- De Tomaso Guarà
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De Tomaso Guarà 
Manufacturer De Tomaso Production 1993–2004 Class Sports car Body style Barchetta
Spider
CoupéLayout RMR layout Engine BMW M60 B40 V8 1993–1998
Ford/Visteon V8 1998–2004Transmission 6-speed manual Wheelbase 2,610 mm (102.8 in) Curb weight Coupé: 1400 kg (3086 lb)
Barchetta: 1050 kg (2315 lb)
Guara at Woodley Park - rear view
The De Tomaso Guarà is a sports car and the last project of the founder and owner Alejandro de Tomaso put into the market. Presented at the 1993 Geneva Motor Show, the Guarà was available as a coupe and open barchetta. The latter corresponds to the coupe but without roof and proper windscreen; just a small air deflector protects the passenger and the driver from the elements and the car had to be driven while wearing a helmet. The Guarà is based on the Maserati Barchetta Stradale prototype from 1991, a true race car from which a few conversions finally made it onto the public roads. The third model was the Guarà Spider, a convertible with a small canvas top; only five were produced. As for the Maserati Barchetta the designer is Carlo Gaino of the "Synthesis Design" [1].
The first cars (mainly Coupés) were sold in 1994 and with some interruptions the Coupé and the Barchetta still were available (prepayment required) in 2005/2006 in Italy, Austria and Switzerland. However, it seems there were no cars built after 2004 when the company went into liquidation.
Fibreglass, Kevlar, and other composites make the body shell, fitted to a tubular frame. The suspension is true Formula 1 and IndyCar technology with independent upper and lower wishbone with pushrod front and rear end suspension. The Guarà is known for its highly agile handling which makes it a bit too "nervous" for the average driver.
First, the Guarà was built using technology and interior parts from BMW but later all cars came equipped with Ford/Visteon (Canada) parts and engines. The Guara was never homologated for US sale. However, one Ford powered Guarà coupe has been imported into the US and has California license plates. It was displayed on November 2, 2008 at a car show in Los Angeles.
Though sources vary, approximately 10 to 12 Barchettas, 5 Spiders and about 50 Coupés were sold. Production of Spiders ceased when De Tomaso switched to the Ford engine as the new powerplant did not leave enough room for the canvas.
Engines:
1993–1998
- BMW M60 B40 light alloy V8
- 4.0 L, 32-valve
- 286 PS (282 hp/203 kW)
- Note: a 304 PS (300 hp/224 kW) version was announced but most likely just a prototype was built with that engine
- 6-speed manual
1998–2004 (1993– for America)
- Ford/Visteon light alloy V8
- 4.6 L, 32-valve
- 320 hp (239 kW)
- Supercharged engines producing 375 and 430 hp (280 and 321 kW) were announced but never built
- 6-speed manual
- Maximum speed
- Coupé: 270 km/h (168 mph)
- Barchetta: 275 km/h (171 mph)
- Acceleration 0-100 km/h (62 mph): approximately 5.0 s
- Weight
- Coupé: 1400 kg (3086 lb)
- Barchetta: 1050 kg (2315 lb)
- Prices in 2005
- Coupé: €118000
- Barchetta: €104000
References
External links
- designer of De Tomaso Guarà
- De Tomaso official Web Site
- De Tomaso Startpagina Site
- Test drive (in German)
De Tomaso Modena S.p.A. car timeline, 1960s–2010s Type 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 RMR Vallelunga Mangusta Pantera Guarà FR Sedan Deauville FR Coupé Longchamp Biguà Categories:- 1990s automobiles
- 2000s automobiles
- De Tomaso vehicles
- Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive vehicles
- Sports cars
- Vehicles introduced in 1993
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