Garagisti GP1: New V12 Hypercar Promises Analog Thrills
A thrilling new V12 hypercar has arrived, crafted by a designer who once worked for Bugatti.
While electric cars have demonstrated impressive speed, many buyers in the exclusive world of bespoke hypercars still crave the power of a massive V12 engine. These aren’t everyday drivers seeking the fuel economy of a Toyota Prius—they’re passionate enthusiasts drawn to the raw emotion, roar, and spectacle that only a V12 can deliver.
Many of these buyers might use an electric vehicle during the week, but when the weekend arrives and they’re ready to enjoy their favorite drives, they yearn for the raw experience of an internal-combustion engine paired with the hands-on engagement of a manual transmission. This is exactly the kind of demand that the new British automaker Garagisti & Co. is targeting with its debut hypercar: the GP1. Alongside competitors like the Nilu hypercar and De Tomaso’s P72, the GP1 makes a daring analog statement in today’s increasingly digital automotive landscape.
Ex-Bugatti Designer Behind the Wheel
The sleek and seductive design of the GP1 comes from a team led by Ángel Guerra, a former designer with experience at Bugatti and Rimac, including work on the latest Bugatti Tourbillon hypercar. The car’s styling feels both modern and nostalgic: its front end echoes the Pininfarina Battista electric hypercar, while the rear unmistakably channels classic Lamborghini influences, especially the iconic Countach.
That design inspiration is deliberate. Garagisti founder Mario Escudero owns a Countach 25th Anniversary edition finished in the very same shade of orange originally used on the Miura. Remarkably, only two Countachs are thought to have rolled off the factory line in that distinctive color.
According to Escudero, the GP1 embodies an evolution of what legendary supercars like the Countach could have become if they had integrated modern technology while remaining purely analog for future generations.
V12? Check. Manual Transmission? Check.
The GP1 is built on a carbon-fiber monocoque chassis and features lightweight materials throughout its body. It boasts a claimed dry weight of only 2,204 pounds—roughly the same as a Mazda MX-5 Miata. A major contributor to this low weight is its minimalist interior, designed solely with driving in mind. Don’t expect to find an infotainment screen inside the GP1.
Powering the GP1 is a 6.6-liter naturally aspirated V12 paired with a 6-speed manual transmission from Xtrac. This engine delivers a potent 800 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, revving beyond 9,000 rpm. With no turbochargers or hybrid assistance, it offers pure, high-revving performance sent solely to the rear wheels. The engine is developed by Italtecnica Engineering, while the chassis is engineered by DEXET Technologies. Notable suppliers also include Brembo for braking and Öhlins for suspension components.
| Garagisti & Co. GP1 Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Engine | 6.6-liter naturally aspirated V12 |
| Power | 800 hp @ 9,000 rpm |
| Torque | 516 lb-ft |
| Transmission | Xtrac 6-speed manual |
| Dry Weight | Under 2,204 lbs |
| Price | ~$3.3 million |
Garagisti, a name inspired by the Italian term for the small independent teams of early Formula 1 racing, plans to produce just 25 units of the GP1 and is already taking reservations. The base price starts at £2.45 million (around $3.2 million), with the final cost varying significantly based on the extensive customization options Garagisti will provide. Production will be based in the UK, although an official launch date has yet to be revealed.
Development is still underway, and at this stage, the GP1 exists solely as a digital rendering. Additional details will be unveiled as the launch of the first physical model approaches.
