De Tomaso P900: V12 hypercar revealed

Italian efficiency model De Tomaso has unveiled the P900, a track-only hypercar impressed by its motorsport historical past and named after its 900kg dry weight and 900hp (662kW) output. 

The V12-powered hypercar will likely be restricted to solely 18 models globally and priced at a whopping US$3 million every (AU$4.5 million) which will definitely guarantee exclusivity. 

De Tomaso is an Italian American supercar model based in 1959 by racer Alejandro de Tomaso, greatest identified for its most profitable mannequin, the Pantera. Elvis Presley famously owned a Pantera, however grew to become so annoyed with its unreliability he shot it with a shotgun.

The corporate went bankrupt for the second time in 2012 however was revived in 2019 with the announcement of the De Tomaso P72, a supercar design impressed by the Le Mans automobiles of the ’60s which is slated to start manufacturing within the first quarter of 2023. 

The bespoke P900 powertrain is a naturally-aspirated 6.2-litre V12 able to working on artificial fuels and revving to 12,300rpm – De Tomaso says will probably be “the world’s-first carbon impartial V12” utilizing the best kind of eFuel.  

The selection to pursue artificial fuels somewhat than following the fully-electric route of different supercar producers comes from De Tomaso’s need to honour the unique V12 aspirations of its founder, and to keep up the texture and sound motoring fanatics need. 

“At De Tomaso, we pay an infinite quantity of consideration to the driving expertise, partly a big majority of this complicated matrix might be attributed to the sounds and vibrations, in essence, the sensation of a naturally aspirated engine firing on all cylinders,” stated CEO Norman Choi. 

“This enterprise into artificial fuels, represents our dedication to the pursuit of a zero-emissions mobility future with out sacrificing the essential aspect which all of us maintain so pricey – the soul and symphony of an engine.”

The 220kg powertrain was designed and developed in partnership with German motorsport engineering provider Capricorn GmbH. 

The P900 will launch in Q2 of subsequent 12 months at numerous motor reveals. Nevertheless, the powertrain improvement will proceed into late 2024, that means clients who need to take dwelling their $3 million buy right away will likely be supplied with an interim powertrain package deal within the type of a “Components One-derived V10 engine equipped by Judd Energy with bespoke parts instilled by Capricorn”. 

De Tomaso is holding efficiency figures near its chest, solely to be offered to the few fortunate homeowners, however has revealed the hypercar will likely be rear-wheel drive solely with a sequential Xtrac gearbox and full carbon fibre exterior. 

Designed by Jowyn Wong and Jakub Jodlowski, the pair behind the De Tomaso P72, the two-seater mannequin is closely impressed by the aerodynamics of LMP racers, that includes an energetic Drag Discount System (DRS) on the rear wing and dramatically curved aspect vents. 

Just like the not too long ago introduced competitor the Praga Bohema, the P900 has undergone aerodynamic testing and improvement in a Components 1 staff’s wind tunnel. 

“Our design staff have spent an amazing period of time overhauling the visible queues of the P72 into a much more performance-focused providing,” stated lead designer Jowyn Wong. 

“The end result, we really feel, is a automobile which is aggressive by nature but nonetheless romantic, invoking the feelings of 60s/70s Le Mans Prototypes while sustaining a novel and distinctive design language.”

The corporate additionally run a driver program, De Tomaso Competizione, which supplies race coaching so homeowners can take their supercars to prime speeds on a calendar of demanding tracks. 

De Tomaso will provide “a devoted staff of mechanics and engineers who will help with monitor day setup, automobile transportation and on-track efficiency, dialling within the automobile’s dynamics to the proprietor’s distinctive necessities”. 

Prospects of the P72 have been given first entry to P900 allocations, however De Tomaso says construct slots are rapidly filling up. 

Every P900 automobile might be totally customised and tailor-made to the client’s style, however the base mannequin will likely be formally launched in the course of 2023, with manufacturing to start in 2024 after the previous P72.