Pagani Automobili, like other Italian supercar manufacturers, is based near Modena. Walking in the factory in San Cesario sul Panaro, you’ll be greeted by this magnificent display.
Pagani Zonda HP Barchetta – the last production model of the Zonda family of supercars, which extended for nearly 20 years. Long since the Huayra (Zonda’s successor) was sold out, Pagani created another iteration of its first supercar.
It’s the most powerful and exclusive Zonda by Pagani. Just three HP Barchetta were produced in 2017. The one you see on the turntable is Horacio Pagani’s personal one – a gift from the company for his 60th birthday. The other two cost $15 million each.
Unique to this car is the open top Barchetta body. Also, this is the first Pagani vehicle to use the rear wheel covers, inspired by the classic Group C race cars.
The front end received a new splitter and hood intakes.
Behind the driver’s seat, a ram intake supplies the engine with clean air. It’s a naturally aspirated, 7.3-liter V12 produced by Mercedes-AMG. With 790 hp and 627 lb-ft on tap and a top speed of 221 mph, it’s the fastest and most powerful Zonda ever made.
The construction is a careful blend of materials – each contributing its mechanical properties where they are required:
- The central monocoque is made from Pagani’s proprietary Carbo-Triax HP52 material – a carbo-titanium composite – lighter and stronger than carbon-fiber while offering excellent stiffness.
- Steel has high tensile strength needed for the subframes carrying the drive train and suspension.
- The double wishbone suspension is made from aero-grade aluminum-copper alloy called Avional – tough, resistant to cracking and light, reducing unsprung weight.
Finally, everything is wrapped in a sculpture of carbon-fiber body panels in clear and tinted variants, clear-coated and polished to perfection.
The dry weight is 2,755 lbs for a power to weight ratio of 3.48 lbs/hp. Putting this power to the ground is a set of special Pirelli P Zero Corsa HP tires – developed specifically for Pagani.
Pagani Zonda HP Barchetta is no less an artwork than a product of engineering. It’s a timeless design, despite the first Zonda being 20-years old now.