Remember the cars that stirred your soul just by looking at them? The ones that connected you to the road, not through screens, but through pure, unadulterated feel? Well, De Tomaso is bringing that era back. Fresh off the press from Affalterbach, Germany, on May 14, 2025, De Tomaso Automobili has officially pulled the covers off the production-specification P72. This isn’t just a car; it’s a tribute to mechanical purity and a nod to De Tomaso’s 65 years of history.
Inspired by the 1965 De Tomaso P70, a cool collaboration between the legendary Alejandro De Tomaso and Carroll Shelby, the P72 aims to capture the vibe of a time when cars were designed and engineered with emotion front and center, steering clear of algorithms. It’s got those flowing lines and an ‘analogue soul’ that celebrates the romantic 1960s, when cars felt like art meant to be driven with real intent. We first saw it as a concept back at the 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed, but now, it’s here in its final form, ready for the streets.
Built Different: The Carbon Fiber Foundation
Okay, let’s get under the skin. Beneath those gorgeous curves, the P72 boasts something pretty special: an all-new, ground-up carbon fiber chassis. We’re talking about a clean-sheet design, woven entirely in a 4×4 twill weave, that runs from the central monocoque all the way through the front and rear subframes. The core is a unibody monocoque, which is quite remarkable because it’s formed from a single, unbroken piece of carbon fiber with zero bonded sections. That’s a rare and complex feat in the automotive world, seriously boosting rigidity and cutting weight, setting a high bar for structural purity.
Developing this platform took years of rigorous refinement. Instead of trying to adapt an existing setup, De Tomaso went for a totally ground-up approach. This gave them precise control over everything from suspension geometry to mounting points and overall chassis balance. The structure was finely tuned to support the P72’s low-slung driving position and position the powertrain as low as possible within the chassis. The goal? Optimal weight distribution and a low center of gravity, which are absolutely key to that intuitive, analogue driving feel the P72 is all about. And yeah, the whole body is also full carbon fiber, available in some cool heritage-inspired colors or a raw visual carbon finish.
Step Inside: An Analogue Oasis
Now, let’s talk about the cockpit. In a world full of touchscreens and digital interfaces, the P72 takes a hard left. The interior is a sanctuary from the digital age, designed for mechanical intimacy. You won’t find any screens, no infotainment, no overlays, no distractions. Instead, you’re greeted by classic analogue dials, bespoke switches, and a space purely focused on connecting the human with the machine.
The centerpiece is arguably the exposed linkage shifter ā it’s described as a suspended sculpture in polished metal. This isn’t just a gear lever; it’s the tactile connection to the six-speed gearbox, giving you feel, not code. It embodies everything De Tomaso is going for: touch, art, and emotion. Sure, there’s a discreet phone holder for practicality, but don’t expect any digital hookup between your device and the car. In the P72, the road is your interface, and the engine provides the soundtrack.
The craftsmanship is next-level. From the hand-stitched leather to the finish on the machined metal parts, every detail shows the human touch. De Tomaso uses individually milled aluminum components inside and out, crafted by artisans. These pieces get one of three distinct finishes ā bead-blasted, hand-brushed, or hand-polished ā put together with the same kind of care you’d find in a high-end mechanical watch.
Power and Feel: More Than Just Numbers
De Tomaso has always been known for its V8 power, a signature of the brand’s legacy. The P72 stays true to form. At its heart is a hand-assembled 5.0L supercharged V8 engine. This isn’t just any V8; it was developed specifically for the ‘P’ platform. It features bespoke forged internals and a brand-new De Tomaso supercharger, pumping out 700 hp and 820 Nm of torque.
Interestingly, the powertrain isn’t tuned for chasing top-speed records. Instead, with short gear ratios, it’s built for exhilarating performance in gear ā immediate, responsive, and designed to be emotionally rewarding. Paired with a 1960s-inspired header design, that V8 isn’t just an engine; it’s a living instrument, raw and expressive. And just like the interior, the driving experience is stripped down ā no drive modes, no shortcuts. It’s just you, the road, and that incredible engine working together in harmony.
Underneath the carbon monocoque, you’ll find a push-rod suspension system, specifically developed to deliver a proper classical driving feel. It includes a 3-way manually adjustable damping system, letting drivers fine-tune the car’s behavior to their liking. Combined with a low-drag aerodynamic shape, the P72 is a car that rewards you the more you get to know it. Every drive is meant to be a conversation between balance and bravery, precision and play.
A Promise Delivered: Production & Legacy
The car revealed recently isn’t one of the customer cars; it’s an internal production specification unit. It shows off the final design, engineering, and build quality that the 72 lucky custodians will receive. Only 72 of these beauties will be made, and each one will be individually commissioned. Owners will get tailored finishes and aesthetic options, reflecting De Tomaso’s core values.
The P72 was our promise to faithfully revive a historic marque Norman Choi, CEO
Norman Choi, CEO of De Tomaso Automobili sees this first production car as embodying everything the brand stands for: a mechanical soul, timeless beauty, and a driving experience that goes against modern trends. It’s their “echo through timeānow made real”.
De Tomaso reasserts its dedication to an emotion-driven driving experience with the P72. In today’s world of screens and quiet electric cars, the P72 is a reminder that sometimes, the most impactful technology is still the human touch.
The brand itself was founded way back in 1959 in Modena by Alejandro De Tomaso. It quickly became known for blending Italian craftsmanship with motorsport ambition. From the P70 to the iconic Pantera, De Tomaso built cars that broke the mold and captured enthusiasts’ hearts. After being quiet for decades, De Tomaso Automobili was acquired in 2014 by Norman Choi, with the mission to honor its past while redefining the analogue driving experience for today. The P72, now unveiled in production spec after its 2019 concept debut, is both a tribute to that history and a bold step into the future. Custodian deliveries are set to kick off in late 2025, starting a new chapter where heritage meets modern craftsmanship on the open road.
