Walk into any modern car show today and you’ll notice a pattern. Big screens everywhere. Silent powertrains. Cars that feel more like gadgets than machines. But hidden among all that digital noise, something very different quietly grabbed attention in Paris. A car that doesn’t chase trends or numbers. A car built around feel, sound, and connection. That car is the Capricorn 01 Zagato, and the more you learn about it, the clearer its purpose becomes.
What Is the Capricorn 01 Zagato and Why It Feels So Different
The Capricorn 01 Zagato is a boutique hypercar created by a German engineering firm, styled by legendary Italian designers, and powered by a heavily tuned American V8. That mix alone makes it unusual. The car made its latest public appearance at Salon Rétromobile in Paris, just a few months after its first showing in Belgium.
Capricorn Group describes the car as engineering-led rather than marketing-led, using a 'rapid-prototyping' loop to move from concept to road. There are currently two fully drivable prototypes leading the charge: the 'Verde Knokke' green car (Prototype 01), which served as the primary Design and Aero validator, and the bold yellow car (Prototype 02) seen at Salon Rétromobile, which acts as the Interior and Ergonomics validator. A third vehicle is already being assembled at Capricorn’s facility in Mönchengladbach, Germany, to finalize high-speed calibration. This tiered testing approach highlights how seriously the project is moving toward its 2026 delivery goal.
Capricorn 01 Zagato Exterior Makes Modern Supercars Overdesigned
The Capricorn 01 Zagato exterior carries unmistakable Zagato DNA. You instantly notice the famous double-bubble roof, a design signature dating back decades. The almond-shaped headlights and smooth body lines give it a timeless look, while the aggressive aero elements remind you this is no retro toy.
There are wide rear haunches, flying buttresses similar to what you’d see on a Ford GT, a sculpted engine cover, gullwing-style doors, and a full-width rear light bar. Dual exhaust outlets sit proudly at the back. The prototype shown in Paris wore a bold yellow finish, while the earlier version appeared in a deep green shade. Both versions prove how flexible the design can be without losing its identity.
Inside the Capricorn 01 Zagato Where Touchscreens Were Banned
Step inside the Capricorn 01 Zagato interior, and it feels like a quiet protest against modern car trends. There’s no giant touchscreen stealing your attention. Instead, you get proper dials, physical switches, and a clean layout that puts driving first.
The cabin uses premium materials like Connolly leather, Alcantara, exposed carbon fiber, aluminum, and even milled titanium. The steering wheel is round and simple, with rotary controls built in. Front and center is a gated manual shifter, something almost extinct at this level today. The bucket seats are modern but supportive, keeping the driver planted without overdoing comfort tech. It feels special, but never distracting.
Capricorn 01 Zagato Engine Keeps the American Muscle Alive
At the heart of the car is the Capricorn 01 Zagato engine, a mid-mounted 5.2-liter supercharged V8. While the block has American roots—specifically based on Ford’s 5.2L "Voodoo" or "Predator" architecture—Capricorn has re-engineered almost every major component in-house. By installing a custom rotating assembly with a bespoke crankshaft, pistons, and conrods, along with a proprietary dry-sump system and ECU, Capricorn has turned it into an effectively bespoke unit. The result is more than 900 PS and 1,000 Nm of torque, with a screaming redline that climbs to nearly 9,000 rpm.
Power is sent only to the rear wheels through a five-speed dogleg manual gearbox, staying true to the analog promise. No paddles, no shortcuts. Just driver input. Capricorn wanted the engine to be loud, responsive, and emotional. And paired with a titanium exhaust, the sound is meant to be part of the experience, not filtered out.
When Raw Speed and Control Matter Most in the Capricorn 01 Zagato
The Capricorn 01 Zagato Performance numbers are impressive, but they aren’t the headline. With a dry weight under 1,200 kg, the car can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in under three seconds and reach a top speed of around 360 km/h.
The carbon fiber monocoque chassis is inspired by LMP1 race cars, something Capricorn knows well. Suspension uses a double wishbone pushrod setup with Bilstein EVO R dampers, developed and tested at the Nürburgring. Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes handle stopping duties. Driving modes include Comfort, Sport, and Track, all manually selectable from inside the cabin.
Capricorn 01 Zagato Production Shows This Is Not a Concept
The Capricorn 01 Zagato Production plan is strict and limited. Only 19 coupes will ever be built, all hand-assembled in Germany. Capricorn confirms these prototypes are part of an intense testing and calibration program before customer cars are delivered.
Despite being the company’s first production car, Capricorn is not new to motorsport. Its lightweight components have been used by Porsche in LMP1, Peugeot Sport at Le Mans and Dakar, Mercedes and Lotus in Formula 1, and Volkswagen in rally racing. That background explains why development has moved quickly and confidently.
What Buyers Need to Know About Pricing and Availability
The Capricorn 01 Zagato Price is set at €2.95 million, before taxes. That places it directly against hypercar giants like Ferrari, Pagani, Koenigsegg, and Bugatti. Yet Capricorn says only a minimal number of build slots remain available.
First customer deliveries are on a strict timeline for 2026. The company expects to complete final road homologation by mid-2026, with the very first 'Series 01' customer cars scheduled to arrive in owners' garages toward the end of Q4 2026. To support this rollout, every vehicle includes a two-year warranty and a comprehensive four-year servicing package, with maintenance handled at Capricorn's specialized facility in Düsseldorf. The car is engineered to be road-legal across major global markets, including Europe, the UK, Japan, Canada, and the Middle East.
Capricorn 01 Zagato Specifications
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conclusion
The Capricorn 01 Zagato isn’t chasing the future, and that’s exactly why it matters. While the industry rushes toward quiet, automated machines, this car chooses feel over features and connection over convenience. It proves there’s still space at the top for raw sound, manual control, and real driver emotion. In a world moving on, the Capricorn 01 Zagato proudly stands its ground.
ALSO READ:
- California Mileage Tax: AB 1421 and the Future of Driving
- Lucid Just Built the Prototype That Will Save the Company
- IM LS9 Hyper: This Massive SUV Turns Like a Mini Cooper!
- Porsche’s New Era: Tobias Sühlmann Replaces Taycan Godfather
- Russo-Balt F200: First Look at the World’s Toughest EV Van
- Genesis X Skorpio Concept: 1,100-HP Off-Road Beast Unveiled
- 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe Facelift Spy Shots Reveal Big Updates
- Toyota’s Mystery SUV: Is an Electric Highlander Coming?
- Hemi V8 Comeback: Stellantis Plans 100K Engines for 2026
Source(Image / Thumbnail): mechhelp.in
