In 2019 we saw De Tomaso return within the framework of the Goodwood Festival. The P72 became quite a sensation, especially for its retro-futuristic design that cites the De Tomaso P70, a race car manufactured in conjunction with Shelby, which unfortunately did not do very well in racing, but is still part of of the history of this company.
The P72 was based on the chassis of the Apollo Intensa Emozione (Apollo, ex Gumpert -the creators of the Gumpert Apollo-, is part of the same Hong Kong holding company to which De Tomaso now belongs) with an interior and a body made entirely of carbon fiber, but with a more GT orientation and less of a track.
De Tomaso’s plans did consider a more adept model for running. That car is the P900, an “evolution” on the work of the P72., but with a much more extreme look. Obviously, there are things that we will recognize from the P72 such as the glass dome or the front clip, but in all the places where the sensual curves of the model rested, now air vents or pointed finials emerge with a certain “vampiresque” or “gothic” vibe. Added to this are front spoilers, new air inlets (and outlets), plus a roof top intake, an engine cover with six round openings, and a bulky wraparound spoiler over the rear (with LED lights). It is here that the most marked changes are also made with respect to the P72, although maintaining its same style, with “jet” style LED lights and two more exhausts, apart from the rear diffuser. It is an extravagant car but it does not lose a bit of the sensuality of the P72, not to mention that the execution is impeccable.
The P900 will be powered by a spectacular V12, which will be manufactured by the German engineering company Capricorn. (the same people in charge of helping Porsche with the 919 LMP1) and who have also had a hand in the P72. This engine is said to sing until 12,300 laps, it will be compatible with carbon neutral fuels and will barely weigh 220 kilos. It will be associated with an Xtrac sequential box.
The thing is, this V12 is still in development and we won’t see it until later. For the eager, there is an equally tasty plan: an engine based on the one used in the Benetton B197 of the 1997 F1 season, a three-litre Renault RS9 V10. It is worth noting that this engine was not only used by Benetton, but also by other teams such as Williams, who won the drivers’ (with Jacques Villeneuve) and constructors’ championship that same year. De Tomaso has not indicated whether these engines will be made by Mecachrome or Renault.
The De Tomaso P900 will debut next year and only 18 units will be built at a price of three million dollars.