In a year already brimming with automotive innovation, two European firms—one with a storied past, the other an ambitious rebirth—are making waves in the world of high-performance cars. Italian coachbuilder Zagato and British sports car specialist Zenos are each preparing to unveil new, ultra-limited vehicles that promise to captivate enthusiasts with their blend of craftsmanship, engineering, and pure driving pleasure.
Zagato, a name that has resonated with car collectors and design aficionados for over a century, is collaborating with German engineering powerhouse Capricorn to create a hypercar that’s set to debut at the Zoute Grand Prix in Belgium on October 10, 2025. Meanwhile, across the Channel, Zenos—originally founded in 2012 by former Lotus and Caterham employees—has emerged from bankruptcy to introduce the E10 RZ, a lightweight, minimalist sports car that aims to rekindle Britain’s tradition of driver-focused motoring.
According to Zagato’s official teaser, the joint project with Capricorn will be an ultra-limited hypercar, with only 19 examples slated for production. The car is designed in Italy and hand-built in Germany, a testament to the cross-border collaboration that’s increasingly defining the upper echelons of the auto industry. The vehicle’s analog driving experience is meant to put the driver squarely at the center, a philosophy that’s echoed in both its mechanical layout and its visual drama.
Though details remain tightly under wraps, a short promotional clip has revealed some tantalizing features: an ultra low-slung coupe profile, a wide front intake, pronounced haunches with fender-mounted mirrors, and, perhaps most strikingly, gullwing doors. There’s speculation about whether Zagato’s signature double-bubble roof will make an appearance, but official confirmation is pending. Distribution will run exclusively through the Louyet Group, further emphasizing the car’s exclusivity.
Zagato’s legacy as a coachbuilder stretches back more than 100 years, and its portfolio reads like a who’s who of automotive royalty. The Milanese studio has crafted bespoke bodies for Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Lancia, Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, Bugatti, Bentley, and Rolls-Royce, to name just a few. Recent projects include the Alpine Zagato AGTZ Twin-Tail, the BMW 4 Series Cabriolet-based Bovensiepen, and the Alfa Romeo 8C DoppiaCoda, the latter two making their debut at Villa d’Este in May 2025, as reported by Zagato.
Capricorn, for its part, brings an engineering pedigree honed in the crucible of Formula 1 and Le Mans prototypes. The partnership between Zagato and Capricorn is emblematic of a broader trend among Italian coachbuilders, many of whom are finding new relevance by teaming up with engineering specialists or even building cars under their own banners. Italdesign, for example, is reviving the NSX nameplate, while Bertone (with the GB110), Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera (with the Veloce 12), and Pininfarina (with the Battista) have all launched their own vehicles. Yet, as noted by Zagato, the Milanese firm remains committed to small-volume masterpieces made in collaboration with established marques.
On the other side of Europe, Zenos is staging a comeback that’s equal parts underdog story and celebration of British automotive tradition. The company, which first burst onto the scene in 2012 with the original E10, quickly won fans for its lightweight, high-performance ethos. However, financial difficulties led to bankruptcy within five years. Now, Zenos is back with a vengeance, previewing the new E10 RZ—a 380-horsepower evolution of its original formula.
Production of the E10 RZ is set to begin in early 2026, with fewer than 50 cars to be made in the first year, each carrying a price tag of roughly $188,250 (£140,000). What sets the RZ apart isn’t just its power, but its relentless focus on agility and the so-called “seat of the pants” feel that defined icons like the Lotus Elise. According to Zenos, the RZ is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and weighs just 1,742 pounds (790 kilograms), resulting in an impressive 4.58 pounds per horsepower. The car can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.2 seconds and reach a top speed of around 150 mph, but Zenos insists that outright speed is not the main attraction.
“Our sports car isn’t about top-end speed, but about responsiveness, agility, and that elusive ‘seat of the pants’ feel,” a Zenos spokesperson explained. The E10 RZ sports an extruded-aluminum spine chassis paired with a carbon-fiber tub and full carbon bodywork, ensuring both lightness and rigidity. The fully independent front suspension uses inboard-mounted dampers, while the rear features conventional coil-overs mounted directly to the steel subframe. Most of the car’s mass sits between the axles, and a limited-slip differential helps put power down cleanly during hard cornering.
Inside, the E10 RZ is equally focused. Carbon-fiber bucket seats, custom switchgear, and modern instrumentation create a cockpit that’s as minimal as it is purposeful. Buyers can choose between painted or exposed-weave finishes for the bodywork, highlighting the car’s handmade nature. For those seeking a slightly less extreme experience, Zenos plans to introduce the E10 R2 later in 2026. This model will feature a 2.3-liter turbo engine with 325 horsepower and a lower price point of about $161,400 (£120,000), but will retain the same carbon and aluminum chassis that defines the brand’s approach.
While Zenos has not announced plans to bring the E10 RZ or R2 to the United States, the limited production numbers and focus on the European market suggest that American enthusiasts may have to admire these cars from afar. Still, the return of Zenos underscores a broader movement among boutique manufacturers to offer alternatives to the increasingly digital and automated world of modern performance cars.
Both Zagato’s and Zenos’s latest offerings reflect a renewed emphasis on analog driving experiences—cars that demand engagement, reward skill, and celebrate the tactile joys of motoring. In an era when software and screens are taking over dashboards and driving dynamics, these new vehicles are a reminder that, for some, the thrill of the open road and the connection between car and driver are still at the heart of automotive passion.
As the automotive world awaits the official unveilings—Zagato and Capricorn’s hypercar at the Zoute Grand Prix in October, and Zenos’s E10 RZ in early 2026—one thing is clear: the spirit of craftsmanship, innovation, and pure driving pleasure is alive and well on both sides of the Channel.
