De Tomaso

McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

By Khris Bharath – June 04, 2026

De Tomaso Delivers Its First Customer P72

Nearly seven years after the P72 concept car broke cover at the 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed, De Tomaso has finally delivered its first customer car. duPont REGISTRY followed the story of this long-awaited and highly anticipated hypercar from the early days, right from the powertrain and development of the monocoque to cold-weather testing and the reveal of the production version in May last year. Dubbed "Aurelian Night," this bespoke commission showcases the company's vision of combining heritage-inspired design with a deliberately analog driving experience for the modern age. The deep blue finish changes character under varying light conditions, while rose gold accents on the wheels, exterior trim, and interior components provide a distinctive contrast, reinforcing the deliberately mechanical philosophy De Tomaso has pursued since the P72's inception. View this post on Instagram A post shared by De Tomaso Automobili (@detomaso_official) The P72 draws heavily from the De Tomaso P70 race car of the 1960s. Designed by Jowyn Wong of Wyn Design and inspired by the 1965 De Tomaso P70, a collaboration between founder Alejandro De Tomaso and Carroll Shelby, the car, built by HWA in Germany, features exquisite bodywork wrapped around a carbon-fiber monocoque structure engineered to maximize rigidity while minimizing weight. Inside, De Tomaso has taken an increasingly rare approach in the modern supercar segment. Touchscreens are absent. Drivers are greeted by traditional analog gauges, machined aluminum switchgear, and exposed mechanical details with the aforementioned rose gold finishes extending into the cockpit of this specific example. Power comes from a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 that puts out 700 horsepower and 605 pound-feet of torque, paired exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission. This configuration has become increasingly uncommon among seven-figure performance cars. De Tomaso says the setup was chosen to prioritize driver engagement and direct mechanical feedback. The chassis further supports that philosophy through manually adjustable suspension components designed to give owners greater control over the car's dynamics. With production limited to 72 units and priced from approximately $1.8 million before options and taxes, the Aurelian Night commission will tour select automotive events throughout 2026. View All Supercars and Exotic Cars For Sale Images: @detomaso_official

By Khris Bharath – February 02, 2026

A Closer Look at the Track-Only De Tomaso P900 Hypercar's 12-1 Exhaust

De Tomaso Automobili has revealed more images of the 12-1 exhaust system of its track-only hypercar, the P900, the brand’s most extreme creation to date. Beyond its functional purpose, from a purely visual standpoint, this is nothing short of a mechanical piece of art and is in line with the car that was revealed back in November 2022. The highlight is twelve individual headers converge into a single massive outlet, designed around flow efficiency, thermal management, and crucially, sound. Crafted by Italtecnica Engineering, the 12-1 exhaust system wraps around a naturally-aspirated 6.2-liter V12 engine that revs to 12,300 rpm, putting out 900 horsepower, and runs exclusively on carbon-neutral synthetic fuel. View this post on Instagram A post shared by De Tomaso Automobili (@detomaso_official) Dry weight that sits under 9,00 kg (1,984 pounds), owing to the extensive use of Carbon fiber, resulting in a 1:1 power-to-weight ratio. Capricorn Group, which revealed its own 01 Zagato hypercar at Rétromobile last week, played a key role in developing the De Tomaso’s stunning 60’s-inspired bodywork. The brand carries the name of Alejandro De Tomaso, an Argentine-born racer and industrialist whose cars in the 1960s and 1970s prioritized engines, presence, and mechanical clarity. After decades of dormancy, De Tomaso returned in 2019 with the V8-powered P72, a road-focused coupe that reintroduced the brand’s design language and long-term direction. The track-only P900 builds directly on that base. De Tomaso plans to create a De Tomaso Competizione program, assembling an annual six-race calendar for the P900’s gentleman-driver owners. You will be able to run these cars at some of the world’s most celebrated racing circuits. Only 18 examples will be built, with each priced at roughly $3 million. View All Cars For Sale On duPont REGISTRY Images: @detomas_official

A white and rose gold De Tomaso P72 luxury sports car with a sleek, aerodynamic design is displayed in a studio setting with a neutral background, showcasing its production-spec elegance.

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 14, 2025

De Tomaso Unveils New Production-Spec P72

De Tomaso’s long-awaited supercar has finally arrived. Despite being one of the most iconic names in the automotive world with performance cars that were cherished in the late 20th century, De Tomaso has laid dormant for a number of years. Its return has been anticipated with the development of a new supercar, the P72, which from its outset promised purist driving excellence, opulent design, luxury craftsmanship, and a traditional yet innovative approach to performance excellence. It was nearly six years ago at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2019 when the De Tomaso P72 was originally unveiled as a concept car. Since then, the P72 has undergone years of development, and De Tomaso is finally unveiling the production-spec version of the P72 today. Inspired by the P70, a historic collaboration between Alejandro De Tomaso and Carroll Shelby, the P72 is built on an all-new carbon fiber chassis, with a monocoque stunningly constructed from a single piece of carbon fiber. The ground-up solution makes for a platform with a low driving position and a low center of gravity, with a carbon fiber body available with historically-inspired liveries or in exposed carbon fiber. De Tomaso’s new P72 aims to preserve a dying breed of analog-feeling performance cars, and to that end, the car bodly lacks screens and infotainment, opting instead for analog dials and physical controls for a pure connection to the vehicle and its driving experience, free from distraction, save for a discreet phone holder. Materials like hand-stitched leather and milled aluminum help contribute to the traditional feeling of the interior. View All De Tomaso For Sale Continuing De Tomaso’s tradition of using V8 engines, the P72 is powered by a 5.0-liter supercharged V8, hand-assembled and developed exclusively for De Tomaso’s ‘P’ platform. With 700 horsepower and 605 lb/ft of torque, the P72 boasts impressive numbers, but places greater focus on the irreplaceable feeling of purist driving, with a header design inspired by the 1960s, and a pushrod suspension that is manually adjustable three ways. That power is sent to the wheels through a six-speed gearbox, with short ratios for optimal thrill and proudly exposed linkages to show its craftsmanship and tradition. Shown in a white and rose gold livery, the initial production specification example is internal to De Tomaso, and will exist outside the 72 examples that will be delivered to customers. Each example of the new De Tomaso P72 will be bespoke and beautifully commissioned to each client’s specifications, and deliveries are set to begin in late 2025. At long last, De Tomaso’s triumphant return to the performance world has arrived. Image Source: De Tomaso Automobili

By Tyler Rampersaud – February 29, 2024

De Tomaso Reveals Production P72 Monocoque & Suspension D...

A stunning hypercar is one step closer to fruition. De Tomaso is a name known in the automotive industry for legendary performance cars, whether they forged their legacy on the road or the race track. However, for the past few years, a revival of De Tomaso has been on the horizon, and at the center of it is the stunning P72 hypercar, and in a recent announcement, De Tomaso is one step closer to bringing the P72 to production. Affalterbach, Germany is where the development of the upcoming De Tomaso P72 hypercar is happening, and a major breakthrough has just happened as the production-ready design for the hypercar’s monocoque and suspension geometry has been finalized. With this step completed, De Tomaso is happy to announce that it is closer than ever before to completing the production-spec P72, and that assembly preparation is well underway for its preliminary series of builds. The unibody design optimizes safety and lightweight construction by using no connecting joints or adhesive bonding, and with carbon fiber construction, the P72 will combine cutting-edge engineering and design with the inspiration of decades of historic automotive creations. The new design also offers greater legroom, easier entry and exit, greater safety, road-optimized driving character, GT4 race car-derived suspension features, and more direct suspension feel. With the production-spec monocoque and suspension design finalized, the upcoming De Tomaso P72 hypercar will be hitting the road soon. De Tomaso says that production is set to begin in the second half of 2024, and once it does, the hypercar landscape will be very different than it is now. View All De Tomasos For Sale Image Source: De Tomaso

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 29, 2022

The New De Tomaso P900 Is A Track-Only, 900-HP V12 Hypercar

This new track machine is reaching for the motorsport stars. De Tomaso is a brand with plenty of motorsport legacy. Its supercars have been loved by car enthusiasts the world over for decades, and the brand’s racing exploits in the past are still celebrated today. With the P72, De Tomaso has reflected on its past and made a driver’s hypercar that appeals to the classic joys of motorsport, with plenty of power, style, and capability to make driving and witnessing it in action simply amazing. Now, De Tomaso introduces a new car, the P900, and while style is still there in spades, this new hypercar has a clear motorsport focus, being track-only. For De Tomaso, simply resting on its racing laurels wasn’t enough. MUST READ: De Tomaso Takes The P72 Prototype Out In Switzerland For Cold Weather Testing The new De Tomaso P900 was born and raised on the Nürburgring, and the brand says that it will be “the only performance hypercar to be designed, developed, and validated” on the legendary track. With 900 horsepower coming from its naturally-aspirated V12 engine that revs all the way to a screaming 12,300 rpm, and a scant dry weight of just over 1,984 pounds, the P900 is absolutely a certifiable performance machine. Much of its carbon fiber engineering enlisted the help of Capricorn GmbH, a firm known for work on F1 and the incredibly famous Porsche 919 EVO LMP1 race car. The car also stays true to De Tomaso’s history, with the bespoke V12 engine being a dream that Alejandro De Tomaso himself had, and De Tomaso’s archives showing the beginnings of a prototype of what that engine would have been. The new hypercar will also be incredibly exclusive, with only 18 units set to be produced globally. Each of these will be priced at $3 million and will be individualized by its owner with numerous bespoke options. With exclusivity comes an unparalleled ownership experience, and De Tomaso plans to create a De Tomaso Competizione program, putting together an annual six-race calendar for the P900’s gentleman-driver owners, allowing them to race their incredible performance vehicles at some of the world’s most celebrated racing courses. In addition, owners have the option of having their vehicles stored and maintained at De Tomaso’s own Nürburgring facilities. This new De Tomaso hypercar is ready to become the storied brand’s next racing legend. View All De Tomasos For Sale Source: De Tomaso

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 03, 2022

De Tomaso Takes The P72 Prototype Out In Switzerland For ...

If the legacy that the P72 carries isn’t poetic enough for you, this video will have to be. As spring approaches, car manufacturers are getting in cold weather testing while they can, as there is still snow to be flung from the backs of spinning tires, and ice to be thawed by the heat of engines. MUST READ: De Tomaso To Build P72 at New Nürburging Factory With Deliveries Starting In 2023 The De Tomaso P72 is a highly anticipated car, one that we as enthusiasts have been waiting to see fully realized since 2019. And even though seeing a video of the car in cold weather testing means that it still isn’t out in the street yet, it does mean that it’s closer than ever. Deliveries start next year of the 72 P72s that will be built, and for now, seeing a P72 prototype gracefully dance in the white expanses of Swiss snow will just have to do. Seeing the 6-speed manual transmission being shifted and hearing the 5.0-liter V8 engine giving off its classic, familiar, trustworthy roar proves how much of a commitment to De Tomaso’s heritage and legacy the P72 is, and builds all the anticipation for it to be released even higher than we thought before. Here’s to hoping we can hold out for one more year. Source: De Tomaso

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 12, 2022

De Tomaso To Build P72 at New Nürburging Factory With Del...

The De Tomaso P72 is going to be built where racing legends are born. Anticipated for years, the De Tomaso P72 will be a chapter in the brand’s legacy of creating iconic and classic racing and sports cars. Limited to 72 examples, the P72 will also be very rare. Part of the reason that only a limited number of P72s will be built is the fact that they will all be hand-built. While the car was set to be built in the United States, the pandemic has changed circumstances. At first, that was a setback, but now it has become an opportunity. De Tomaso has announced that they will be entering a strategic partnership with the capricorn Group, and that they will be opening a production facility at the Nürburgring. MUST READ: De Tomaso Is Teasing Something Big, But What Is It? You heard that right. De Tomaso will be building the P72 at one of the world’s most revered racetracks, and along with this announcement, the brand has also announced improved aerodynamics after wind tunnel testing at Toyota’s F1 wind tunnel in Cologne, Germany, and that their partnership with capricorn Group means an improved carbon-fiber chassis and deliveries set to begin at the start of 2023. Image Source: De Tomaso Automobili The brand’s partner, capricorn Group, is a renowned supplier, known for developing and producing complex, high-tech carbon-fiber components, in this case, motorsport chassis. On their resume is the chassis of the Le Mans-winning Porsche 919 race car. Combined with their expertise and De Tomaso’s style and racing heritage, both brands are ready to bring the already legendary P72 to life. Source: De Tomaso

By Edward Jones – December 10, 2021

De Tomaso Embraces Digital Design, Adds Ash Thorp as Digi...

The artist behind the new Batmobile joins De Tomaso. De Tomaso has just announced that renowned digital artist Ash Thorp has joined the company as their new Digital Artist and Designer. This hiring comes as part of De Tomaso's new digital initiative that they call "The Paradigm Thread." As part of this initiative, the company will be fully embracing digital artists and their skills to create their future 'Time Machines'. Ash Thorp will be in charge of designing De Tomaso's digital artwork and 'Time Machines', as well as other exciting digital projects. He's a perfect hire for the position as he is well-known in the digital art world for his skillset that spans many mediums. He has been linked to many feature films, such as Ender's Game, Ghost in the Shell, Total Recall, and he even worked to create the new Batmobile in the upcoming The Batman film. “I come from very humble beginnings and have worked extremely hard for decades to manifest the dreams I’ve had since I was a child. Joining an iconic automotive team was always a wishful goal of mine, and I am overjoyed and humbled with gratitude to achieve this reality with De Tomaso. ‘THE PARADIGM THREAD’ honours the astounding history of the brand and its evocative influence on how we approach the future. I have always been in love with the art and science that encompasses the vast world of automotive. So to align with De Tomaso is incredibly surreal for me; I’m living my dream.” Ash Torp, Digital Artist & Designer — De Tomaso Automobili Source: De Tomaso

By Tyler Rampersaud – December 07, 2021

De Tomaso Is Teasing Something Big, But What Is It?

According to the brand, we can look forward to “the convergence of worlds” this Thursday. De Tomaso has given us a teaser video, titled “anteprima -- ‘THE PARADIGM THREAD’,” and a date of December 9, and while this teaser video doesn’t tell us much, but it does tell us to get excited, so that’s what we’ll do. For those who aren’t well-versed in Italian, Google Translate tells us that “anteprima” means preview. But of what? All we see in the teaser are shifting shapes, silhouettes, and dimly lit kaleidoscope images of De Tomaso’s previous cars like the legendary Pantera and the ultra-rare, one-of-a-kind P72, and then a quick, vague flash of something we’ve never seen before. All we can glean is the back of a car that looks like the De Tomaso Sport 5000, but… different. Whatever the case, we are ready to see what De Tomaso has in store for us, and we will find out on Thursday. Until then, check out the teaser video above. Image Source: De Tomaso

By Edward Jones – September 15, 2021

Meet 'Isabelle' - The Story of De Tomaso Automobili's Co-...

Learn the story of Isabelle, a very important figure in De Tomaso Automobili's history. While we have all heard of the automaker known as De Tomaso, not many know of how this iconic company came to life. It all started in the world of motorsport where two racers met in 1956. These two racers would be Alejandro de Tomaso and Elizabeth "Isabelle" Haskell. Isabelle was the daughter of William C. Durant, who happened to be one of the founders of General Motors. She left the states for Europe so she could pursue a career as a racing driver and that led her to meet Alejandro. After getting married a year after they met, they founded De Tomaso Automobili in 1959. The rest is history. Now, De Tomaso is paying tribute to Isabelle with not only a short film but also naming the homologation prototype for the P72 after her. You can view the short film up above. Source: De Tomaso Automobili

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