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Wow what a surprise. Look what is going to be launched on 15 September!
DE TOMASO ISABELLE
Is that the P72 for the racetrack?
The Italian sports car manufacturer De Tomaso is teasing a mysterious model. On September 15, 2021 you want to pull the sheet off a new sports car. But what does that mean?
In 2019 the legendary sports car brand De Tomaso reappeared and presented the P72 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The model shares the platform with the Apollo IE. In contrast to the presentation model, there is no V12 under the glass bonnet of the P72, but the production version is a five-liter V8 with supercharging and more than 700 hp. The Ford unit is supposed to deliver 825 Nm to the rear wheels via a manual six-speed gearbox.
De Tomaso Isabelle with Power-V8
So much for the well-known P72 model. The now teased model shows itself in the style of the P72 with a distinctive rear spoiler and diffuser, towering fenders and a low cockpit. Based on the Formula 2 model from 1959, which bore the name of Alejandro De Tomaso's wife Isabelle, we could see a racing car in this tradition again in mid-September. His "iconic American sound" can already be heard in the video - here, too, a V8 unit is clearly making a noise. We suspect the De Tomaso Isabelle gets the same eight-cylinder as the P72 with more power. In return, the interior is lighter in weight.
By the way: The Argentine Alejandro De Tomaso founded a car repair shop in Modena, Italy, in 1959 thanks to the financial help of his wife Isabelle Haskell. There De Tomaso designed F1 racing cars for its own works team and for customer teams. He later concentrated on developing sports cars for the road and in 1963 presented his first model, the Vallelunga. He achieved great fame with the Pantera and later with the Coupé Longchamp. In addition to its sports car models, the automaker also took over numerous companies such as Carozzeria Ghia, Benelli, Moto Guzzi, as well as Maserati and Innocenti.
Persistent economic problems forced De Tomaso to sell all investments - including Ford. After various attempts to regain a foothold with new models, De Tomaso Modena SpA had to file for bankruptcy in 2004, one year after Alejandro's death. It was settled by 2012. Two years later the Chinese consortium "Ideal Team Venture" took over the naming rights of De Tomaso.
CONCLUSION
With the De Tomaso Isabelle, the Italian brand is holding out the prospect of a second sports car in Chinese hands. The model is reminiscent of De Tomaso's wife Isabella, who was a successful racing driver. It is questionable, however, whether even one De Tomaso model will ever see the light of day. The P72 is not expected to be built in the USA until 2022, although no production location for the 72 models has yet been found.
DE TOMASO ISABELLE
Is that the P72 for the racetrack?
The Italian sports car manufacturer De Tomaso is teasing a mysterious model. On September 15, 2021 you want to pull the sheet off a new sports car. But what does that mean?
In 2019 the legendary sports car brand De Tomaso reappeared and presented the P72 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The model shares the platform with the Apollo IE. In contrast to the presentation model, there is no V12 under the glass bonnet of the P72, but the production version is a five-liter V8 with supercharging and more than 700 hp. The Ford unit is supposed to deliver 825 Nm to the rear wheels via a manual six-speed gearbox.
De Tomaso Isabelle with Power-V8
So much for the well-known P72 model. The now teased model shows itself in the style of the P72 with a distinctive rear spoiler and diffuser, towering fenders and a low cockpit. Based on the Formula 2 model from 1959, which bore the name of Alejandro De Tomaso's wife Isabelle, we could see a racing car in this tradition again in mid-September. His "iconic American sound" can already be heard in the video - here, too, a V8 unit is clearly making a noise. We suspect the De Tomaso Isabelle gets the same eight-cylinder as the P72 with more power. In return, the interior is lighter in weight.
By the way: The Argentine Alejandro De Tomaso founded a car repair shop in Modena, Italy, in 1959 thanks to the financial help of his wife Isabelle Haskell. There De Tomaso designed F1 racing cars for its own works team and for customer teams. He later concentrated on developing sports cars for the road and in 1963 presented his first model, the Vallelunga. He achieved great fame with the Pantera and later with the Coupé Longchamp. In addition to its sports car models, the automaker also took over numerous companies such as Carozzeria Ghia, Benelli, Moto Guzzi, as well as Maserati and Innocenti.
Persistent economic problems forced De Tomaso to sell all investments - including Ford. After various attempts to regain a foothold with new models, De Tomaso Modena SpA had to file for bankruptcy in 2004, one year after Alejandro's death. It was settled by 2012. Two years later the Chinese consortium "Ideal Team Venture" took over the naming rights of De Tomaso.
CONCLUSION
With the De Tomaso Isabelle, the Italian brand is holding out the prospect of a second sports car in Chinese hands. The model is reminiscent of De Tomaso's wife Isabella, who was a successful racing driver. It is questionable, however, whether even one De Tomaso model will ever see the light of day. The P72 is not expected to be built in the USA until 2022, although no production location for the 72 models has yet been found.
