DR Automobiles, the company currently holding the rights to the Osca car brand, is planning on bringing it back for Europe, Askanews claims quoting CEO Massimo di Risio. The initial plans involve a Changan-based crossover SUV and a mid-engined sports car with the same underpinnings as the Lotus Emira.
According to di Risio, the SUV will be the first to debut later this year. It will feature a new front bumper, radiator grille and headlights, as well as a “uniquely tuned” version of Changan’s 1.5-liter turbo four-pot. Other than that, though, it seems to be little more than a rebadged Changan Uni-T. Any detailed performance numbers will have to wait until the premiere.
As for the Osca sports car, it will allegedly be based on the aluminum chassis of the Emira and its supercharged Toyota engine while sporting all-new bodywork by Pininfarina. We don’t have any photos to share with you yet, but the company promises to preview this model before the end of the year and launch production in early 2027.
Interestingly, the still-unnamed Osca coupe is supposed to cost around €200,000 when it reaches the dealers. In contrast, you can procure a reasonably well-equipped Lotus Emira for nearly half that amount – €110,000, to be exact.
O.S.C.A. Group was an Italian sports car and racing car manufacturer in the mid-20th century. It was established in 1947 and ceased operations in 1967, just two decades later. DR Automobiles purchased the rights to the brand and allegedly used it to sell Chinese imports as cars “made in Italy”. Following a €6,000,000 fine and a threat of further legal action, DR Automobiles reportedly ditched the practice and started disclosing the origins of its vehicles.