Pagani Zonda R: Italian Passion

Motoring Channel Staff - 19/January/2009

Modena, Italy — Times may be tough, but exotic cars never go out of style.

The entire run of the Zonda R's predecessor, the Pagani Zonda F, were built and sold in record time and the new Zonda R is expected to follow suit.

Having finally been launched, almost 18 months after being announced, the Pagani Zonda R has emerged. And a word of warning - it's not for the shy driver.

Powered by a 6.0-litre mid-mounted V12 engine, built by Mercedes-performance partner AMG, the Pagani Zonda R carries over only 10% of the parts used on the Zonda F model.

It's also go power to burn:

Power: 551kW (750hp) @ 8000rpm
Torque: 710Nm @ N/A (5500rpm?)

Outputting more than 500 kilowatts of power, the V12 engine (codenamed M120) has a 60° vee angle, is naturally aspirated and features mechanically operated throttle bodies. 

Ensuring petrol makes its way to the engine from the fuel tank at up to 1.5 Gs, four aeronautical fuel pumps are used, highlighting this cars one-eyed focus on performance.

At present Pagani has plans to build just a handful of these extra special race track cars for individual customers, who will have to fork out more than US$1.5 million to own one.

It's also a mad-looking vehicle, with more in common with a Le Mans racecar than anything else. Check out the huge carbon rear wing, the numerous air inlets, ducts, and snorkels (for brake/engine cooling etc) and the ultra-low front lip spoiler and an extended rear diffuser give it the unmistakable look of a race track toy.

Pagani hasn't released the official weight of the car, nor the performance figures, but it is expected to be ultra-light thanks to the carbon fibre body shell and titanium components.

The Italian car builder will probably be eyeing figures of under 4.0 seconds for the zero to 100km/h sprint, and a top speed of around 330km/h at full tilt in sixth gear.

That would put the Pagani Zonda R in exclusive company, up there with the world's fastest super cars such as the Ferrari Enzo and Lamborghini Murcielago.

Changing gears is taken care of by a "6 speed transversal manual sequential synchronised gearbox is designed to satisfy the most ambitious drivers," says the official Zonda press release.

Speaking of which, here's some excerpts from the Zonda R's media statement:

"While we certainly cannot say the Zonda F lacks performance figures, driving around the Nürburgring in 7:27:82 and achieving lateral G forces of almost 1.5 G, it is however a road car, easy to drive, intuitive and setting the benchmark for comfort, safety and lightweight."

"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 750hp, dry sump, light and with a low centre of gravity. The basis was the self supporting engine of the mighty CLK GTR, which has dominated the GT championships."

"Even at constant racing pace the engine would have to cover over 5.000 km before servicing. The challenge has been accepted without hesitation."

"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 fibre monocoque, aeronautical four pump fuel tank are only part of the equation."

"The wheelbase has grown by 47mm, the overall length by 394mm and the track is increased by 50mm. The bodywork and aerodynamics have been studied to offer maximum downforce. Even though built for the track, the project would not have received kick off, if the quality and finish of the car and its details was not up to the level of the Pagani road cars."

Technical Specifications

This Zonda is purpose made for track use, without restrictions of any competition rules or homologation, with the only exclusion of the passengers' integrity, where no compromise is tolerated according to our philosophy and state-of-the-art safety measures are featured.

A new heart: The engine is built by the racing specialists at Mercedes AMG, where the championship winning DTM cars are born, as well as the CLK GTR, probably the most devastating and effective weapon ever to compete in the GT series. From it's engine the Zonda R borrows the basic architecture including an ingenious dry sump allowing a low centre of gravity. This self-supporting engine with 750 hp at 8000 rpm and 710 Nm of torque carries a lightweight carbon fibre high- performance intake system, a racing multiple disc sintered clutch and Formula 1 style exhaust system, hydroformed in Inconel 625 and ceramic coated for optimal heat dissipation. The power unit combined with a 6 speed transversal manual sequential synchronised gearbox is designed to satisfy the most ambitious drivers.

The chassis: The central carbon chassis will incorporate a roll cage and a rubber racing fuel tank with 4 fuel pumps and quick refuel filler like on GT race cars. The wheelbase has been increased by 47mm to offer the best stability. The front and rear subframes are brand-new, built to accommodate a new suspension geometry, produced in avional. The magnesium forged rims with central wheel nut and a quick pneumatic lifting system allows fast and effortless changes of the slick tyres.

Bodywork and aerodynamics: The new bodywork has been honed to offer elevated downforce even in low speed corners. The longer front bonnet with flaps, closed underbody and the rear overhang with the adjustable rear wing and race derived diffusor translate into shattering aerodynamic efficiency and will let you experience cornering speeds beyond imagination.

The car displays and logs information about the amount of downforce that the car is generating at each moment. Combined with the adjustable wings you can easily find the best setup for each track.

Workstation: The interior is designed to accommodate the driver and passenger in bespoke seats, built to offer the best support, when the G-forces from the vehicle dynamics come into question. The Digitek instrumentation provides the essential information and a sophisticated telemetry allows through a variety of sensors to monitor every single component of the car.

Technical Specifications:
- Type V12 - M120
- V - angle 60°
- Displacement 5987cc
- Stroke 80,20 mm
- Bore 89,00 mm
- Valves per cylinder 4
- Horse Power 750
- Power output 551 KW at 7.500 1/min
- Torque output 710 Nm
- Aspiration Single throttle bodies, mechanically
- operated
- Lubrification Dry sump with separate oil tank

Related Links:
- Pagani Zonda R (2008)
- Pagani Zonda Roadster F (2006)
- Pagani Zonda C12-S 7.3 (2002)
- Pagani Zonda C12 (2001)