A new British start-up is unveiling its vision of a dream hypercar. Two things matter: a V12 and a manual gearbox. Meet the “virtual” Garagisti & Co. GP1.
Production is limited to 12 units
Power comes from a 6.6-litre V12
Base price is $3.3 million USD (about $4.55 million CAD)
In an era where the hum of electric motors has largely replaced the roar of combustion, the high-performance car market has shifted toward silent speed. For many affluent buyers, that hush is part of the appeal, instant torque, blistering acceleration, all without waking the neighbours. Yet for some purists, silence is a compromise, not a virtue. Roaring sound makes the trill.
Garagisti & Co GP1Enter Garagisti & Co., a young start-up that is decidedly swimming against the current. Its first creation, the GP1, isn’t just a throwback—it’s a manifesto. It can be summed up in two unapologetic words: V12 and manual. For now, the GP1 exists in the final stages of virtual development, but according to its makers, reality is just around the corner.
An Ode to the Purist
The GP1 is designed for those who believe driving is as much an art as it is a means of transportation. Built around a naturally aspirated V-12 engine, rear-wheel drive, and a manual gearbox, it’s the kind of machine rarely seen in today’s world of hybrids and EVs. “A car built purely for the joy of unfiltered driving,” says the company. Judging by the technical details, they aren’t exaggerating.
Garagisti & Co GP1At the heart of the GP1 lies an all-new, 6.6-litre naturally aspirated V-12, crafted by Italtecnica, a highly regarded Italian motorsport engineering firm. The numbers are arresting: 800 horsepower at 9,000 rpm, and more than 516 lb.-ft. of torque. There are no turbochargers, no hybrid assist, and absolutely no electric motors—just a raw, mechanical powerplant that demands to be heard.
The Transmission as a Statement
All that power is channelled to the rear wheels through a longitudinally mounted, six-speed Xtrac manual gearbox. This is no token gesture to nostalgia, it’s a precision-built unit “that offers unparalleled tactility and engagement,” says Garagisti & Co. At just 1,000 kilograms (2,204 pounds), the GP1 is also remarkably light by modern supercar standards, which should make its performance every bit as dramatic as its specifications suggest.
The chassis and braking systems draw on some of the most respected names in the business: Brembo for stopping power, Öhlins for suspension mastery, and a roster of motorsport suppliers with proven expertise not only in high-performance road cars but also in professional racing.
Garagisti & Co GP1Design with Pedigree
Garagisti describes the GP1 as “a celebration of form, blending cues from the golden age of wedge design.” The man responsible for those forms is Angel Guerra, a designer with experience at Bugatti and Rimac. His work draws heavily from iconic figures like the late maestro in design, Marcello Gandini. The GP1’s sharp creases and dramatic profile nod to its classics, while also incorporating influences from Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, McLaren, Ferrari, and Alfa Romeo.
The aerodynamics are as functional as they are striking. One of the most eye-catching elements is what could be one of the largest rear diffusers ever fitted to a road car. Above it, four exhaust pipes stand proud, framed by X-shaped LED taillights that are instantly recognizable. Every surface and edge appears honed for both beauty and performance.
Garagisti & Co GP1Minimalism Inside
The interior follows the same purist philosophy. There are no sprawling infotainment screens or touch-sensitive gimmicks, just essential controls, laid out exactly where the driver expects them. A prominent central tunnel houses physical switches and, of course, a traditional gear lever. “Everything is exactly where it should be,” the company insists. Guerra’s guiding principle here is as clear as the car’s mission: “Just you, the car, and the road ahead.”
Exclusivity at a Price
Garagisti & Co. plans to build just 25 examples of the GP1. Each will start at approximately $3.3 million USD, about $4.55 million CAD, before taxes, shipping, and bespoke customization. The figure alone ensures this car will remain an object of desire for a very small circle of enthusiasts.
Garagisti & Co GP1Adding to the allure, the first 12 buyers will be invited into Garagisti’s exclusive Open Doors program. This experience offers unprecedented access to the people and processes behind the GP1, from meeting the engineers and designers to witnessing the car’s construction up close.
A Rebellion in Metal
The GP1 may soon move from renderings to reality, but its ethos is already clear. For those who have the means, and the passion, it promises an experience as rare as the machine itself. As the company puts it, this is a car “built purely for the joy of unfiltered driving.” For the faithful, that alone is priceless.
