capricorn GROUP (capricorn), the German-based industry leader in automotive and motorsport lightweight technology, has today unveiled the first limited-edition hypercar to carry the company’s name. Featuring a body designed by Zagato, the capricorn 01 Zagato is a mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive, manual transmission hypercar, engineered and handbuilt by capricorn in Germany to deliver a pure, immersive, analog driving experience.
The capricorn 01 Zagato prioritizes true lightweight technology and purity of driving over
simply excessive horsepower. A 5.2-liter supercharged V8 engine producing more than
900 PS (subject to final homologation results) and 1,000 Nm of torque. Featuring a full
LMP1-type carbon fiber structure and carbon fiber body, the capricorn 01 Zagato
weighs less than 1,200 kg, ensuring an excellent power-to-weight ratio, exceptional
agility, and a 0-100km/h acceleration time of less than 3.0 seconds.
The capricorn 01 Zagato also represents the culmination of a belief shared by capricorn
Founder and CEO Robertino Wild and Zagato President Andrea Michele Zagato as to
what a true driver’s car should stand for. The two men enjoy a long-standing business
relationship and a deep personal friendship, giving the project a special character and
providing a strong foundation to combine German engineering discipline with Italian
design flair.
Production of the capricorn 01 Zagato will be strictly limited to a run of just 19 coupes
as a tribute to Zagato’s founding year, 19th April 1919. This number holds particular
significance for the design house and serves as a nod to its history of creating highly
sought-after, ultra-limited, collectible hypercars. The entire series will be offered
exclusively through prominent premium and luxury automotive retailer Louyet Group.
Leveraging deep expertise in ultra-lightweight high-performance technology
With a heritage dating back to 1933, capricorn is a global leader in five key technologies
with focus on lightweight: composites, forging, machining, casting, and additive
manufacturing. The company has proven its competency at the highest level of world
motorsport, supplying bespoke components for Formula 1, LMP1, World Endurance
Championship (WEC), World Rally Championship (WRC) teams, and others.
For decades, capricorn has helped deliver success for its partners in global motorsport
and in the luxury high-performance automotive OEM sector. While the majority of the
company’s work is confidential, projects in the public domain include collaborations
with Lotus and Caterham in Formula 1, with Peugeot Sport in Le Mans, and significant
involvement in Porsche’s LMP1 program. The company also has a highly successful
history with Volkswagen Motorsport in the WRC and with Peugeot Sport on the Dakar
Rally.
“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.
“The project elevates capricorn to the next level, positioning the group as a
manufacturer that can produce a pre-series car or assemble an entire series for an
OEM, or indeed any customer. It proves that capricorn is capable of managing complex
projects to OEM standards, and it also establishes capricorn as a high-end automotive
manufacturer in its own right.”
More than a century of creating exceptional emotional Italian design
Until now, capricorn may be a name that many automotive enthusiasts may have heard
of, though they will certainly be very familiar with the company’s work, Zagato, however,
is a name that speaks for itself. The company’s president, Andrea Michele Zagato, is the
grandson of the visionary designer and coachbuilder, Ugo Zagato, who founded the
company in 1919.
“Over the past century, we have had the honor of partnering with many iconic car
brands such as Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lancia, Maserati,
Porsche, and more than forty others to design highly exclusive and elegant collectible
limited-edition vehicles,” explains Zagato President, Andrea Michele Zagato.
“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.
And I am also proud that by combining Italian design flair with German engineering
discipline and holding steadfast to the vision that Robertino and I share on what a true
driver’s car should be – we have brought a unique and highly collectible proposition to
the market.”
Stunning beauty designed to stand the test of time
“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. Naturally, it reflects capricorn’s lightweight engineering
values and Zagato’s proud design heritage. Still, more than that, it reflects the vision
and the personalities of the two men who created it, Robertino Wild and Andrea
Michele Zagato,” reveals Norihiko Harada, Chief Designer, Zagato.
“From the start, it was critical that Zagato’s first hypercar should stun people with an
aura of modernity and an intensely avant-garde nature. Andrea was very clear on that
and Robertino was always pushing me to go further and further. This was fantastic as it
gave my team and me complete freedom, which is not always the case with designing a
car for a client.
“Above all, though, the design of the capricorn 01 Zagato had to stand the test of time –
the test of decades, not years. I am confident that it can today sit alongside beautiful
cars from other eras, a 1930s Bugatti or a 1960s Aston Martin, for example, and look
perfectly at home in any collection. And it should still look as good in 40- or 50-years’
time: I believe that we have achieved precisely that.”
Yet another stunning visual dimension is provided by the gullwing doors. To minimize
weight, the side mirrors are mounted on the front fenders, rather than on the doors. No
consideration was given to using cameras as they would have detracted from the purity
of the car’s timeless character.
Intelligently generated downforce delivered without the need for large spoilers
From the very first stages of the design process, Zagato worked in parallel with
capricorn and several external partners, who supplied comprehensive Computational
Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis data to ensure that technical performance was fully
embedded with the emotional, timeless design.
In many ways, these precise technical requirements helped Zagato shape the car’s
visual character, as Harada reveals: “The capricorn 01 Zagato has a lot of air intake and
air outlets, which characterize the vehicle’s overall aesthetic, while providing
aerodynamic and cooling functionality. The most striking is the large air intake at the
rear, behind the driver’s door, where the surface of the door is used to channel air to the
intake. A pin-sharp design line runs over the front fender and along the door before
seeming to ‘disappear’ into the air intake, and then suddenly ‘reappearing’ on the
external surface of the car again to sweep over the rear fender.”
The capricorn 01 Zagato does not need to rely upon a visually ostentatious
aerodynamic package with large wings to generate downforce. Instead of using large
wings, it generates significant, and crucially, consistent levels of downforce passively
through internal airflow management and the design of the underfloor, including the
front and rear diffusers. Additionally, a subtle rear airfoil is seamlessly integrated into
the design, working in conjunction with the diffuser.
“As with our approach to horsepower, the aim was to create a car with usable levels of
downforce that an ordinary driver could access and utilize,” explains Wild. “Our target
was to achieve a 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. This is a car that can also be enjoyed by
regular, skilled drivers, not just racing drivers.
Timeless, minimalistic cabin aesthetic with a complete focus on the driver
The capricorn design team was responsible for creating the car’s cabin. Their mission
was to create a minimalist interior that provides everything required to enhance the
driving experience but is entirely free from distractions. This ‘less is more, but whatever
goes in must be to the highest quality’ philosophy delivers an intensely driver-focused,
timeless cabin that is not over-populated with digital features.
Almost the entire cabin is constructed from carbon fiber. All switchgear and interior
parts are machined from solid titanium and aluminum, with Connolly leather applied to
the seats, complemented by Alcantara throughout the cabin, depending on each
customer’s personal taste and requirement.
The overall cabin ambience and aesthetic are more in keeping with a racing car than a
road car. The pared-back dashboard features competition-inspired switchgear, while
all information is presented to the driver through a three-unit analog instrument cluster.
The centrally mounted rev counter is the largest of the three instruments. The speedometer is mounted on the left-hand side, while the binnacle on the right houses
the fuel, oil temperature, and oil pressure gauges, along with the regulatory warning and
indicator light icons.
The Connolly-leather-covered capricorn-custom-machined three-spoke steering wheel
features the engine start-stop button and driving mode controller, but is refreshingly
free of additional switches.
The fixed-position seats are an integrated part of the safety cell and are equipped with
Schroth four-point safety belts. The seat cushioning is fully adjustable to accommodate drivers of different heights and shapes. In addition to a fully adjustable steering column and pedal box, the car also uniquely features a movable manual gear lever. Mounted on the central tunnel, the gear lever is longitudinally adjustable by 80mm to ensure customers can find their perfect driving position.
The cabin of the capricorn 01 Zagato is exceptionally spacious. It was designed to
accommodate drivers of all shapes and sizes. One of capricorn’s lead engineers is two
meters (6.6 ft) tall, and can sit comfortably inside the car, as can drivers of shorter
stature, due to the high degree of adjustability.
A front-mounted 110-litre trunk provides ample luggage space for two for weekend road
trips. Additional features designed to enhance everyday usability include a four-wheel
lift system and a reversing camera with a discrete digital screen ‘hidden’ within the
central instrument dial.
Performance delivered in a truly visceral and engaging manner
To endow the car with ample performance, and equally importantly, a visceral,
engaging driving experience, capricorn chose a proven Ford V8 as the base engine,
before modifying it extensively using its in-house engineering expertise. The
enhancement process required the development of an entire suite of bespoke key
components and systems. This included a supercharger, dry sump lubrication system,
rotating assembly (comprising crankshaft, conrods, and pistons), air intake, cooling
system, and exhaust. In addition, capricorn also developed its own ECU and mapping
software.
With the capricorn enhancements complete, the engine produces 900+PS (662 kW) and 1,000 Nm of torque, and has a maximum rev limit of 9,000 rpm. Due to capricorn’s decades of expertise in ultra-lightweight materials and construction techniques, the capricorn 01 Zagato weighs less than 1,200 kg (dry weight). Endowed with excellent power-to-weight, the hypercar can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in under 3 seconds
and has a top speed of 360 km/h. “While the car sits at the cutting edge of technology, in many ways it represents a return to traditional pure driving values. 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 high degree of electronic components required to enable the driver to handle such extreme power levels,” explains Wild.
“The capricorn 01 Zagato produces more than 900 PS, so it has significant horsepower,
but the key factor is that this is married with an ultra-lightweight engineering approach.
As a result, the capricorn 01 Zagato is a ‘pure, analog 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.”
A CIMA five-speed dogleg manual gearbox delivers the engine’s power and torque
directly to the rear axle, ensuring a pure, unfiltered driving experience.
“This choice provides a more emotional, immersive, mechanical shifting experience
that allows the driver to really feel and fully experience the rev changes, and the
muscular nature of the engine working through its broad powerband. It is a decision
that deliberately prioritizes driver engagement and passion over the need for more
gears,” affirms Wild.
To ensure exemplary, fade-free stopping power, even during extreme circuit driving, the
capricorn 01 Zagato is equipped with carbon-ceramic discs and six-piston calipers,
sourced from Brembo, paired with a bespoke ABS system. Unique 21-inch wheels,
designed and engineered in-house by capricorn, are offered in a choice of lightweight
alloy or carbon fiber.
Bringing LMP1 carbon fiber technology from the racetrack to the road
Applying its expertise from LMP1 racing, capricorn has built its first road car around a
super-stiff, super-strong all-carbon fiber structure, using the material to form the
monocoque, front and rear subframes, crash members, and all body panels.
The suspension comprises a double wishbone, pushrod system with an anti-roll bar
and spring/damper units from Bilstein front and rear, calibrated for optimum response
and agility. The damper elements offer three driving modes (Comfort, Sport & Track),
which can be selected manually by the driver from the steering wheel controller. A
similar, no-compromise approach has been taken by capricorn’s engineers to the
steering to ensure optimum driving feel, as Wild explains:
“We designed a bespoke electric power-assisted steering system for the car equipped
with a small motor that provides assistance at low speeds but switches off completely
at higher speeds. This gives a direct, purely mechanical connection between the driver,
the wheels and the road.”
The beginning of a new lineage of capricorn-branded high-end cars
Production of the capricorn 01 Zagato will begin in the first half of 2026. The entire
series of 19 coupes will be offered exclusively by Louyet Group. The prominent
premium and luxury automotive retailer is presenting the cars first and foremost to their
circle of longstanding VIP clients and established European car collectors, with whom
Louyet Group maintains trusted relationships. The first sales contracts have been
signed.
The European-homologated capricorn 01 Zagato will be available to customers in the
EU, UK, Switzerland, Japan, Mexico, Canada and the Middle East.
Each capricorn 01 Zagato coupe will be bespoke, with capricorn not only able to match
any exterior body color a customer wishes, but also a range of finishes, including a fully
exposed carbon fiber body or a bespoke carbon fiber weave pattern. Inside, customers
can choose which items they would like trimmed in Connolly leather or Alcantara –
from the steering wheel to the entire cabin.
Each car comes with a two-year warranty and a four-year service plan, both covered by
capricorn. All service and maintenance will be performed exclusively at the company’s
facility in Düsseldorf, Germany. This ensures quality control and allows capricorn to
monitor the cars closely. Almost all spare components are built in-house, ensuring
long-term availability.
“The capricorn 01 Zagato offers collectors an exceptionally rare opportunity. Along with
its exceptional focus on driving, the car also offers a once-in-a-decade opportunity to
be part of the story of a new hypercar brand right at the beginning,” affirms Joachim
Sas, Head of capricorn Sales at Louyet Group.
Throughout 2026, capricorn will expand its Nürburgring production capability to more
than 18,000 square meters with the opening of a third plant. While the capricorn 01
Zagato coupe is limited to 19 units, the company is capable of handling future projects
in batches of 100 to 200 cars per year.
“This project is not a one-off; it is the beginning of a new lineage of capricorn-branded
high-end cars,” confirms Wild. “And in addition, we are also open to taking on limitedseries
contracts for other OEMs and building fully bespoke hypercars for private
clients.”
capricorn 01 Zagato: Technical Specifications
● Engine: 5.2-liter Supercharged V8 (further developed by capricorn, see details in
main text)
● Horsepower: 900+PS (662 kW) (subject to final homologation results)
● Torque: 1,000 Nm
● Max RPM: 9,000 rpm
● Dry Weight: <1,200 kg
● 0-100 km/h: <3 seconds
● Top Speed: 360 km/h
● Transmission: 5-speed Dogleg Manual (CIMA), Rear-wheel-drive
● Chassis & Body: All-Carbon Fiber Monocoque & Subframes
● Suspension: Double Wishbone, Pushrod Bilstein dampers, 4-Wheel Lift System.
Comfort, Sport & Track driving modes, manually selectable from within the cabin
● Brakes: Carbon Ceramic Discs (Brembo)
● Wheels: 21-inch (Front: 9.5-inch width, Rear: 12.5-inch width), choice of
Lightweight Alloy and Carbon Fiber
● Interior Materials: Connolly Leather, Alcantara, milled Titanium, Aluminum,
Carbon Fiber
● Trunk Volume: 110 liters
● Production Run: 19 units
● Price: €2.95 million (pre-tax, ex-works)
● Two-year warranty
● Four-year servicing package
● European homologation (inc. U.K., Switzerland, Japan, Mexico, Canada, Middle
East)
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