Pagani’s nearly 30-year history has yielded only two models. But over time, it is transforming into warmer and warmer variants. Pagani did it with the Zonda, and it did it again with the Huayra and today introduced the looming, groundbreaking Huayra R. The ultimate Huayra may not look different from the non-R version, though it does feature a variety of unique features and parts, including a custom V12 engine.
Pagani gets its engines from Mercedes, which supplies the Italian carmaker with 6.0-liter V12 engines. However, the Huayra R needed something special, so Pagani partnered with HWA AG, Mercedes-Benz’s racing subsidiary, to design and build a custom engine. The result is a powerful mill that delivers 850 horsepower (625 kilowatts) and 750 Newton meters of torque. The power also comes with a screaming lineline of 9,000 rpm, which should have an extremely brutal exhaust note.
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The company claims that the Huayra R will sound like a Formula 1 car of yesteryear. Pagani uses an Inconel exhaust system developed specifically for the R. It features exhaust pipes of the same length for all 12 cylinders, which connect Pagani with uniquely designed manifolds and exhaust pipes. The supercar is only equipped with mufflers that can be equipped to limit the exhaust note within the 110-decibel FIA sound limit for tracks with noise.
Pagani builds the car around a new monocoque chassis of carbon-titanium, which uses the engine and transmission as integral parts to increase stiffness and rigidity. Power trails to the rear wheels through a six-speed non-synchronized sequential gearbox for dogs. A few active air wings at the rear help the car manage its aerodynamics. The car delivers 1000 kilograms of downward power at 320 kilometers per hour. The R weighs only 1,050 kg dry.
Pagani plans to produce just 30 examples of the Huayra R, each costing € 2.6 million ($ 3.1 at current exchange rates), plus tax. The award offers an amazing piece of automotive engineering.
