7 Minutes
A new hypercar for drivers who refuse to be distracted
The Capricorn 01 Zagato arrives as a deliberate act of defiance in an era dominated by electrification, autonomous systems and digital interfaces. Born from a collaboration between Germany's Capricorn Group and Milan's storied Zagato design house, the mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive hypercar is less about tech theatrics and more about the visceral, tactile thrill of driving.
What makes the 01 Zagato remarkable is that it wears its engineering on its sleeve: a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 at the heart of a carbon-fiber monocoque, a manual dogleg gearbox, pushrod suspension and a steering system designed to hand as much sensory fidelity to the driver as possible. It’s an unapologetic nod to analog performance crafted with modern motorsport know-how.
Performance and engineering: LMP1 tech for the road
Capricorn has taken a proven Ford-based V8 and reworked it into a high-revving, supercharged unit. Key headline figures:
- Power: over 888 hp (900 PS)
- Torque: 738 lb-ft (1,000 Nm)
- Redline: 9,000 rpm
- Dry weight: under 1,200 kg (2,646 lb)
- 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h): under 3.0 seconds
- Top speed: 224 mph (360 km/h)
Those figures alone put the 01 Zagato among the fastest analog hypercars, but the story is deeper. Capricorn’s roots in Formula 1, Le Mans and WRC informed an ultra-lightweight approach: full carbon structure including monocoque, subframes and crash members, translating LMP1-grade principles into a street-legal package. A double wishbone pushrod suspension with Bilstein dampers offers Comfort, Sport and Track modes, yet the setup is tuned to deliver tactile feedback rather than isolate the driver from the road.
Perhaps the most headline-grabbing choice is the five-speed CIMA dogleg manual gearbox. While the market has largely moved to dual-clutch and paddle-shift transmissions for ultimate lap times, Capricorn doubled down on driver engagement: the gearbox demands active, skilled input, and even the gear lever can be adjusted longitudinally by up to 80 mm (3.1 in) to suit different drivers and ergonomic preferences.
Steering and mechanical connection
The steering system is another deliberate compromise in favor of feel. A bespoke electric-assist unit provides low-speed convenience but is designed to disconnect at higher velocities, restoring a near-mechanical connection between the driver’s hands and the front wheels. The result is a steering signature that’s immediate, communicative and rewardingly physical.
Design: Zagato sculpting meets German discipline
Visually, the 01 Zagato is the first hypercar body penned by Zagato, and it shows. Norihiko Harada and Andrea Michele Zagato aimed for a silhouette that reads both avant-garde and timeless—an object that could stand alongside a 1930s Bugatti or a 1960s Aston Martin without feeling anachronistic.
The design language favors fluid, muscular surfaces and subtle aerodynamic integration rather than protruding aero appendages. Air is directed through sculpted intakes and outlets that double as styling elements; a distinctive rear intake behind the driver’s door follows a sweeping line that vanishes and reappears across the bodywork. Downforce is achieved with a carefully shaped underfloor, diffusers and a discreet integrated rear airfoil, producing stability without compromising the car’s purity.
Small details underline the engineering intent: gullwing doors provide theatrical entrance while contributing to structural efficiency, and mirrors are mounted on the fenders to cut weight. Extensive CFD work ensured every line has aerodynamic purpose, not just visual drama.
Interior: minimal, tactile and highly bespoke
Inside, the Capricorn 01 Zagato continues the theme of reduction and quality. The cabin is sparse by modern hypercar standards—almost every surface is carbon fiber, titanium or aluminum. Switchgear is milled from solid metal, and upholstery options include Connolly leather or Alcantara.
Instead of multiple infotainment screens, Capricorn opted for three analog instruments on the dash: a central tachometer, a left-mounted speedometer and a right-side cluster with vital engine metrics. The steering wheel carries only essential controls—engine start and driving mode selection—avoiding the clutter of multifunction stalks and buttons.
Practical touches are not ignored: fixed carbon shell seats are part of the monocoque but accommodate a wide range of body sizes via adjustable padding and a movable pedal box. An adjustable gear lever, a 110-liter front trunk and discreet features such as a reversing camera and a four-wheel lift system round out usability without distracting from the driving focus.
Limited-run, high-profile positioning
Production will be strictly limited to 19 units—a deliberate tribute to Zagato’s founding year, 1919—with hand-built assembly taking place in Germany starting in 2026. Pricing is positioned squarely in the exclusive collector market: each example is listed at approximately $3.41 million (€2.95 million) before taxes and will be retailed through the Louyet Group to elite European clients. The 01 Zagato will be homologated for major markets including the EU, UK, Japan, Canada, Mexico and the Middle East.
This car represents Capricorn’s evolution from high-end component supplier to full vehicle constructor capable of producing limited-series cars to OEM standards. For collectors and enthusiasts who prize analog engagement as much as headline performance, the 01 Zagato is a compelling proposition.
How it compares and who it’s for
The Capricorn 01 Zagato does not try to out-compute or out-electrify competitors such as electrified hypercars or tech-laden supercars. Instead, it competes on a different axis: purity of driving, mechanical artistry, and the emotional responsiveness of a high-revving, supercharged V8 mated to a manual gearbox.
If you’re choosing between modern hybrid hypercars that deliver blistering lap times via electric boosts and aerodynamic drag management, and a machine that prioritizes human connection, the Capricorn 01 Zagato is emphatically in the latter camp. It appeals to collectors who still value analog engagement and to drivers seeking an experience rather than an appliance.
Highlights
- Hand-built carbon-fiber monocoque and structure
- Supercharged 5.2L V8: 888+ hp and 1,000 Nm torque
- Five-speed CIMA dogleg manual gearbox
- Limited to 19 units, price ~$3.41M before tax
- Homologated for key global markets
The Capricorn 01 Zagato is not presented as the future of mobility. Instead, it is a focused statement: a bridge between classic analog performance and modern motorsport engineering. In a decade where screens and autonomy can dilute the driver’s role, this Zagato-bodied hypercar is a rare reminder of what makes driving feel alive—mechanical honesty, lightness, and the kind of feedback only a human-operated machine can deliver.
Source: autoevolution
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