Capricorn C01 Zagato - 2026

The Ghost in the Machine: The Capricorn 01 Zagato and the Return of the Analog Hypercar

In an automotive landscape increasingly defined by digital complexity, high-voltage hybridization, and the clinical efficiency of dual-clutch transmissions, the 2026 Capricorn 01 Zagato serves as a defiant mechanical manifesto. It is a vehicle that prioritizes tactile engagement over raw data, representing a rare convergence of German industrial precision and Italian aesthetic soul. This hypercar is not merely a product; it is the physical debut of the Capricorn Group—a century-old motorsport powerhouse—transitioning from the industry's most elite shadow-supplier to a primary manufacturer.

The Engineering Pedigree of a Motorsport Silent Partner

Founded in 1933, the Capricorn Group has spent decades as the quiet architect of global racing success. The company’s resume includes providing critical engine components, carbon fiber monocoques, and high-strength internals for championship-winning Formula 1 teams and Le Mans prototypes, including Porsche’s LMP1 program. The 01 Zagato represents the consolidation of this institutional knowledge. By leveraging its role as a Tier-1 supplier to brands like Bugatti and Ferrari, Capricorn has engineered a road car that utilizes genuine "race-bred" hardware, including an LMP1-specification carbon fiber monocoque and high-precision pistons forged in-house.

A Heart of Mechanical Violence

The soul of the 01 Zagato is a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 engine. While its architecture finds its roots in American engineering, it has been subjected to a comprehensive remanufacturing process at Capricorn’s Düsseldorf facility. The engine features a bespoke crankshaft, connecting rods, and a proprietary dry-sump lubrication system, all designed to support a staggering 9,000 rpm redline. The power output is rated at over 900 PS (approx. 888 hp) and 1,000 Nm of torque.

Crucially, Capricorn rejected turbocharging in favor of a mechanical supercharger to ensure instantaneous, linear power delivery that mimics the response of a naturally aspirated unit. This power is managed through a five-speed dogleg manual gearbox sourced from CIMA. The choice of a five-speed manual, rather than a six- or seven-speed, was a deliberate engineering decision to provide a more direct relationship between the driver’s input and the engine’s broad torque curve, prioritizing "emotional immersion" over the pursuit of record-breaking lap times.

Structural Purity: Every Gram Counts

The 01 Zagato adheres to a strict "Every Gram Counts" philosophy, resulting in a dry weight of less than 1,200 kg (2,646 lbs). This lightness is achieved through the ubiquitous use of carbon fiber for the central tub, body panels, subframes, and even the crash members. The vehicle's handling is further refined by a double-wishbone pushrod suspension system equipped with Bilstein EVO R motorsport dampers. These components were calibrated on Bilstein’s seven-post test rig at the Nürburgring, simulating the aerodynamic loads and road frequencies of the world's most demanding tracks to ensure a chassis that remains compliant on public roads while offering track-level precision.

The Zagato Silhouette and the Analog Cockpit

The car's visual identity is the work of Norihiko Harada at Zagato, featuring the design house’s signature "double-bubble" roof and "pinched waist" silhouette. The design avoids the "excessively gauche" wings and active aerodynamics of its contemporaries, instead utilizing underfloor management and subtle, flush-mounted intakes to generate downforce.

The interior is a study in "focused essential form". There are no infotainment screens to date the cabin; instead, the driver is greeted by three analog gauges and switchgear milled from solid titanium and aluminum. This commitment to mechanical honesty extends to the steering system: a bespoke electric power-assist system provides aid at low speeds but disconnects entirely at high velocity, leaving the driver with a purely mechanical connection to the front wheels.

Scarcity and the Strategic Horizon

Production of the 01 Zagato is strictly limited to 19 units, a tribute to the year Zagato was founded (1919). Priced at €2.95 million ($3.5 million USD), the car is positioned as an investment-grade masterpiece. The partnership with the Swiss watchmaker Chopard, which resulted in the ultra-lightweight (43.2g) Lab One Zagato Concept timepiece, further cements the car's status within the luxury ecosystem.

However, the 01 Zagato is only the first chapter. Capricorn is currently expanding its Nürburgring facility to 18,000 square meters, with the goal of producing 100 to 200 cars per year by the end of 2026. This expansion signals Capricorn’s intent to move beyond boutique collaborations and establish itself as a permanent, engineering-led fixture in the high-performance automotive market.