Geneva 2011 is penned in for the dramatic return of iconic Italian marque De Tomaso, maker of the Pantera supercar. Former Lancia CEO Gian Mario Rossignolo - an Italian, funnily enough - has signalled his intention to revive the brand after buying a Pininfarina factory near Turin.

Little is known of the ins and outs of the deal, but it's reported that the 79-year-old, who once tried to buy Bertone, bought the rights fairly recently following De Tomaso's liquidation in 2004.

And already Rossignolo is staging a three-model range comeback comprising a coupé, an SUV and a luxury car. All three will be made using an apparently cutting edge spaceframe technique - and be wrapped in aluminium. Talk is cheap though, so we'll wait until Geneva 2011. The rumour that Porsche is currently 'quaking in its boots' is probably nothing more than disrespectful internet tittle-tattle.

Mark Nichol - 20 Nov 2009