The De Tomaso P900's V12 engine looks like a work of art, sings like a Formula 1 car

When De Tomaso unveiled the first definitive images of the P900's powertrain, the message was clear: here, the mechanics don't hide. It exposes itself. It assumes itself. And above all, it fascinates. After catching the eye with the an exhaust system worthy of a science-fiction film, Today, the P900 is back in the spotlight with its mechanical heart. And when you look at the photos, it's hard not to think of it as a work of art.

A V12 designed as a manifesto

The De Tomaso P900 was never designed to please everyone. Produced in a limited edition of just 18 and dedicated exclusively to the track, it boasts a radical approach. Its engine is the ultimate proof of this. Out with electrification. No supercharging. Under the hood is a 65° naturally-aspirated V12 developed in collaboration with ItalTecnica. The specification sheet is impressive, but only tells part of the story. The final version confirms an even more assertive orientation: 7.0 liters of displacement, 900 hp delivered at around 9,500 rpm, and a red zone set at 10,200 rpm.

Architecture inspired by Formula 1

Visually, this V12 captivates as much as it intimidates. The photos reveal a block machined from billet aluminum, with an obvious obsession for compactness and rigidity. The whole unit weighs less than 200 kg, a remarkable figure for a twelve-cylinder of this displacement.

The timing system adopts a complete cascade of pinions, a rare solution today, historically associated with naturally-aspirated Formula 1 V12s. At very high revs, this architecture guarantees absolute timing precision. At 10,200 rpm, the slightest approximation would be fatal. Each row is fitted with two overhead camshafts controlling four titanium valves per cylinder. All this is supported by an eight-stage dry sump lubrication system, designed to withstand extreme lateral loads on the racetrack.

A mechanical sculpture designed for sound

Looking at this V12 from the front, with its twelve intake cones aligned like the nozzles of a monumental instrument, gives the impression of observing a contemporary installation. The carbon ducts, the machined parts, the titanium elements: everything seems to be placed with a clear aesthetic intention. At De Tomaso, we say it clearly: «They said the future would be calm. We've stayed true to our desire to bring back the V12.»

The P900 project evolved in a context where the automotive industry is moving towards silence. Rather than follow this trend, the brand asked another question: if this were to be one of the last naturally-aspirated V12s developed in our time, what should it represent? A simple power figure... or a lasting emotion?

Italian heritage in every lap/minute

The choice of an Italian partner is not insignificant. ItalTecnica continues the legacy of Claudio Lombardi, a major figure in Italian engine engineering, whose career spanned the glorious era of V12s in Formula 1 and success in the World Rally Championship. Now headed by Carlo Cavagnero, the company has infused this V12 with a simple philosophy: an engine must respond without hesitation, with integrity, and produce good music.

A work of art dedicated to the runway

For the time being, the P900 is strictly reserved for the racetrack. Its ultra-rigid carbon chassis, 900 kg weight and engine used as a load-bearing element bring it closer to an LMP prototype than a conventional hypercar. But when you look at this V12, almost staged like a gallery piece, one thing becomes clear: the P900 isn't just looking for performance. It claims a position. At a time when rationality dominates, De Tomaso chooses emotion.