Capricorn 01 Zagato Prototype Brings a 900 HP Ford V8 and Manual Gearbox Back to Hypercars

Custom Capricorn 01 Zagato Prototype

This Custom Capricorn 01 Zagato Prototype Packs a 900 HP Ford V8

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Italian design house Zagato has finally stepped into the hypercar world, and it did not start small. The new Capricorn 01 Zagato Tutto Rosso prototype brings together old school driving feel, lightweight engineering, and a massive supercharged Ford V8. Only 19 production cars are planned, but this red themed prototype sits outside that limited run.

The car will officially debut at the famous Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on the shores of Lake Como in Italy. And yes, someone already owns this exact prototype.

Custom Capricorn 01 Zagato Prototype
Custom Capricorn 01 Zagato Prototype

A Hypercar Built Around Driving Feel

Modern hypercars often chase electric power, complicated hybrid systems, and endless screens. The Capricorn 01 Zagato goes in the opposite direction. It focuses on mechanical engagement.

At the center sits a supercharged 5.2 liter Ford V8 that revs all the way to 9,000 rpm. Capricorn claims the engine produces more than 900 horsepower. Power goes to the wheels through a dogleg five speed manual gearbox.

That alone makes this car stand out in today’s market.

The setup puts the 01 Zagato in the same conversation as machines like the Gordon Murray T.50 and the Koenigsegg Jesko. These cars focus heavily on driver involvement instead of just headline speed numbers.

Capricorn also says the car weighs only 2,647 pounds dry. That is extremely light for a modern hypercar with a large V8 engine.

Carbon Fiber Everywhere

Light weight comes from heavy carbon fiber use throughout the car.

Capricorn uses carbon fiber for:

  • The chassis tub
  • Exterior body panels
  • Large parts of the interior
  • Structural components

The Tutto Rosso prototype takes things even further. “Tutto Rosso” means “all red” in Italian, and the owner clearly took that seriously.

According to Capricorn, 95 percent of the visible surfaces on the car are finished in red. Even the exposed carbon fiber carries a red tint. The exterior, cabin, and detailing all follow the same theme.

It is bold, slightly excessive, and honestly fits the personality of the car perfectly.

Production Limited to Just 19 Cars

Capricorn plans to build only 19 production examples of the 01 Zagato. This prototype does not count toward that number because the company still classifies it as a development car.

That level of exclusivity comes at a serious cost.

SpecificationCapricorn 01 Zagato
EngineSupercharged 5.2 liter Ford V8
Power900+ hp
TransmissionDogleg 5 speed manual
Dry Weight2,647 pounds
Production Run19 units
Base Price$3.344 million

The reported base price starts at around $3.344 million before custom options.

Not Coming Officially to the U.S.

The Capricorn 01 Zagato has EU homologation, but the company has not approved the car for the U.S. market.

That does not completely stop wealthy collectors from importing one. Special exemptions like the Show and Display rule could make limited registration possible in America. Still, this is clearly a car aimed at European collectors with large garages and probably an apartment somewhere in Monaco.

Why This Hypercar Feels Different

The numbers are impressive, but the real story here is the philosophy behind the car.

A lightweight chassis. A high revving V8. A manual gearbox. Minimal production numbers. No oversized screens or complicated hybrid systems.

The Capricorn 01 Zagato feels more like a mechanical artwork than a technology showcase. In a market full of silent electric hypercars, that alone makes it interesting.

Sources and References

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Capricorn 01 Zagato FAQ

Everything You Need to Know About the Capricorn 01 Zagato

What is the Capricorn 01 Zagato?

The Capricorn 01 Zagato is a limited production hypercar designed with a strong focus on mechanical driving feel. It combines a lightweight carbon fiber structure with a supercharged V8 and a manual transmission.

How much horsepower does the Capricorn 01 Zagato make?

Capricorn claims the supercharged 5.2 liter Ford V8 produces more than 900 horsepower and revs up to 9,000 rpm.

Does the Capricorn 01 Zagato have a manual gearbox?

Yes. The hypercar uses a dogleg five speed manual transmission, which is rare in today’s hypercar market.

How many Capricorn 01 Zagato models will be produced?

Capricorn plans to build only 19 production units. The Tutto Rosso prototype is separate from that production run.

How much does the Capricorn 01 Zagato cost?

The reported starting price is around $3.344 million before personalization and custom options.

What makes the Tutto Rosso prototype unique?

The Tutto Rosso prototype features an almost fully red themed design. Capricorn says 95 percent of the visible surfaces are finished in red, including the tinted carbon fiber details.

Is the Capricorn 01 Zagato coming to the U.S. market?

No official U.S. homologation has been confirmed. The car is currently approved for the European market only.

Why is the Capricorn 01 Zagato different from other hypercars?

Instead of relying on hybrid systems and oversized digital displays, the 01 Zagato focuses on lightweight engineering, analog driving feel, and a traditional high revving V8 experience.

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