In a market already brimming with high-performance supercars and hypercars that push the limits of speed, power, and design, the arrival of the Capricorn 01 Zagato proves that there’s still room for a purist’s dream machine. This “ultra-driver-focused” creation is the result of a collaboration between Germany’s Capricorn Group and the legendary Italian design house Zagato. In an era dominated by electrification and digital controls, the 01 Zagato stands out by staying faithful to old-school motoring — featuring a manual transmission and a non-electrified, supercharged V8 engine designed purely for driver engagement.
Although this is the first vehicle to officially carry the Capricorn badge, the company has a long and respected history in high-performance engineering. Capricorn’s lightweight components have been tested in the world’s toughest motorsport competitions — from Porsche’s LMP1 Le Mans program to Peugeot Sport’s Dakar efforts, Mercedes and Lotus in Formula 1, and even Volkswagen’s WRC campaigns. The firm’s founder and CEO, Robertino Wild, shares a close friendship with Andrea Michele Zagato, the president of the Italian design studio, and their partnership has produced a machine that blends German precision with Italian artistry. Their mission was clear: to create a road-legal hypercar that prioritizes emotion, feedback, and timeless mechanical purity — “a car meant to be driven, felt, and remembered.”
The 01 Zagato’s bodywork is a masterclass in design. It incorporates classic Zagato elements like the double-bubble roof, almond-shaped headlights, and muscular fenders, while also drawing inspiration from modern icons such as the Ford GT and Koenigsegg. Slim LED taillights and carefully sculpted air channels manage airflow without the use of complex active aerodynamics, ensuring consistent downforce and predictable handling. The focus was not on chasing lap times, but on crafting a car that’s rewarding for experienced drivers yet still approachable for enthusiasts.
Inside, the 01 Zagato stays true to analog tradition. The minimalist cockpit features mechanical dials, a central rev counter, and a retractable screen for the rearview camera — no large infotainment display in sight. Capricorn compares this analog resurgence to the comeback of mechanical watches after the Quartz Crisis, suggesting that as luxury vehicles become increasingly digital, true exclusivity now lies in mechanical authenticity. High-quality materials dominate the cabin: titanium and aluminum switchgear, carbon fiber trim, Alcantara, and Connolly leather. Fixed seats with adjustable padding, a customizable steering column, and an adjustable pedal box allow drivers to fine-tune their setup. Practicality isn’t ignored either — there’s even a 110-liter front trunk for luggage.
Beneath the sculpted carbon body sits a carbon-fiber monocoque chassis, paired with pushrod Bilstein dampers, double-wishbone suspension, and carbon-ceramic Brembo brakes. The 01 Zagato offers three driving modes — Comfort, Sport, and Track — and features an electric power-assisted steering system that disconnects at high speeds for a pure mechanical feel. Power comes from a mid-mounted, supercharged 5.2-liter Ford-based V8, refined by Capricorn to deliver over 888 horsepower and 1,000 Nm of torque. With a dry weight under 1,200 kg, the car rockets from 0–100 km/h in under three seconds and reaches a top speed of 360 km/h.
Production will be strictly limited to 19 hand-built examples, each assembled in Germany. Sales will extend across select regions, including the EU, UK, Japan, Mexico, Canada, Switzerland, and the Middle East. With a starting price of €2.95 million (before taxes), the 01 Zagato enters the same ultra-exclusive realm as Pagani, Koenigsegg, and Gordon Murray Automotive. Capricorn also announced plans to expand its Nürburgring facility by 2026, boosting its production capabilities to handle up to 200 vehicles per year — signaling that the 01 Zagato may be just the beginning of a new era for this ambitious German marque.