2009 Pagani Zonda R

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. Paired with a quality finish and the attention to detail this made the Zonda F one of the most desirable supercars resulting in the 25 Coupé models being sold out in record time.

This did not seem to fulfil the requirements of our most demanding customers, who adore the weekend drive on a racetrack.

The spark has been set by an Italo-American customer, enthusiast and already proud owner of 3 Zondas. He describes the project this way: 'The thought has been on my mind for quite some time, but I am not interested in racing'.

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.

Eve 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.

One of the first cars to be delivered however will be kept in a living room, designed by Pagani and built with the same materials as the Zonda F, beautifully textured carbon fibre, avional, titanium, inconel and other state of the art materials. Additionally it will feature a bespoke HiFi System that will allow the customer to listen to the sound of this car at Le Mans and the Nürburgring.

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 dowforce 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.

by Pagani

Designed and built by Horacio Pagani, a former mechanic at Lamborghini, the Zonda featured speed and stylish design that has made it a true exotic car. Though it doesn't have as long a history of sports cars, much like Lamborghini and Ferrari, the Zonda Cinque was priced around $1,240,000 according to www.Supercars.org. A mid-engined sports car, the Zonda was produced by Pagani in Italy and debuted in 1999. The Zonda still continues to be produced and its production is around 10 cars per year. By June 2009, 10 Zondas had been built, considering also test mules.

Several different models of the Pagani Zonda were constructed; Zonda, Zonda F, Zonda F Clubsport, Zonda Roadster, Zonda Roadster F, Zonra R and Zonda Cinque. Construction is mainly of carbon fiber and both 2-seat coupe and convertible versions have been produced. Much of the early Zonda engineering was done by Formula One champion Juan Manuel Fangio, and this car was initially named after him, the 'Fangio FI'. Following his death in 1995 it was renamed after an air current above Argentina.

Unveiled at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show was the Zonda C12. The C12 was produced until 2002 and was powered by a model 190.3344L 5,987 cc Mercedes-Benz M120 V12 engine that could achieve a speed of 210 mph. The engine produces 408 PS at 5,200 rpm and 421 lb/ft at 3,800 rpm. Only five of the initial 6.0 L Zondas were constructed, though it was still available in 2002 when the C12 S debuted.

One model was used for crash testing, another was a demonstrator and one was a show car. The final models were delivered to customers over the following three years and were priced at $320,000. The C12 could hit 0-60mph in just 4.2 seconds and it hit 100 mph in just 8.2 seconds. The car could brake from 60 mph in 110 feet and lateral acceleration on the skidpad was 0.93 g. The C12 could accelerate through the quarter mile at 12.1 seconds at 124 mph.

In 2000 the Zonda C12 S was debuted and it was produced from 2001 until 2002. Featuring an elongated nose, new light clusters and exhausts, the C12 S had flaps at the rear for improved aerodynamics. The C12 S utilized a 7,010 cc AMG-tuned version of the engine producing 550 PS. The C12 S can accelerate to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds and can reach 100 mph in just 7.5 seconds and complete the quarter mile in 11.3 seconds at 131 mph. The vehicle had lateral acceleration on the skidpad at 1.18 g and the car is 10 kilograms lighter than the normal Zonda C12. It had a top speed of 220 mph and carries a price tag of $350,000. Only 15 7.0 L C12 S vehicles were ever produced.

Unveiled in 2002, the Zonda C12 S 7.3 was produced until 2005 with a total of 17 units produced. Using one of the largest V12 engines ever made, the engine was designed and manufactured by Mercedes-Benz AMG, traction control was added to handle the 408 W and 553 lb/ft of torque that this engine produces. Reaching 0-60 mph in just 3.7 seconds, the 7.3 has a top speed of 220 mph depending on the aerodynamic configuration.

With a production limited by the Zonda Company to just 40 prototypes, a roadster version was built and as of 2005, nine roadsters had been built and by January 2006, according to Motor Trend, 60 Zondas of various types had been constructed.

In December of 2002, the development of the Zonda GR began. The Zonda was celebrating its fourth year in production but it had yet to be entered into major motorsports. Rallying together to create a new Company, Carsport Zonda, Toine Hezemans; owner of Carsport Holland, Tom Weichardt; owner of American Viperacing and Paul Kumpen; owner of GLPK set about to built a racing version. After securing exclusive rights to develop, build and sell competition Zondas from Horacio Pagani, the first GR was completed at Carsport's factory in Modena within months.

Based on the Zonda C12 S, the GR was constructed on the same carbon fiber chassis, with tube frames in the front and back. The bodywork of the C12 S was updated to include front and rear diffusers and louvers for improved aerodynamics. In accordance with the regulations of the FIA and ACO the car was 6.6 ft wide. A new suspension was designed and the GR's weight was reduced to 2,424 lbs as well as receiving new wheels and brakes. The engine of the GR and gearbox featured new oil coolers and the engine was equipped with an enlarged radiator.

The Zonda GR featured performance well beyond that of a normal stock car. Reaching 0-60 mph in just 3.3 seconds the engine produced around 440 kW; 590 hp at 5,800 rpm and 58 lb/ft of torque at 4,30 rpm with a redline increased to 7,500 rpm. This added power and improved aerodynamics enough to range a top speed of 215 mph.

Unveiled at the 2004 Paris Motor Show the Zonda C12 S Monza was a track-day version of the Zonda for private use. It borrowed much of its styling cues from the Zonda GR and included numerous features that could also be applied to other Zonda models. The cooling was improved and a dry sump engine tuned to 637 PS was utilized. The updated aerodynamics including a different wing and front diffuser allowed for great speed as well as the optimized gearing.

The C12 S Monza was lighter with polycarbonate side windows and an un-muffled exhaust. The interior was revised and included different pedals, seats, steering wheels and a reinforced roll cage. Improving performance were larger brakes and a stiffer suspension. For safety, an external fire extinguisher was included. The C12 S Monza can reach 100 km/h in just 2.7 seconds.

Unveiled in 2005 the Zonda F or C12 F debuted at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show. With a wheelbase of 107.4 inches, a length of 174.6 inches, a width of 80.9 inches, a height of 44.9 inches, and a curb weight of 2,712 lbs, the C12 F featured the most extensive reengineering of the Pagani yet. Though it shares much with its predecessors including the 7.3 L V12, power was increased to 443 kW; 594 hp with a unique clubsport model that produced 480 W; 640 hp. The C12 F had a top speed of over 215 mph and could hit 62 mph in just 3.5 seconds.

by Jessican Donaldson