; the new DTM cars are noticeably more smooth and agile. Due to the car's enormous width, shoulders are highly recommended, and I imagine driving on the narrow soft-plastic tracks of competitors will be quite a challenge. All in all, the handling of the De Tomaso Pantera is comparable to the Porsche GT3 RSR, even though these cars don't really match visually.
Conclusion:
Following the Steinmetz Jumbo and the Chevrolet Dekon Monza, the De Tomaso Pantera is the third exotic car in the 1:32 scale fleet. Its performance matches its looks, and hobbyists and tuners will also find a good starting point. For 2009, I'd like to see more color variants, perhaps in the Alitalia or Martini design. I wouldn't be averse to body shells either. And since the car offers a lot of usable surface area for customization, it would also be well suited for the 2010 Club Model.
CoMod Carrera124
