Pagani Zonda
The Pagani Zonda is a mid-engine sports car produced by the Italian sports car manufacturer Pagani. It debuted at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show. By 2018, a total of 140 cars had been built, including development mules. Both 2-door coupé and roadster variants have been produced along with a third new variant being the barchetta. Construction is mainly of carbon fibre.
The Zonda was originally to be named the "Fangio F1" after Formula One champion Juan Manuel Fangio, but, following his death in 1995, it was renamed for the Zonda wind, a regional term for a hot air current above Argentina.
Overview
Zonda C12
The Zonda C12 debuted in 1999 at the Geneva Motor Show. It is powered by a Mercedes-Benz M120 V12 engine having a power output of either or at 5,200 rpm and of torque at 4,200 rpm mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.The C12 can accelerate to in 4.0 seconds and to in 9.2 seconds.
Only five cars were built with the 6.0 L
engine, though the C12 was still available in 2002 when the C12 S was introduced. One was used for crash testing and homologation, while another was a demonstrator and show car. The remainder were delivered to customers during the next three years. The crash test and homologation car having chassis number 001 was restored by Pagani's recently established restoration program called "Pagani Rinascimento" and was presented to the public at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show for the Zonda's 20th anniversary.
Zonda C12 S
The Zonda S uses a modified version of the V12 engine used in the C12 enlarged to. Tuned by Mercedes-AMG, the engine has a power output of and is mated to a newly developed 6-speed manual transmission in order to handle the high power output produced by the engine.The C12 S can accelerate to in 3.7 seconds, to in 7.0 seconds. Lateral acceleration on the skidpad is 1.18 g. The C12 S can can attain a top speed of.
Zonda C12 S 7.3
Introduced in 2002 the Zonda S 7.3 used a new, larger naturally aspirated V12 engine displacing designed and manufactured by Mercedes-Benz AMG having a power output of at 5,900 rpm and of torque at 4,050 rpm. To better handle the power, traction control and ABS were made standard. Performance claims were unchanged from the Zonda C12 S.Zonda Roadster
In 2003, Pagani presented the Zonda Roadster, an open top version of the Zonda S 7.3. Carrying the same components as the coupé, Pagani promised no loss of performance, a claim supported by the minimal weight gain of. A total of 40 roadsters were produced.Zonda F
The Zonda F debuted at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show. It was the most extensive re-engineered variant of the Zonda yet, though it shared much with its predecessors including the 7.3 L AMG V12 engine which through enhanced intake manifolds, exhaust and a revised ECU now had a power output of at 6,150 rpm and at 4,000 rpm. The transmission is largely the same as the C12 S but had stronger internals and differential gears.Production of the Zonda F was limited to 25 cars. It came equipped with an extra headlight and different fog lights at the sides, new bodywork that improved the car's aerodynamics, and different side mirrors. Further enhancements over the "S" centered on optional carbon/ceramic brakes developed in conjunction with Brembo, OZ alloy wheels, Inconel exhaust system, hydroformed aluminium intake plenum, and a redesigned "Z preg" weave in the crash structure to improve rigidity and reduce weight.
Zonda Roadster F
The Zonda Roadster F debuted at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show. Exterior wise, the roadster was similar to the coupé, but with a removable carbon fibre roof and canvas side curtains, weighing just more than the coupé. Power output of the engine increased to and of torque. Production of the Roadster F was limited to 25 units.The Roadster F maintained chassis rigidity without any gain in curb weight, eschewing conventional thinking by not strengthening the sills, a process which would have needed more than of reinforcement. Pagani instead used racing car materials, and construction techniques, strengthening the firewall structure of the chassis tub together with billet alloy braces that connected the points where the roof rails would have joined. The windscreen was also strengthened for safety reasons. These techniques enabled the Roadster to have virtually the same weight as the coupé,.
The Zonda Roadster F Clubsport is a light weight version of the Zonda Roadster F. It has an extensive use of the new carbo-titanium material developed Pagani as well as having an upgraded engine. It was tested by Top Gear's The Stig along with James May and achieved a lap time around their test track of 1:17.8, beating the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 tested during the same episode, but lost in a quarter mile drag race against the Veyron by nearly 2.5 seconds. German racing driver Marc Basseng managed to lap the Zonda F Clubsport around the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7:24.7.
Zonda Cinque
The Zonda Cinque was meant to be the last iteration of the Zonda, being a road-legal version of the Zonda R. Only five were built, hence the name, with deliveries set to June 2009 for all five cars. The Zonda Cinque was developed at the request of a Pagani dealer in Hong Kong.The differences from other variants of the Zonda were the new 6-speed sequential gearbox, resulting in shifts taking less than 100 milliseconds, dropping the 0–100 km/h acceleration time down to 3.4 seconds. The gearbox has three driving modes, namely Comfort, Sport and Race which optimises the gearbox for different driving conditions. The Cinque also had a revised form of carbon fibre called "carbo-titanium" which incorporates titanium in the weave to increase strength and rigidity. The suspension used magnesium and titanium components, and the 7.3-litre engine's power and torque were increased to and. Revised bodywork, which included a longer front splitter, new sideskirts, rear diffuser, bumper canards, and a flatter underside as well as a roof-mounted air intake scoop, enabled the Cinque to generate of down-force at and 1.45 G of cornering force.
Zonda Cinque Roadster
The Zonda Cinque Roadster had the same specifications as the coupé from which it was derived. Only five units were built, like the coupé.Zonda Tricolore
The Zonda Tricolore, was originally conceived as a one-off but there were actually three built. It was built as a tribute to the Frecce Tricolori, Italy's aerobatic team. It carried much of the body from the Zonda Cinque. The car was unpainted except for a clear blue lacquer, and red, white, and green stripes from the nose along the top of the car's surface. Unique to this car was a small wing placed behind the cockpit which reflected the tail wing of Frecce Tricolori's Aermacchi MB-339 PAN stunt plane. The three Tricolores were priced at £1.2 million. It was also faster than a standard Zonda at.Zonda HP Barchetta
The Zonda HP Barchetta was unveiled at the 2017 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance as a present to the company's founder, Horacio Pagani for his 60th birthday as well as to commemorate the 18th anniversary of the Zonda. It has unique exterior design cues which makes it different from other Zondas produced with the most distinguishable features being the barchetta body style and rear wheel covers inspired by group C race cars, making it the first Pagani to ever use this styling. It also has a rear spoiler, air intakes and rear lights taken from the 760 series cars. Power comes courtesy of the Mercedes-Benz V12 engine rated at and of torque making it the most powerful road legal Zonda ever produced. It borrows its seats and suspension from the Huayra BC along with its power output being identical to the BC with the only difference being that the BC has a Bi-turbo engine while the HP Barchetta is naturally aspirated. The wheels of the car also have different colour inlays with the wheels at the left having gold and the wheels at the right having blue inlays. Production is limited to just 3 units with one unit retained for Horacio Pagani's personal collection. The Zonda HP Barchetta marks an end to the Zonda's production run. The 760 series cars and other special edition Zondas can still be commissioned upon customer request.Technical data (all production variants)
Special editions
Monza
The Zonda Monza was first shown at the 2004 Paris Motor Show and is a track-day version of the Zonda built for an American customer. Borrowing design cues from the Zonda GR racecar, the Monza featured a dry sump version of the Zonda S 7.3 engine tuned to and had improved cooling. Modified aerodynamics, including a large rear wing and front diffuser, allows for greater speed and a straight cut gearbox provides optimised gearing. The car was lighter and fitted with Lexan side windows along with an unmuffled racing exhaust system along with centre lock speedline wheels. The revised interior includes different pedals, steering wheel, and seats, as well as a reinforced roll cage. Larger brakes and a stiffer suspension also improve performance. Finally, an external fire extinguisher is included for safety.Uno
A special one-off built for Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Thani, a member of the royal family of Qatar, famous for his turquoise car collection. Originally, the car was a Zonda F Roadster that was crashed in Qatar and was sent back to the factory to be rebuilt. The car specifications are similar to those of a Cinque with the new carbon-titanium chassis. It also has the LEDs on the front of the car like the Tricolore. Unique to this car are the darkened rear lights and the rear exhaust; the four pipes are shorter than standard. Also, the black wheels with turquoise wheel-striping, and the dual-tone diffuser are eye-catchers, together with numerous black accents, like those on the exhaust system unit.HH
The Zonda HH is a special one-off edition, in Monterey Blue, that features the engine from the Cinque and most of the bodywork from the Zonda F Roadster. The HH was commissioned by Danish programmer David Heinemeier Hansson.Absolute Evo
The Pagani Zonda Absolute is a special one-off edition Zonda shipped to Hong Kong. It features a bare carbon fibre body finished in a matte black colour along with Italian tri-colour stripe in the centre. The engine is shared with the Pagani Zonda Cinque and has the same power output. The car is the sixth one-off variant of the Zonda.In 2018 the Absolute was sent to the factory for 760 upgrades and a manual gearbox to be fitted. It was renamed the Absolute Evo. It has since been involved in an accident and is due for repairs at SPS HK
PS
The Zonda PS was a one-off special that was commissioned by Peter Saywell. It was finished in white with yellow striping on the side. The car is the only one with all four exhaust pipes placed in a row instead of a square. In January 2013 pictures surfaced of a redesigned Zonda PS. The PS has now been finished in bright blue and has the same rear-fin, air intakes, roof scoop and spoiler resembling the ones present on the 760RS and 760LH, but the exhaust pipes arranged in a row have now been replaced with the original layout. It also features the same day-time LEDs as on the Tricolore, 760LH and the 760RS. A unique feature present on the car is that its front arches are fitted with carbon-fibre fenders for improved down-force. The car was involved in an accident in the UK in October 2017.GJ
The Zonda GJ was commissioned by a Scottish entrepreneur Gareth Jones whose Zonda S heavily crashed in 2009. The car originally had a silver exterior colour. He decided to get the car modified to a special edition exclusively made for him after the crash. The car was upgraded in both looks and performance, such as the addition of design elements from the Zonda F and Cinque along with a matte carbon exterior finish with red accents. The engine was upgraded to the specifications of the Zonda F Clubsport. The car was crashed again in 2017 and then sold to a Japanese owner who converted it to a 760 series car called the OLIVER Evolution.Zonda Roadster F Club Sport Final Edition
The Zonda Roadster F Club Sport Final Edition was a special version of the Zonda Roadster F Club Sport developed to commemorate the end of the regular production of the Zonda. Commissioned by Super Vettura UK, the car features a bare carbon-fibre body finished in a matte black colour and interior finished in a grey colour. The engine in the car was tuned to have a power output of. The car was number 24 of the 25 Zonda Roadster F Club Sport cars built.Zonda 760 One-off Series
The Zonda 760 Series is a custom line-up built for special customers from existing Zonda chassis. These models have a 7.3-litre M297 engine but with a power output of and of torque.760RS
The Zonda 760RS is a one-off version built for a businessman in Chile, who is said to be a very close friend of Horacio Pagani. It has the engine attached to a sequential gearbox and finished in carbon exterior and black interior. The 760RS also features a distinctive rear fin that runs down the centre of the car, while also feature the same air ducts and roof air intake as the Cinque.760LH
Same as the Zonda 760 RS, it features a different colour, purple, for both the exterior and the interior, and a manual gearbox instead of the sequential one. It has been commissioned upon request of Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton, hence the initials LH. The car was involved in an accident in Monaco in late 2015 but was later repaired and still remains in possession of Hamilton.764 Passione
The Zonda 764 Passione features the same appearances as that of the 760RS and the 760LH, but it is an upgraded Zonda F and features a bigger rear spoiler and bigger distinctive central rear fin. It is finished in grey carbon fibre with accents of natural carbon fibre with light grey striping on the sides and the Italian flag running alongside the nose just like on the Tricolore. The car has purple-pink interior with wooden steering wheel, all done upon customer's request. The engine is mated to the same 6-speed manual gearbox Lewis Hamilton commissioned on his Zonda. The 764 Passione was delivered to its owner in Tokyo, Japan in December 2012. The car is Zonda F chassis No.83.760 Fantasma
The 760 Fantasma is the fourth 760-series Zonda, after the 760RS, 760LH and 764 Passione, and is a rebuilt orange Zonda F which was badly damaged in an accident in Hong Kong during 2012. The car was originally commissioned by Peter Saywell, chassis number 53, who later sold it to a Chinese businessman in Hong Kong. After the car's accident it was sent back to the Pagani factory where it was repaired and received all the 760-series upgrades. The central monocoque is the same Zonda F chassis and finished in reddish maroon with the Italian flag running up from its nose like the Zonda Tricolore with the central section left unpainted. The only details remaining unchanged are wheels which are from the Zonda F and the interior.In 2017 the owner sent the car back to factory for a rebuild and the name was changed from Zonda Fantasma to Zonda Fantasma Evo. The owner wanted to create the ultimate Zonda coupe so he ditched the 7 speed sequential gearbox for a Manual gearbox, new lighter weight parts for weight savings, power was up to 800bhp now, new rear wing, new front air ducts, new interior and more.
760 Kiryu
A roadster dubbed the Zonda 760 Kiryu was delivered to Bingo Sports in Japan in 2015, the second 760-series model shipped to that country and the 14th produced overall. The Kiryu features a dark blue tinted carbon fibre body and gloss carbon fibre trim.The Kiryu is only the second roadster in the 760 series, Kiryu was sold in 2019 to a private collector in Australia.760 AG
It is the first roadster variant to be commissioned in the 760 series of one-off cars. It was commissioned by a customer in Dubai. The car has exterior features like the other 760 cars and also resembling the Zonda Cinqué. Like the other 760 series cars, the car does not have the daytime running LED lights and a sequential transmission which makes it stand out from the other one-off models. The car features a blue carbon exterior with wheel arches, side sills and front canards in bare carbon fibre, a carbon fibre rear fin and spoiler with tricolore stripes and a black leather interior with carbon accenting throughout.760 LM and 760 LM roadster
This one-off Pagani Zonda was the second to last edition of the Zonda made in 2015. The custom sports car is based on the 760 RS model and pays tribute to the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans race. Unlike other special edition Zondas, the LM has revised headlamps and an even bigger rear spoiler than the original 760RS. The LM also has the tricolore stripes depicting the Italian flag on the right side of the bonnet and the German flag on the other side. The rest of the body is built on standard 760 RS specifications. The car has a carbon exterior. A roadster version was also commissioned by a good friend of the owner with aero specifications identical to that of the coupe.760 OLIVER Evolution
The OLIVER Evolution is based on the 760 RS model and specially built for a Pagani collector. Unlike other special edition Zondas, this 760 has a uniquely designed rear spoiler which was engineered by one of the world GT champions to generate the maximum downforce to give the ultimate grip on the circuit. The car was tested by the Toyota factory driver and GT500 champion Akira Iida on Fuji Speedway during the Pagani Raduno in Japan this year. Mr Iida commented the Zonda Oliver Evolution is the best handling and closest to the Zonda Evolution R road car he has ever driven.760 Riviera
The 760 Riviera is another addition to the 760 series of the Zonda which is based on a Zonda F. The owner sent his yellow Zonda F to the factory to get the 760 series treatment which means that it makes from a 7.3 L M297 V12 engine. The exterior styling is inspired by the French Riviera along with the Zonda Cinque and includes the addition of a rear spoiler, a roof scoop, rear fin and front splitters. The car has a snow white paint job with bare carbon at the centre along with blue accents throughout the car. The car was revealed in an online video from Pagani in 2017.760 Aether Roadster
This one-off was commissioned by the same owner of the Ferrari SP38 one-off. It was unveiled at the 2018 Pagani Raduno event in Italy and shares a lot of parts from the Zonda Cinque but has some special features. The car also has door straps instead of normal door handles to save weight.760 ZUN Roadster
The Zonda Zun was introduced in 2019 and will be a rebuilt incarnation of the Zonda F Roadster #76077 with completion set in 2020. Features include a new carbon air extractors and a carbon fibre arrowhead nose plus a carbon aero package including special canards and a splitter. It is finished in purple carbon fibre.760 King
In 2019, a new 760 edition was introduced called the 760 King. It is a rebuilt variant of the Zonda F #76065. The King is finished in exposed carbon with a black leather interior and features all standard 760 parts with the 7 speed sequential manual transmission.760 Venti Roadster
In 2019, the Zonda Venti was unveiled at a Pagani dinner during the Goodwood festival of speed. It is finished in Dark green with dark brown interior, it is equipped with a 6 speed manual gearbox. The owner also owns 3 other Zonda's which include the 760 Fantasma Evo, a F Roadster and a S 7.0.760 Danubio
In 2019 during the Pagani Raduno in Italy, the 760 Danubi was revealed. It is rebuilt from the owner's Zonda F #76063 and is finished in white with blue carbon body parts. It has a custom rear wing and is owned by the same owner as the 760 Viola. It currently resides in China.760 Unica Roadster
Introduced in 2018, the Unica Roadster was commissioned by the founder of Top Car Design in Spain. It is finished in Blue carbon with gold accents. It was inspired by the Zonda tricolore, it has a 6 speed manual gearbox and a 760 specification engine with aerodynamic parts shared with the Zonda Cinque.760 Oliver Roadster
In 2019 during the Pagani dinner where the Zonda Venti was unveiled, Pagani also introduced the Oliver Roadster which is owned by the same owner as the coupe. It is finished in exposed carbon with all the custom parts of the coupe but it is equipped with the 7 speed sequential manual transmission and not the 6 speed manual of the coupe.760 Sapphire
The Zonda Sapphire was introduced in 2019. It is a rebuild of a Zonda F finished in exposed carbon from China, the Sapphire is finished in satin blue carbon with white accents. The interior is finished in blue and white leather. The car has the same aero upgrades as Zun but it has a longer roof scoop as it is a coupe.Racing
Zonda GR
Development of the Zonda GR started in December 2002. Tom Weickardt, owner of American Viperacing, Toine Hezemans, owner of Carsport Holland, and Paul Kumpen, owner of GLPK Racing, incorporated a new company, Carsport Zonda, to develop a racing version of the Zonda. They secured exclusive rights to develop, build and sell competition versions of the Zonda from Horacio Pagani, and the first GR was completed at Carsport's facility in Modena within months.The Zonda GR is based on the Zonda S. It was built on the same carbon fibre chassis, with lightweight tube frames present on the front and rear. The bodywork was modified to include front and rear diffusers and louvers for improved aerodynamics. The car was wide, in accordance with the regulations of the FIA and ACO. The car's weight was reduced to, and a new suspension system was designed. Along with new motorsport oriented wheels and brakes. The engine was equipped with an enlarged radiator, and the engine and gearbox also had new oil coolers. The resulting engine is rated at around at 5,800 rpm and of torque at 4,300 rpm with a redline increased to 7,500 rpm. Performance figures include a 0 to acceleration time of 3.3 seconds.
The car was entered into the 2003 24 Hours of Le Mans, but retired after ten laps due to a gearbox failure.