De Tomaso P72 Looks So Pretty In Production Form
A Visual Masterpiece: The P72’s Timeless Design
The De Tomaso P72’s beauty lies in its ability to blend retro-inspired aesthetics with modern craftsmanship, creating a silhouette that feels both nostalgic and futuristic. Inspired by the 1965 De Tomaso P70—a one-off racecar born from a collaboration between Alejandro De Tomaso and Carroll Shelby—the P72 channels the elegance of 1960s Le Mans prototypes while embracing 2025’s cutting-edge materials.
Exterior Elegance
The production P72 stays remarkably true to the 2019 concept, a rarity in the supercar world where designs often soften during development. Its curvaceous carbon-fiber body, draped over a single-piece carbon monocoque chassis, exudes grace and aggression. The first production unit, codenamed DT0001, showcases a striking white exterior with rose-gold accents—stripes, mirror caps, and wheels—that pay homage to the P70’s era. The wheels, designed to echo the P70’s, add a touch of heritage, while the low-slung profile and glass-topped doors create a dramatic presence.
- Key Design Elements:
- Flowing Lines: The P72’s smooth, uninterrupted curves recall classics like the 1966 Ferrari 330 P3 and 1967 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, as noted by Carscoops.
- Carbon Craftsmanship: Available in heritage-inspired paints or exposed carbon, the body highlights structural purity with no bonding or welding.
- Attention to Detail: Copper accents and knurled aluminum components elevate the aesthetic to jewelry-like precision.
Enthusiasts on X have called the P72 “a love letter to analog design,” praising its ability to stand out in a sea of angular, screen-heavy supercars. The production model’s fidelity to the concept has sparked excitement, with outlets like Top Gear noting its “dreamy” allure.
Interior Artistry
Step inside the P72, and the beauty intensifies. De Tomaso has rejected the digital overload of modern cars, crafting a cockpit that’s proudly screen-free. The interior is a symphony of hand-stitched white leather, exposed carbon fiber, and 179 individually milled aluminum components—19 more than the Bugatti Tourbillon, per Top Gear. The centerpiece is an exposed linkage shifter, a polished metal sculpture that connects driver to gearbox with tactile intimacy.
- Interior Highlights:
- Analog Gauges: A Roman numeral-engraved tachometer spins to IX (9,000 rpm), flanked by oil pressure, temperature, and coolant gauges.
- Craftsmanship: Every surface, from knurled aluminum controls to hand-brushed metal finishes, reflects artisanal care, akin to a mechanical timepiece.
- Minimalism: A discreet phone holder is the only nod to practicality, ensuring the road remains the focus.
The cabin’s analog ethos, described by Hagerty as “gorgeous” and “unapologetically tactile,” evokes an era when driving was an emotional act, not a data-driven one. This purist approach makes the P72 a standout in 2025, where competitors like the Lamborghini Revuelto lean heavily on digital interfaces.
Engineering Beauty: A Mechanical Soul
The P72’s beauty extends beyond its looks to its engineering, which prioritizes driver engagement over raw numbers. Built in Affalterbach, Germany, by HWA (founded by AMG co-founder Hans Werner Aufrecht), the P72 is a technical marvel designed for emotional connection.
Powertrain: A Roush-Tuned V8
At the heart of the P72 lies a supercharged 5.0-liter Ford Coyote V8, tuned by Roush to deliver 700 horsepower and 605 lb-ft of torque. Unlike the V12-powered prototype tested at Spa, the production model’s V8 offers a nod to De Tomaso’s history with Ford, as seen in the Pantera. The engine, mounted in a carbon cradle under a gold foil-lined clamshell, is tuned for in-gear responsiveness rather than top speed, per De Tomaso.
- Key Specs:
- Engine: 5.0L supercharged V8, bespoke forged internals.
- Transmission: Six-speed manual with short ratios, featuring a Pagani-esque exposed linkage.
- Sound: A bespoke supercharger minimizes whine, aiming for a naturally aspirated roar.
The manual gearbox, a rarity in 2025, aligns the P72 with analog icons like the GMA T.50 and Pagani Utopia. Enthusiasts on X have lauded its “raw beauty” and “mechanical soul,” celebrating the clutch pedal in an era of paddle shifters.
Chassis and Suspension
The P72’s chassis is a single-piece carbon-fiber monocoque, woven in 4×4 twill, extending to front and rear subframes with no bonded sections. This “unibody” design, developed with HWA, enhances rigidity, reduces weight (approximately 3,086 lbs), and sets a benchmark for structural purity. The low-mounted powertrain and seats optimize weight distribution, ensuring a low center of gravity.
The suspension, a motorsport-inspired pushrod system with three-way manually adjustable dampers, balances road comfort with track precision. De Tomaso’s 2024 updates improved suspension geometry, enhancing lateral grip and road compliance, per the company’s production update. This blend of simplicity and sophistication makes the P72 a “modern-day time machine,” as dubbed by Robb Report.
The Journey to Production: A Labor of Love
The P72’s path to production was fraught with challenges, making its beauty in 2025 all the more remarkable. Unveiled in 2019, the project faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain issues, and a shift from U.S. to German production with HWA. Early plans to share a chassis with the Apollo Intensa Emozione were scrapped for a bespoke design, increasing safety and cabin space.
Despite setbacks, De Tomaso, under CEO Norman Choi, remained committed to the original vision. “The P72 was our promise to faithfully revive a historic marque,” Choi said. “This first production-spec vehicle embodies everything we stand for: a mechanical soul, timeless beauty, and a driving experience that rises above modern convention.” The first production unit, DT0001, unveiled in May 2025, is an internal showcase for final testing, with customer deliveries set for late 2025.
All 72 units are sold out, with a waiting list for cancellations, reflecting the P72’s allure among collectors. Its €1.6 million price tag positions it alongside rivals like the Aston Martin Valiant, but its analog focus sets it apart, as noted by evo.
Why the P72 Resonates in 2025
The P72’s beauty transcends its aesthetics and engineering, tapping into a cultural craving for authenticity in a digital age. In 2025, supercars are often defined by screens, hybrid systems, and autonomous aids, but the P72 rejects these trends. Its lack of infotainment, drive modes, or digital interfaces—paired with a manual gearbox and analog gauges—feels revolutionary, as Motor1.com describes it as “absolutely lovely.”
Emotional Connection
The P72 is designed to stir the soul, not chase lap times. Its 700 horsepower is modest compared to hypercars like the 2,034-horsepower Hennessey Venom F5, but De Tomaso prioritizes “exhilarating in-gear performance” over raw speed. The exposed shifter, tactile controls, and V8’s roar create a visceral experience, as Top Gear notes: “The road is the interface, and the engine is the soundtrack.”
Exclusivity and Craftsmanship
With only 72 units, each bespoke to the owner’s specifications, the P72 is a collector’s dream. Options include heritage paints, visual carbon exteriors, and custom leather, ensuring individuality. The hand-crafted interior, with 179 aluminum components, outshines even Bugatti’s Tourbillon, per De Tomaso’s supplier claims. This exclusivity resonates with enthusiasts, as seen in X posts calling it “a moving work of art.”
Heritage Reborn
The P72 honors De Tomaso’s legacy, founded in 1959 by Alejandro De Tomaso. Its nod to the P70, combined with Ford’s V8 heritage from the Pantera, bridges past and present. The collaboration with HWA, known for Mercedes’ AMG GT race cars, ensures modern reliability, while the design evokes the 1960s’ romance, per Magneto.
Comparisons and Context in 2025
In the 2025 supercar market, the P72 competes with analog-focused peers like the GMA T.50 ($3 million, 654 horsepower) and Pagani Utopia ($2.5 million, 864 horsepower), both prioritizing manual gearboxes and driver engagement. However, its €1.6 million price and 700 horsepower make it more accessible than the $3 million Pininfarina Battista or Bugatti Tourbillon, though less powerful. The P72’s closest rival, the Aston Martin Valiant (745 horsepower, manual), shares its purist ethos but lacks the P72’s retro charm.
Unlike track-focused hypercars like the De Tomaso P900 (V12, $3 million, 18 units), the P72 is a grand tourer with a 100-liter fuel tank, designed for road enjoyment. Its pushrod suspension and adjustable dampers balance track capability with road compliance, making it versatile, per De Tomaso’s engineering updates.
Challenges and Future Prospects
The P72’s production journey wasn’t flawless. Early reliance on Apollo’s chassis and a V12 prototype raised expectations that shifted to a V8, disappointing some fans, per CarThrottle. The move to HWA and a bespoke chassis, while improving safety, delayed production. With all units sold, De Tomaso faces pressure to deliver flawless quality, as low-volume brands risk reliability issues, per The Autopian.
Looking ahead, the P900 track car and potential future models suggest De Tomaso’s ambition, as hinted by Top Gear. The ESGL merger, set for June 2025, could provide resources for expansion, reinforcing the brand’s commercial viability.
Why the P72’s Beauty Matters
The De Tomaso P72 Looks So Pretty In Production Form because it defies 2025’s tech-heavy trends, offering a tactile, emotional escape. Its curvaceous design, analog cockpit, and V8 roar evoke a bygone era, yet its carbon chassis and HWA engineering ensure modern performance. At €1.6 million, it’s a privilege for the few, but its influence—celebrated by Top Gear, Motor1, and X enthusiasts—resonates widely.
For buyers, the P72 is a statement of individuality, crafted to their desires. For enthusiasts, it’s a reminder that cars can still stir the soul. As deliveries begin in late 2025, the P72 will redefine supercar beauty—one drive at a time.