New De Tomaso P72 to get Roush V8
Apollo underpinnings and Ford power - De Tomaso's new model is coming together nicely
Even amongst the record number of debuts at last summer's Festival of Speed, the new De Tomaso P72 managed to stand out. With its stunning flowing lines and retro aesthetic it caused as much of a stir on the PH forums as it did on the Goodwood lawn. Based on the same platform as the upcoming Apollo IE - also produced by Hong Kong-based IdealVenture - the throwback styling is a nod to the even prettier De Tomaso P70 of 1965.
But looks aren't the only thing that the two cars now share. De Tomaso has today announced that, just like its forebear, the P72 will draw its power from a 5.0-litre Ford V8. While the '60s supercar's powerplant was fettled by Carol Shelby, however, it's another famed Ford tuner that's turned their attention to today's car.
Thanks to the team at Roush, the contemporary machine is projected to produce around 710hp and 608lb ft of torque, enough to provide it with some very modern performance stats. In order to reach that output while delivering a "smooth, linear power curve without detracting from the old-school American V8 soundtrack" and while matching "the character of a naturally aspirated engine", several innovations were needed. Foremost amongst these was an all-new supercharger, the unit said to provide greater thermal efficiency, higher operating speeds, improved airflow, less vibration and reduced noise.
ORIGINAL - 05.07.19
There are no specific performance figures just yet, but with so much power in such a pretty package, there'll surely be plenty of interest in seeing exactly how the car translates its incredible potential into real world pace.
Plenty of names have been dragged from the annals of history in recent years, only to be plastered across machines which, in reality, have very little in common with their supposed forebears. It might seem that the latest to jump on the bandwagon is Hong Kong-based IdealVenture, which has revealed its latest product in the form of the De Tomaso P72 at this week's Goodwood Festival of Speed.
The car is not claimed to be a continuation of the marque's lineage, or even a throwback to its iconic Pantera, but is instead intended to elicit a spiritual connection to the futuristic P70 prototype race car of the 1960s. To that end its design is inspired by both racing machines of the period and De Tomasso's own heritage, while its underpinnings are borrowed directly from the Apollo Intensa Emozione, also built by IdealVenture.
This means that the entire structure, down to the carbon fibre monocoque chassis, is constructed to Le Mans Prototype regulations, despite the plush interior appearing a considerably more hospitable environment than a true endurance racer. There's no word yet on the P72's technical specifications, though if it were to share more than just a chassis with Apollo's IE then it wouldn't be unreasonabour expectations. In the 1,250kg IE, the 780hp powerplant results in a 0-62 time of 2.7 seconds. Speaking from the car's podium beside the Goodwood Concours lawn, De Tomaso CMO Ryan Berris will only tell us that an engine partnership has been confirmed, with more details coming soon.
He also explains that the decision to relaunch the brand came about in 2014, when IdealVenture purchased the rights to the name from the Italian government. The spiritual connection to original company comes in the desire to offer cutting-edge performance, luxury and technology for a fraction of the cost of more established rivals. With 72 examples priced at £662,000 a piece set to be produced, it's hardly cheap, but for a machine with LMP credentials it could be a relative steal in comparison to the million-pound hypercars that have become commonplace on the Geneva and Frankfurt floors. As with so many aspects of this car, we'll just have to wait and see.
(Pics from Goodwood to follow, honest!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSHDRG6ZDpM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQlOhYM7uY4
(albeit I think I must have been perverted by PH a bit over the years cos all I thought about the copper wheels is "they belong in the Council thread")
. It was accompanied by a phalanx of Panteras, a Mangusta (one of my personal all-time favourite cars) and a Vallelunga. Hardly anyone knew what they were or could pronounce their names. The poor guy with the Vallelunga must have felt like he brought an invisible car.But then, the clientelle at FoS is hardly from an enthusiast base nowadays. Probably some of the nouveau riche were able to get some YouTubers to google "de Tomaso" for them
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