The new hypercar teased in late September by German engineering firm Capricorn and legendary Italian styling house Zagato has broken cover at the opening of the 2025 Zoute Grand Prix.
Called the Capricorn 01 Zagato and designed by Norihiko Harada, it develops 888bhp from a 5.2-litre supercharged Ford V8 with dry sump lubrication. The Capricorn-developed powerplant features bespoke conrods, crankshaft, pistons and cooling system, and breathes through a custom air intake and exhaust system. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a five-speed CIMA dogleg manual transmission. 0-62mph is said to be reached in less than 3.0 seconds and top speed is 223mph.
The manual transmission and lack of a hybrid system is indicative of a return to ‘pure driving values’ as Capricorn CEO Robertino Wild puts it. ‘We had no wish to become involved in the current market trend for extremely high horsepower outputs, which are inevitably coupled with high weight due to the degree of electrical components required,’ he continued.
Capricorn’s dedication to lightweight design means the 01 Zagato tips the scales at just 1200kg – a touch less than a Toyota GT86. With 888bhp on-tap, that translates to a power-to-weight ratio of 740bhp per ton, which is just 1bhp short of a 1479bhp Bugatti Chiron.
Keeping that prodigious pace in check are carbon ceramic brakes paired with six-piston Brembo calipers, modulated by a bespoke anti-lock braking system.
The analogue approach continues with the steering, which is electrically assisted at low speed for easier maneuverability but disengages as the pace picks up to provide plenty of feedback through the driver’s palms.
The carbonfibre exterior balances timeless elegance with performance, using a sculpted body and underfloor to generate ground-effect downforce without resorting to aggressive splitters, wings, canards or strakes.
‘Our target was to achieve constant and predictable downforce distribution for stability, not an ultra-high downforce number with a narrow operating window that would make the hypercar nervous and challenging to drive,’ Wild explains.
The cabin is said to be inspired by historic racing cars and features a traditional analogue instrument cluster and dramatic gullwing doors.
Just 19 Capricorn 01 Zagatos will be crafted by hand in Düsseldorf. Any body colour is available, as is exposed carbonfibre with an optional bespoke weave. A two-year warranty and four-year service plan are standard, and sales run through the Louyet Group. Homologation covers the EU, UK, Switzerland, Japan, Mexico, Canada and the Middle East. Each is €2.95m before taxes.
