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The Qvale Mangusta is a sports car produced in limited numbers in Italy by the automaker Qvale between 2000 and 2002. During development and early production, it was badged as the De Tomaso Biguá. Later (and for the North American market) it was badged as the De Tomaso Mangusta (named for the car originally built between 1967 and 1971.)
The Mangusta uses a front mid-engine, rear-wheel drive layout, and is powered by a Ford 4.6L DOHC V8. It was offered with either a Borg Warner T45 5-speed manual gearbox or a
4-speed automatic.
The Mangusta uses a unique roof mechanism referred to as the "roto-top", designed by Gandini and inspired by the folding roof of the TVR Griffith. The roto-top features a center removable panel (similar to normal targa configurations) but also allows the rear section to electrically rotate (on a forward pivot) out of sight into a cavity behind the seats. This transforms the car into a full convertible.
Automotive journalists and testers praised the car for its performance and handling, and for the utility of the roto-top. Some build quality issues were noted on early cars, and the reaction to the unconventional styling was mixed.
Specifications
- Layout - Front-engined, rear-wheel drive convertible
- Top speed - 160 mph (257 km/h) (manual transmission); 155.4 mph (250 km/h) (automatic transmission)
- Acceleration - 0-60 mph: 5.3 sec
- Engine displacement - 4601 cc
- Engine type - Normally aspirated aluminum DOHC 4-valve V8 with 9.8:1 compression
- Peak power - 320 bhp (239 kW; 324 PS) @ 6000 rpm
- Peak torque - 314 lb·ft (426 N·m) @ 4800 rpm
- Transmission - Borg Warner T45 5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic transmission (optional)
- Brakes - Brembo ventilated discs on all wheels with ABS and traction control
- Suspension - double wishbones, coil springs (front and rear)
- Steering - power assisted rack and pinion
- Available exterior colors
- Silver grey metallic
- Mangusta green metallic
- Santorini blue pearlescent
- Corallo red pearlescent
- Tigre yellow
- Midnight black
- Available interior colors
- Black
- Tobacco
- Cappuccino
Manufacturer: Qvale
Also called: De Tomaso Biguá
Production: 2000–2002 (284 produced (55 with automatic), including 18 for the European market and 1 RHD version)
Assembly: Modena, Italy
Designer: Marcello Gandini
Body and chassis
Class: Sports car
Body style: Three-position coupe/targa/full convertible
Related: MG XPower SV
Powertrain
Engine: 4.6 L Ford Cobra SVT V8
Transmission: Borg Warner T45 5-speed manual (or optional automatic transmission)
Dimensions
Wheelbase: 105.1 in (2,670 mm)
Length: 165.1 in (4,194 mm)
Width: 74.8 in (1,900 mm)
Height: 51.8 in (1,316 mm)
Curb weight: 3,351 lb (1,520 kg)
Three possible looks with one car: Coupe, Targa and Convertible
OTHER CLASSIC CARS ARE HERE
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