Capricorn 01 Zagato: Ultra-light, Manual V8 Hypercar
Capricorn Group has unveiled the Capricorn 01 Zagato, a mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive hypercar that puts driver engagement first. The body comes from Zagato, making it the first hypercar to feature a Zagato-designed exterior. Handbuilt in Germany and engineered for an immersive, analogue driving experience, the 01 pairs a supercharged 5.2-litre V8 with a CIMA five-speed dogleg manual gearbox. The car targets more than 900 PS and 1,000 Nm, with final figures pending homologation, and weighs under 1,200 kg thanks to an LMP1-style complete carbon fibre structure. Capricorn quotes 0 to 100 km/h in under three seconds and a 360 km/h top speed. The price is €2.95 million pre-tax, ex-works. Production is strictly limited tocoupésupés, sold exclusively through Louyet Group.
Capricorn and Zagato shaped the 01 as a collectable hypercoupéoupe with exemplary driver focus. The two companies share a long-standing relationship that blends German engineering discipline with Italian design flair. “The Capricorn 01 Zagato represents the culmination of everything we have learnt from decades of pioneering ultra-lightweight materials, technologies and construction techniques,” explains Capricorn CEO Robertino Wild. “This car is a showcase of Capricorn's comprehensive capabilities. It demonstrates precisely what Capricorn can do when it combines all of its different technologies and skills to engineer, develop, and build an entire car.” Andrea Michele Zagato adds a long-standing design pedigree to the project: “Until now, though, Zagato has never designed a hypercar. I am delighted that the first hypercar ever to feature a Zagato-designed body has been created in partnership with my dear friend Robertino Wild, and his highly experienced technical team at Capricorn.”
Zagato’s Chief Designer, Norihiko Harada, pursued a modern yet timeless form that reflects Capricorn’s lightweight values and Zagato’s heritage. “While it looks like nothing else on the road today, the Capricorn 01 Zagato is not a car from a sci-fi movie or a game; it is a car that can take its place in the history of the automobile with confidence.” The design integrates gullwing doors and places mirrors on the front wings to save weight. The surface language channels airflow to key intakes, including a dramatic rear intake formed by the door skin. The car generates stable downforce without oversized wings by using internal airflow management, a carefully sculpted underfloor with front and rear diffusers, and a discreet integrated rear airfoil. As Wild notes, the team targeted a consistent balance that regular, skilled drivers can exploit, not headline numbers with a narrow operating window.
Capricorn’s motorsport heritage underpins the chassis. The all-carbon fibre monocoque and subframes deliver exceptional stiffness and safety. At the same time, double-wishbone pushrod suspension with Bilstein dampers offers Comfort, Sport and Track modes selectable from the steering wheel. A bespoke electric power-assisted steering system assists at low speeds, then switches off at higher speeds for a direct mechanical connection. Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes with six-piston callipers ensure fade-free stopping on the road and circuit. Unique 21-inch wheels, available in lightweight alloy or carbon fibre, complete the package.
Capricorn further develops a proven Ford V8 base with an in-house supercharger, dry-sump lubrication, new rotating assembly, bespoke intake and cooling, a tuned exhaust, and proprietary ECU and mapping. The engine revs to 9,000 rpm and delivers the visceral character enthusiasts expect from a driver-focused hypercar. Wild summarises the philosophy: “The Capricorn 01 Zagato is a ‘pure, analogue driver's hypercar.’ It is not about chasing ever-escalating extreme horsepower numbers or, indeed, bragging rights. Instead, we have focused on achieving a perfect power-to-weight ratio and delivering an engaging, uncompromising driving experience. The car is designed for the joy of driving, not for setting records.” The manual gearbox channels power straight to the rear axle for an unfiltered feel.
Inside, the minimalist cabin eliminates distractions and spotlights quality. Almost every surface uses carbon fibre: Capricorn machines switchgear and interior parts from solid titanium and aluminium. Connolly leather trims the seats, with Alcantara available to taste. A trio of analogue instruments presents key data, with a central rev counter, a left-hand speedometer, and a right-hand cluster for fuel, oil temperature, oil pressure, and regulatory icons. The Capricorn three-spoke steering wheel carries only the start-stop button and drive mode controller. Fixed-position seats form part of the safety cell with Schroth four-point belts. At the same time, an adjustable pedal box, steering column, and a uniquely longitudinally adjustable manual gear lever that moves 80 mm allow fine-tuning for all drivers.
Every day's ability remains integral. The exceptionally spacious cabin accommodates drivers up to two metres tall and those of shorter stature. A front-mounted 110-litre boot suits weekend trips for two. A four-wheel lift system eases speed bumps and ramps, and a reversing camera appears on a discreet digital screen embedded in the central instrument dial.
Capricorn will handbuild 19 European-homologacoupésupés in Germany from the first half of 2026, with availability in the EU, UK, Switzerland, Japan, Mexico, Canada and the Middle East. Louyet Group will offer the entire series to its network of VIP clients and established European collectors, and the first contracts have been signed. Each car is bespoke, with any body colour, exposed carbon fibre options, or custom carbon weave patterns. Inside, buyers choose which elements are made of Connolly leather or Alcantara. Capricorn covers each car with a two-year warranty and a four-year service plan, and it will service and maintain all vehicles in Düsseldorf to safeguard quality and parts supply.
The 01 Zagato signals the beginning of a new lineage of Capricorn-branded high-end cars. Capricorn will expand Nürburgring production capacity to more than 18,000 square metres in 2026 with a third plant, supporting future programmes in batches of 100 to 200 cars per year. As Wild confirms, “This project is not a one-off; it is the beginning of a new lineage of Capricorn-branded high-end cars,” and the company remains open to limited-series contracts for OEMs and fully bespoke hypercars for private clients.
