For some people, a Pagani Zonda F (the cars in my header) is not enough. They want more than a mere 604HP and 215MPH top speed. That was the case of an Italo-American customer of Pagani Automobili. The enthusiast already owns three Zondas (which happens to be 20% of Pagani’s annual production run of 15 cars) but wanted something faster. Mr. Pagani is a man who likes to look after his customers. He went to work on the new a Zonda and unveiled the drawings at the 2007 Geneva Auto Show, which opens today.
The R in Zonda R stands for Racing. A funny term considering this Zonda makes no concession to any racing regulation or governmental constriction of any sort. The R shows just how much higher the performance bar can be raised when you throw out the rulebook.
The Zonda R is born with full liberty. The target: the ultimate performance at the racetrack without any implications of rules, except for safety, where no compromise is allowed. In September 2006 the first drawings were ready, but it was crucial to have the support of Mercedes-AMG for a high revving engine with a power output of 750 bhp, dry sump, light and with a low center of gravity. The basis was the self supporting engine of the mighty CLK GTR, which has dominated the GT championships.
The Zonda R is a car designed from scratch, with only 10% of the Zonda F components to be carried over. The suspension forged in Avional, a new Pagani six speed transversal sequential gearbox, carbon-fiber monocoque, aeronautical four pump fuel tank are only part of the equation. The engine can cover 3,100 miles before it needs servicing. I guess that’s considered reliable for a Supercar.
Want one? Then prepare to pony up $1.2 to $1.6 million plus taxes (the exact price hasn’t been decided yet) for this track day monster. The first one has already been spoken for. However, it will never see a racetrack. The new owner plans to keep it in his living room.
