It seems that new supercars and new supercar makers arrive on the scene about as often as new Chinese brands enter the SA new-car market. The list of supercar producers increases by one with the debut of the Garagisti & Co GP1 earlier this week.
This is the first product from a newly launched UK firm called Garagisti & Co. Garagista (plural) is an Italian term that was used to refer to small F1 teams, the likes of which were prominent in the 1950s and ’60s. The company has committed to building just 25 road cars, each customised to the owner’s tastes. Oh, if you are wondering, each will cost about R60m before importing to SA.
Our vision for Garagisti was born from a simple question. What if the golden age of analogue supercars never ended? What if icons like the Countach Evoluzione had sparked a lineage rather than a dead-end? What would the great cars of the ’80s, ’90s and early 2000s look like today if they’d evolved with new technology but kept their analogue soul? “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
– Mario Escudero, co-founder of Garagisti & Co.
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All-new
The Garagisti & Co GP1 is based on a carbon-fibre monocoque sourced from specialists Dexet, which has experience in F1. The tub is draped in a unique look that was penned by Angel Guerra, formerly of Bugatti and Rimac. The shape is heavily influenced by the golden age of wedge design. Echoes of the Lancia Stratos Zero, the Countach, and other Marcello Gandini masterpieces are purely intentional. Beneath the design are motorsport-grade aerodynamics that features one of the largest rear diffusers ever fitted to a road car. As a result it delivers true ground-effect performance.
Garagisti & Co say the GP1’s interior is sculpted for driving purity. The twin-cockpit layout is free from distraction. As a result there is no clutter, no oversized screens and nothing unnecessary. Note how clean the steering wheel design is and how the air vents are subtly integrated into the design of the ‘twin cockpit’ layout.
V12 Power
The most interesting aspect, for many, will be the engine fitted in newcomer. The GP1 boasts a bespoke naturally aspirated V12. This engine was developed by Italtecnica a renowned Italian motorsport and powertrain company. The 6,6-litre unit can rev to 9 000 r/min. As a result it produces just shy of 590 kW (800 hp) and more than 700 N.m of torque. A six-speed manual transmission sends power to the rear wheels only. No performance claims have been made for the Garagisti & Co GP1 but it is claimed to weigh under 1 000 kg, which should make for an entertaining drive.