A new British marque, Garagisti & Co., has unveiled an audacious supercar concept aimed squarely at nostalgists: a 6.6-liter, naturally aspirated V12 paired with a six-speed manual transmission in a package targeting roughly one metric ton curb weight.
The model, called the GP1, debuted Friday as a design study, with the company positioning it as a modern answer to the analog greats of the 1980s through early 2000s. The firm says the bespoke V-12 is rated at 789 brake horsepower and drives the rear wheels through a traditional manual gearbox—an increasingly rare specification in a sector dominated by dual-clutch transmissions and electrified assistance.
12 Secret Products Serious Collectors Swear By
At a claimed 1,000 kilograms (about 2,200 pounds), the GP1 would boast a power-to-weight figure of nearly 790 bhp per metric ton. Garagisti & Co. has not released performance metrics such as 0–60 mph or top speed, but on paper the output-to-mass ratio suggests supercar-class acceleration. The company says the cabin and structure emphasize lightness, including a carbon-fiber monocoque, sparse trim and minimal driver interfaces.
“What if the golden age of analogue supercars never ended?” company president Marco Escudero said in remarks accompanying the reveal. “We brought together some of the best minds in the world and answered that question with our hands, our hearts, and our passion. The GP1 is our answer.”
Daily Driven Collectibles: The Best Upgrades That Don’t Hurt Resale
Visually, the GP1 leans into classic low-slung proportions and familiar Italianate cues—enough that observers may mistake it at a glance for a product from far older nameplates. The firm says customers would be able to tailor liveries and finishes extensively.
For now, however, the GP1 exists as renderings and early engineering targets. Garagisti & Co. plans a run of just 25 cars priced just under $4 million each, with build slots and final specifications contingent on customer commitments. No powertrain supplier, emissions compliance plan or homologation pathway has been publicly detailed.
The announcement lands amid a split in the high-end market. Established brands are pushing hybrid or full-electric flagships, while a handful of boutique efforts are chasing purist appeal with manual gearboxes and naturally aspirated engines. If realized, the GP1 would be one of very few modern V-12s available with a clutch pedal.
Skeptics note that translating a lightweight, high-output brief into a road-legal product is a complex—and costly—undertaking. Rear-drive dynamics at this power level can also demand significant development time to reconcile performance with approachability. Garagisti & Co. counters that its minimalist interior, carbon structure and manual transmission are deliberate choices to remove complexity and return focus to driver involvement.
The company has not disclosed a prototype timeline, testing program or delivery window. Prospective buyers are being courted with the promise of deep customization and a car positioned as both track-capable and road-legal.
Whether the GP1 joins the small modern pantheon of manual-V-12 exotics will likely hinge on how many collectors sign on to finance the leap from screen to shop floor. For enthusiasts pining for the “analog soul” of another era, Garagisti & Co. is betting that the formula still resonates—at a price.
Comments