In a world dominated by digital dashboards and dual-clutch gearboxes, the De Tomaso P72 emerges as a defiant outlier—one that proudly celebrates analog purity and 1960s-inspired grandeur. After its initial concept stunned crowds at the 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the production-spec P72 is finally ready. Six years later, the boutique Italian marque—revived under the guidance of businessman Norman Choi—is set to deliver the first of just 72 units of this rolling sculpture.
The P72 is shaped from carbon fibre, both in body and chassis, offering a lightweight yet rigid platform. Though De Tomaso claims the chassis is all-new, it reportedly shares architecture with the Apollo Intensa Emozione—no surprise, given Choi’s involvement with both projects. The body design is pure nostalgia, echoing the sensual lines of ’60s endurance racers with swooping fenders, pronounced side intakes, and a silhouette that looks more suited for Le Mans than modern showrooms.
Step inside and you’ll find what can only be described as a love letter to vintage motoring. The cabin is devoid of modern touchscreens, instead adorned with milled aluminum switchgear, copper-toned finishes, and intricately detailed gauges. Even the gear shifter—a six-speed manual with exposed linkage—is a mechanical sculpture in its own right, a tactile counterpoint to today’s paddle-shift norm.
And don’t expect a stereo system either. As De Tomaso puts it, “the engine is the soundtrack.” Aside from a legally mandated digital rearview display, the P72 is refreshingly devoid of digital distraction.
Under the hood lies a supercharged 5.0-litre V-8, pushing out 700 horsepower and 604 lb-ft of torque. While De Tomaso touts this engine as exclusive, it’s widely believed to be a heavily reworked Roush-prepared Ford Coyote unit—a lineage that includes Mustangs and F-150s. Purists may scoff, but this combination is steeped in history; the original De Tomaso Pantera also married Italian design with Ford V-8s.
The P72’s powerplant isn’t tuned for top-speed heroics. Instead, it opts for short gear ratios and raw engagement over outright numbers. A pushrod suspension and manually adjustable three-way dampers hint at serious track potential, but De Tomaso clearly prioritizes visceral experience over lap times.
The photos released show an internal prototype, not one of the final 72 customer cars. Each production unit will be highly bespoke, tailored to its buyer’s vision. Pricing remains under wraps, but expectations easily clear the $1 million mark.
In an era where supercars are increasingly clinical, the De Tomaso P72 delivers a breath of romantic, retro-futuristic air. It’s not chasing Nürburgring records. It’s not loaded with software trickery. It’s a machine built for the art of driving—raw, emotional, and unfiltered. And for 72 lucky buyers, it’s bound to be an unforgettable experience.
