Currently reading: New De Tomaso P72 packs 700bhp Roush-tuned Ford V8
Dramatic P72 is first De Tomaso production model in decades, and now the firm has revealed where its power comes from

Reborn Italian manufacturer De Tomaso has revealed that its limited-run P72 supercar is powered by a supercharged Ford V8.

The mid-mounted 5.0-litre unit has been modified by American tuning firm Roush and is expected to produced around 700bhp and 608lb ft. A bespoke dry-sump lubrication system ensures adequate oil flow even under hard cornering, while a new type of supercharger is said to bring enhanced thermal efficiency, higher operating speeds, improved airflow and reduced noise and vibration. 

De Tomaso claims that the V8 retains "the character of a naturally aspirated engine" despite the supercharger and has been designed to achieve a "smooth, linear power curve without detracting from the old-school American V8 soundtrack". The 1965 De Tomaso P70 from which the P72 takes styling inspiration was also powered by a 5.0-litre Ford V8, with performance upgrades carried out by revered engineer Carroll Shelby. 

De tomaso 9603b

Performance details are still yet to be confirmed, but the firm has said it will release video and audio clips of the engine running in the coming months. 

Revived by Hong Kong-based IdealVenture, the team responsible for the Apollo Intense Emozione, the P72 is based around that car's underpinnings, including a carbonfibre monocoque chassis that's built to LMP (Le Mans Prototype) race regulations.

The exterior design takes much inspiration from 1960s Le Mans racers and De Tomaso’s back catalogue but with a distinctly modern twist. The interior takes a leaf out of Pagani’s book, with opulent fixtures, the finest materials and an open-linkage gearshift.

De tomaso 9612k

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The story of the De Tomaso brand is far less widely known than brands such as Ferrari. After moving to Italy to become a Formula 1 racing driver, Argentinian-born Alejandro de Tomaso founded his eponymous firm in 1959. The company’s long history includes developing F1 cars for Frank Williams and owning Maserati from 1975 to 1993.

New general manager Ryan Berris claims “Alejandro’s journey was never properly told and we feel his name should be commonly recognised among greats such as Enzo Ferrari and Ferruccio Lamborghini”. 

The new venture isn’t the first time a De Tomaso revival has been attempted. In 2009, a former Fiat executive bought the naming rights and planned to put a range of cars – including an SUV, a luxury saloon and a coupé – into production by 2011.

De tomaso 9617p

However, by the middle of 2012 the maker was in the process of liquidation, leaving 900 unpaid employees and a former Pininfarina factory to be rescued by a new buyer. Dramatically, the former chairman was then dragged into court and charged with misusing Italian public funds allocated for De Tomaso’s revival. 

Just 72 examples of the P72 will be produced, at a price of around £662,000. De Tomaso hasn’t said how many examples it has already sold. 

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Gareth 23 February 2022

It's a gorgeous car but... it's got retro styling and yet doesn't seem to relate to anything in DeTomaso's back catalogue. It looks more like a reimagining of a 1960s racing Porsche.

I'd readily believe it was a design that was originally intended for Porsche but was turned down for some reason, and was then sold to DeTomaso who didn't care that it didn't look anything like their old cars.

I'd love to have it parked on my drive because it looks fantastic, but it would always feel like the badge was some kind of mistake.

TheDriver 29 October 2019

Shame about the projected price

I recall the original Pantera was rather more realistically priced. Still expensive, but apparently even sold and serviced by certain US Ford dealers. Perhaps the new mid-engined Corvette is the more 'affordable' everyday supercar? Nevertheless, it's still good to see the De Tomaso brand resurrected.

289 29 October 2019

It does make me chuckle.....

....in 1973 the Motoring press poured scorn on the Allegro's 'Quartic steering wheel'. They commented that the car was impossible to control properly with this shape wheel (and that was with as little as 49 bhp and front wheel drive!)

Now all the Supercars have this with 700 bhp to over 1000!!!

Does this mean that the Allegro was ahead of its time?

Mikey C 30 October 2019

289 wrote:

289 wrote:

....in 1973 the Motoring press poured scorn on the Allegro's 'Quartic steering wheel'. They commented that the car was impossible to control properly with this shape wheel (and that was with as little as 49 bhp and front wheel drive!)

Now all the Supercars have this with 700 bhp to over 1000!!!

Does this mean that the Allegro was ahead of its time?

These supercar quartic steering wheels are far squarer than the Allegro's too!

si73 30 October 2019

289 wrote:

289 wrote:

....in 1973 the Motoring press poured scorn on the Allegro's 'Quartic steering wheel'. They commented that the car was impossible to control properly with this shape wheel (and that was with as little as 49 bhp and front wheel drive!)

Now all the Supercars have this with 700 bhp to over 1000!!!

Does this mean that the Allegro was ahead of its time?

I was thinking similar but I wonder if these have variable racks that enable it to have 3/4 - 1 turn lock to lock without making it too darty/nervous at the straight ahead and still give a good lock? The Allegro would have been 2-3 turns lock to lock so more difficult to handle?

si73 30 October 2019

Allegro definitely ahead of

Allegro definitely ahead of its time though:-)
275not599 5 July 2019

I see the tach goes all the

I see the tach goes all the way up to IX!  Wonder where the acies rubra is?