At a time when automakers are increasingly turning to hybrid and electric powertrains, some Italian engineers continue to believe in the merits of pure mechanical engineering. This is particularly true of’Italtecnica, which has just unveiled its brand-new naturally aspirated V12 engine, dubbed Orion. With its claimed 905 HP, maximum rpm of 10,200, and weight of less than 200 kg, this engine is the stuff of dreams. And above all, it could very well find its way under the hood of several future exceptional supercars.
Italtecnica, an Italian engine manufacturer that’s no stranger to this kind of challenge
Do you remember Italtecnica? Of course you do—it’s that Italian company that specializes in developing high-performance engines, and it’s the one responsible, among other things, for the four-cylinder engine in the Kimera EVO37 and EVO38, the preparation of the The Porsche V8 in the Nardone 928 or the V6 engines in the models from Totem Automobili.
We also recently told you about his Pegasus project, a new V6 engine. But Italtecnica is also working on another particularly interesting project: the V12 for the future De Tomaso P900. Last February, De Tomaso officially confirmed its partnership with the Italian engine manufacturer to develop a naturally aspirated V12 engine for its track-focused supercar.
In fact, Italtecnica has just unveiled the first images and technical specifications of its new V12 Orion. This engine’s specifications are very similar to those announced for the De Tomaso P900, even though a few differences remain.
A naturally aspirated 6.8-liter V12 capable of producing over 900 HP
Named Orion, this new engine features a 65° V12 configuration with a displacement of 6.8 liters. There’s no turbocharger or hybrid system here: all the power comes from the engine itself. In its track-spec configuration, Italtecnica reports over 900 HP at 9,500 rpm, with a maximum rpm of 10,200. Torque reaches 800 Nm, with more than 70 % already available at 3,500 rpm. This promises excellent low-end torque while retaining the explosive character of a race engine at high revs.
But the Orion engine isn’t just for the racetrack. Italtecnica has also developed a version that can be certified to the Euro 6 standard, with an output of approximately 850 HP at 8,500 rpm, torque exceeding 750 Nm, and a rev limiter set at 9,200 rpm. This is an interesting feature, as it paves the way for the use of this V12 in future road-legal supercars.
Engine technology inspired by Formula 1 V12 engines
Beyond the numbers, it is the engine’s design that is particularly impressive. Italtecnica drew on technologies used in the era of Formula 1 V12 engines, notably featuring a timing system driven entirely by a cascade of gears, rather than by a chain or belt. Each cylinder bank features two overhead camshafts and four titanium valves per cylinder. The engine also features variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust sides, as well as a dry-sump lubrication system with an eight-stage pump.
The materials used are just as impressive. The engine block and its lower structure are machined from a solid block of aluminum, while the intake system makes extensive use of carbon fiber. The forged connecting rods and ultralight pistons, featuring an anti-friction ceramic coating, help minimize moving masses. The result: The complete engine, including the intake and exhaust systems, weighs less than 200 kg.
The development of the Orion also bears the mark of Claudio Lombardi, a renowned Italian engineer who worked in Formula 1 and rally racing, among other fields, and who passed away in 2025. Italtecnica has embraced this legacy, seeking to recapture the driving experience—and above all, the sound—of the great naturally aspirated V12 engines of yesteryear.
The future engine of the De Tomaso P900?
It’s hard not to draw a comparison with the De Tomaso P900. In February 2026, the manufacturer announced a naturally aspirated 7.0-liter V12 engine developed by Italtecnica, producing 900 HP at approximately 9,500 rpm, with a maximum rpm of 10,200 and a weight of less than 200 kg.
The two projects therefore appear to be closely linked, even though the announced displacement differs slightly. De Tomaso confirmed last July that its V12 had entered the bench-testing phase following the completion of its design. It remains to be seen whether the Orion will be marketed under that name by other manufacturers, or whether the P900 will have a specific variant.
Because Italtecnica has no intention of limiting its new engine to a single application. Orion will be built to order, with the option to customize the intake, engine mapping, exhaust system, and even the aesthetic finishes. This makes it easy to imagine this V12 under the hood of several Italian supercars produced in small batches. And at a time when naturally aspirated 12-cylinder engines are becoming increasingly rare, this is news that should delight enthusiasts of fine machinery.
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