The Monster Hypercar That Porsche and Ferrari Owners Envy: The 900HP Analog Beast Is Here!

Rediscovering the Pure Joy of Driving: The Capricorn 01 Zagato Hypercar Review

The Capricorn 01 Zagato

A Powerful Heart: The 900HP V8 Engine and Manual Transmission
Engineering Mastery: Lightweight Carbon Fiber and Racing DNA
The Zagato Design Philosophy: Timeless Elegance Reimagined
Exclusive Rarity: Only 19 Units Worldwide
The Driving Experience: Raw, Unfiltered Connection
Why This Hypercar Challenges the EV and ADAS Era
Conclusion: A Last Stand for Driving Purity

1. Introduction: The Analog Comeback in a Digital World

In an automotive marketplace dominated by electric vehicles, automatic transmissions, and high-tech driving aids, a rare breed dares to go against the grain. The Capricorn 01 Zagato is a hypercar deliberately designed to revive pure driving pleasure. Created through the collaboration between Germany’s motorsport innovator Capricorn and Italy’s legendary design house Zagato, this car embodies a return to human control over machine. Far beyond a mere nostalgia act, it delivers a visceral, analog connection between driver and road—a sensation quickly fading in the modern era.

The Capricorn 01 Zagato is a hypercar deliberately designed to revive pure driving pleasure

2. A Powerful Heart: The 900HP V8 Engine and Manual Transmission

At the core of the Capricorn 01 Zagato roars a mighty 5.2-liter supercharged V8 engine sourced from Ford, pumping out a staggering 900+ horsepower. This raw power, packed into a tightly engineered 1200kg carbon fiber chassis, launches the car from 0 to 100 km/h in under 3 seconds.
Unlike most modern hypercars that rely on dual-clutch automatics or seamless paddle shifters, this car sports a 5-speed dog-leg manual gearbox—a bold choice in 2025. The transmission’s fast, precise, and intentionally tactile shifts bring back the satisfying mechanical engagement that many believe is lost in today’s tech-heavy environment. This setup demands a skilled driver and rewards with unparalleled control and excitement.

3. Engineering Mastery: Lightweight Carbon Fiber and Racing DNA

The Capricorn 01 Zagato’s chassis and body are built almost entirely from carbon fiber, which slashes weight and boosts rigidity. This not only results in blistering performance but also enhances the car’s responsiveness and agility on winding roads or the racetrack.
Electrical driving aids are minimal by design: the steering system has electronic assist only at low speeds, shutting off during aggressive driving to allow the driver to feel every nuance of the road beneath the tires. High-performance Brembo six-piston calipers paired with carbon-ceramic brakes provide immense stopping power but still leave a margin for driver input rather than full electronic intervention. Every element here prioritizes the driver’s raw, physical connection with the car.

4. The Zagato Design Philosophy: Timeless Elegance Reimagined

Zagato’s design on the Capricorn 01 reflects its commitment to “beauty that endures through time.”
Gone are giant spoilers or futuristic cameras replacing mirrors—this car proudly sports classic side mirrors and uses aerodynamic ground effects to create downforce unseen on most modern hypercars.
The sleek, elegant curves combine classic style with subtle aerodynamic function, aiming for a design that won’t feel outdated even 50 years from now.
Inside, the cabin is an homage to drivers: giant analog tachometers, fixed racing seats, and fully adjustable pedal boxes and gear levers allow each driver to find the perfect driving position. Minimalistic yet functional controls emphasize cleanliness and focus, exemplified by crisp Gull-wing doors and a steering wheel-mounted mode dial.

giant analog tachometers, fixed racing seats, and fully adjustable pedal boxes and gear levers allow each driver to find the perfect driving position

5. Exclusive Rarity: Only 19 Units Worldwide

The Capricorn 01 Zagato is no mass-market vehicle. Limited to just 19 cars globally, each priced at around 2.95 million euros (approximately 4.8 billion KRW), it is designed as a collector’s dream and driver’s heaven.
It has received full road certification in Europe, including the UK, allowing owners to responsibly enjoy its full potential on public roads rather than restrict it to private tracks or museums. This exclusive availability further fuels its mystique and desirability among hypercar enthusiasts worldwide.
In the context of rising electric and semi-autonomous car dominance, this rarity bolsters its identity as a timeless icon of driver-focused machinery.

6. The Driving Experience: Raw, Unfiltered Connection

Stepping into the Capricorn 01 Zagato is like stepping back into an era where driving was an elevated art form. The absence of automatic aids transforms every turn, shift, and acceleration into an immersive dance between human and machine.
The manual gearbox demands precision and focus, making every gearshift a tactile achievement. The engine’s roar is mechanical poetry, its supercharged V8 breathes life directly under the driver’s hands, making acceleration feel immediate and personal.
The minimal electronic interference means road imperfections and tire grip translate honestly into the cabin, enhancing the pure sensory driving experience. This is not a car for the passive passenger but for the engaged, passionate driver seeking something beyond just speed.

The manual gearbox demands precision and focus, making every gearshift a tactile achievement

7. Why This Hypercar Challenges the EV and ADAS Era

While electric vehicles and autonomous driver assistance systems promise futuristic convenience and efficiency, the Capricorn 01 Zagato stands as a counterpoint invoking emotion and skill. It is a deliberate, conscious choice to preserve the joy and challenge of intimate car control.
This hypercar reminds us of the craftsmanship and human devotion behind driving machines—a message to the industry that technology should complement, not replace, driver involvement.
For purists and collectors, it represents the last bastion of analog sportscar culture amidst a rapidly digitalizing environment.

8. Conclusion: A Last Stand for Driving Purity

The Capricorn 01 Zagato is more than just a high-performance hypercar: it is a symbolic revival of driving at its most elemental and exhilarating. Its meticulous engineering, classic design cues, and deliberate return to manual transmissions deliver a raw, authentic experience rare in today’s automotive landscape.
For enthusiasts who cherish connection over convenience, driver skill over automation, this car offers a compelling and beautiful challenge—one that keeps the soul of driving alive amid the advancing march of technology.

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