FIRST LOOK: De Tomaso P72 – 700bhp, £1.6m… Work Of Art?

The revival of a legend is always a headline-grabber, but when it comes with a jaw-dropping 700bhp and a price tag of £1.6 million, the world sits up and takes notice. Enter the De Tomaso P72, a hypercar that doesn’t just pay homage to the golden era of motorsport – it brings it roaring back to life with a modern twist.

Unveiled to a chorus of gasps and camera flashes, the P72 is a striking blend of past and present. Its sensuous curves, long bonnet, and dramatic rear haunches are a loving nod to the 1960s De Tomaso P70, a car that never quite made it to production but left an indelible mark on automotive design. The P72, however, is no museum piece. Underneath its retro-inspired carbon fibre bodywork lies the beating heart of a true modern monster.

Power comes courtesy of a supercharged 5.0-litre V8, developed in partnership with Roush Engineering. The numbers are as impressive as the car’s silhouette: 700bhp, a six-speed manual gearbox, and a soundtrack that promises to be as intoxicating as its looks. De Tomaso has resisted the urge to go down the hybrid or electric route, instead focusing on pure, analogue driving pleasure – a rarity in today’s tech-laden hypercar landscape.

Step inside, and the nostalgia continues. The cabin is a work of art, dripping with polished copper, quilted leather, and exposed linkages. It’s a tactile, immersive experience, designed to make every journey feel like a special occasion. There are no digital screens vying for your attention here – just classic dials, switches, and the sense that you’re piloting something truly special.

Only 72 examples of the P72 will be built, each meticulously hand-assembled and tailored to its owner’s exacting tastes. The exclusivity is matched only by the price: at £1.6 million, this is a car for collectors and connoisseurs, not just anyone with a chequebook.

But the P72 is more than just a pretty face or a collector’s trophy. It’s a statement of intent from De Tomaso, a brand with a storied past and, if the P72 is anything to go by, a thrilling future. In an age of electrification and digital interfaces, the P72 is a love letter to the art of driving – raw, beautiful, and utterly unforgettable.

For those lucky enough to secure one, the De Tomaso P72 isn’t just a car. It’s a piece of history, reborn for a new generation. And for the rest of us? It’s a reminder that some legends never die – they just come back faster, louder, and more desirable than ever.