You’re behind the wheel of a car that’s more sculpture than machine, more art than algorithm, De Tomaso P72 is that car. Unveiled in its final production specification, P72 is a heartfelt tribute to mechanical purity, a nod to the era when driving was all about feel, sound, and connection — not pixels and processors.
Inspired by 1965 De Tomaso P70, a collaboration between Alejandro De Tomaso and Carroll Shelby, P72 channels the spirit of a time when design wasn’t dictated by wind tunnels but by raw emotion. Revealed initially as a concept at the 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed, P72 now steps into reality, a timeless form crafted from carbon fiber and sculpted to perfection.
What makes De Tomaso P72 remarkable isn’t just its breathtaking exterior — though the flowing, organic lines are a masterclass in 1960s-era design. It’s what lies beneath that captivates: a carbon fiber monocoque chassis formed from a single, seamless piece. Imagine that — a single carbon structure with no bonded sections, reducing weight and increasing rigidity in a way that few production cars can claim. Developed through years of meticulous engineering, the platform is a ground-up marvel designed to deliver optimal weight distribution and an incredibly low center of gravity.
Slide into the cockpit, and you’re immediately transported to another era. There are no screens. No digital overlays. No infotainment systems. Instead, De Tomaso P72 welcomes you with bespoke analogue dials, hand-stitched leather, and milled aluminum components that feel as if they were crafted by watchmakers, not robots. And then there’s the exposed linkage shifter — a polished, suspended sculpture that connects the driver to the gearbox through feel, not code. It’s a mechanical dance, a conversation between man and machine that’s becoming all too rare in today’s digital age.
At the heart of De Tomaso P72 is a 5.0L supercharged V8, hand-assembled and tuned for emotion rather than sheer power. Producing 700 hp and 820 Nm of torque, the engine is a mechanical symphony, every rev and shift a reminder that raw, unfiltered power still has a place in a world increasingly ruled by electric motors and silent acceleration. But it’s not about top speed; it’s about responsiveness — a short-ratio gearbox ensures immediate, exhilarating thrust at any gear, turning every drive into an orchestrated performance.
But let’s talk about what you can’t see: the push-rod suspension system. Developed to evoke the feel of classic racers, it’s complemented by a 3-way manually adjustable damping system, allowing drivers to tailor the car’s behavior to their liking. It’s mechanical engineering distilled down to its purest form — nothing is automated, nothing is compromised.
Every component of De Tomaso P72 carries the intentional signatures of artisans. The carbon monocoque? A 4×4 twill weave, meticulously constructed by Leonardo in southern Italy. The aluminum switchgear? Individually milled, hand-brushed, and bead-blasted, like the finishing of a bespoke timepiece. Every inch of the car tells a story — a narrative of precision, passion, and purpose.
For De Tomaso, P72 is more than a car. It’s a statement. It’s a rejection of the touchscreen-heavy, algorithm-driven automotive landscape and a call back to the days when driving was a visceral, tactile experience. And for the 72 custodians who will soon take delivery of their individually commissioned P72s, it’s a chance to own a piece of automotive art — a time capsule that refuses to conform to the trends of today.
“De Tomaso P72 was our promise to faithfully revive a historic marque,” says Norman Choi, CEO of De Tomaso Automobili. “It is our echo through time — now made real.” And as the first production units roll out in late 2025, that echo will soon be heard, not through the hum of electric motors, but through the raw, unfiltered roar of a V8 that sings like a symphony from the past.
