New Five-Speed Manual Hypercar Features Zagato Body on a Le Mans-Inspired Chassis

      Capricorn, edited by the author

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      The Capricorn 01 Zagato was unveiled today at the Zoute Grand Prix in Belgium, and it might just be my new favorite hypercar. It features an LMP1-style chassis with a V8 engine, rear-wheel drive, a dog-leg five-speed manual transmission, an elegant analog interior, and an exquisite Zagato design.

      The vehicle reportedly weighs “less than” 2,645 pounds when dry. The manufacturers assert that the Ford 5.2-liter engine, which is supercharged and revs to 9,000 rpm, produces over 900 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque.

      Its appearance is … nearly flawless. The design includes plenty of curves and cuts, yet remains clean and organized.

      Initial performance figures are impressive: it can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 2.9 seconds, with a top speed of approximately 224 mph. However, it doesn't seem like a car that requires constant full-throttle driving to appreciate. The charmingly vintage cockpit showcases a beautifully elegant-industrial style, and shifting gears manually will keep you involved at any speed. Additionally, a dog-leg transmission is always exciting—this means that first gear is positioned down and to the left, with second and third in a straight line.

      Capricorn

      Zagato has been crafting premium car bodies for many years and for a variety of original equipment manufacturers. This marks the first project labeled as a “hypercar,” as confirmed by Zagato President, Andrea Michele Zagato, in a press release.

      Capricorn may not be as renowned a brand as Zagato, but even if you’re unfamiliar with it, you’ve likely seen their products in action. The company has a history of creating lightweight, high-performance structures for both racing and aerospace applications. Capricorn's engineering has contributed to projects such as the Porsche 919 and the Mercedes F1 team, along with numerous other initiatives. They have achieved 18 Formula 1 World Championship titles and 14 Le Mans victories to date.

      Capricorn

      “The Capricorn 01 Zagato embodies the culmination of knowledge we’ve gained over decades in pioneering ultra-lightweight materials, technologies, and construction methods,” stated Capricorn CEO Robertino Wild in a press release.

      That release further detailed the chassis design, which I’ll include verbatim for a comprehensive understanding:

      “Drawing from its experience in LMP1 racing, Capricorn has constructed its first road car around an extremely rigid and robust all-carbon fiber framework, utilizing the material to create the monocoque, front and rear subframes, crash members, and all body panels. The suspension system features a double wishbone, pushrod arrangement with an anti-roll bar and spring/damper units from Bilstein at both the front and rear, tuned for optimal response and agility. The damper components provide three driving modes (Comfort, Sport & Track) that the driver can select manually via a control on the steering wheel. Capricorn’s engineers have applied a similar uncompromising approach to the steering to guarantee the best driving experience.”

      The electric power-assisted steering system includes a small motor for assistance at low speeds, which completely disengages at higher speeds to provide a fully mechanical steering sensation.

      Capricorn

      After learning all of this, I was completely convinced by this model. Sadly, it won’t be legal for import to the U.S. without utilizing a “show and display” loophole. Furthermore, only 19 units will be produced, starting at around $3.4 million. I was all set with cash in hand to make a $5,000 down payment.

      For those of you who can afford to spend seven figures on a vehicle, the Capricorn 01 is being sold through the Louyet Group, which sells high-end cars in Belgium, Luxembourg, and France. The vehicles will be handcrafted in Germany, with the first ones expected to be completed as early as next year.

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