Car of the Day - Pagani Zonda R

Car of the Day - Pagani Zonda R

Pagani is winding up production of the Zonda in September of this year (2010), although Horacio Pagani will apparently continue to produce special one-off orders from any valued customer that has a special need to fulfill for an additional three years. It is one of those special customers we can thank for the existence of the Zonda R. Reportedly an Italian-American owner of three Zonda’s wanted a weekend track car, but not to race. Yeah I don’t get it either - but to quote him, “The thought has been on my mind for quite some time, but I am not interested in racing”.

Anyway, the brief back in 2006 was to build the ultimate track car without the impediments of rules, except for safety and no compromise was allowed. By September the first drawings were produced and support was gained from Mercedes-AMG for the supply of an engine based that in the CLK GTR. From that engine the Zonda R gets the basic architecture including the dry sump. The unit produces 750 hp at 8000 rpm and 710 Nm of torque .

Only 10% of the Zonda F parts are used for the R, which gets unique suspension forged in Avional, a new Pagani six speed transversal sequential gearbox, extended wheelbase carbon fibre monocoque and aeronautical four pump fuel tank. Besides the 47mm extension to the wheelbase, length also increases by 394 mm and the track is 50mm wider. The monocoque also gets a roll cage and completely new front and rear subframes to support the new suspension, produced in avional. Added to the extra stability offered by the longer wheelbase the R gets new aerodynamic bodywork that provides a considerable increase to downforce. There is a longer front bonnet with flaps, enclosed underbody and extended rear overhang with the adjustable rear wing and diffusor

While built for the track, as is the case with all Paginis the car is an engineering work of art and one owner apparently intends to treat his as just that, keeping his in his living room. That particular example will feature a purpose designed sound system to allow the owner to listen to the sound of the R at Le Mans and the Nürburgring. Yeah, again I don’t get - if I could afford it I’d simply take it to the ‘ring and listen to the real thing - while I was driving it. The race style interior is designed for two occupants and gets a Digitek instrumentation set that provides comprehensive telemetry including downforce that the car is generating. The R also gets special magnesium forged rims with central wheel nut which can be changed with the quick pneumatic lifting system.


Rod Halligan