Pagani
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Pagani Automobili S.p.A. is an Italian automobile manufacturer of high-performance supercars and high quality carbon fiber that Lamborghini also uses in its cars. The company was founded by Horacio Pagani an Argentine company manufacturer, living in Italy; at San Cesario sul Panaro (Modena, Italy). Also involved at the outset was Juan Manuel Fangio, a five-time Formula One champion who helped him get a job with Lamborghini.
History
In 1988, Horacio Pagani, former manager of Lamborghini's composite department put up Pagani Composite Research. This new company worked extensively with Lamborghini on numerous projects, including the restyling of the Countach Anniversary, P140 and the Diablo. It was also during this time that Horacio started conceptualizing his own car, then called the "C8 Project," and eventually showing his drawings to Juan Manuel Fangio who he planned to name the car after (as the Fangio F1).
In 1991 Horacio Pagani set up Modena Design to meet the increasing demand for the services of design, engineering, model construction, moulds and prototypes. In 1992, he started construction of the prototype for the Fangio F1 and by 1993, they were testing the car at the Dallara wind tunnel, to positive results. It was around then that Fangio introduced Pagani to Mercedes-Benz and by 1994, they agreed to supply a V12 engine.
The final car, now called the Zonda C12 (the Fangio F1 name was dropped out of respect for Juan Manuel Fangio who had passed away) was presented at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show.
In 2005, Pagani announced that they planned to triple their production output within the next three years and at the same time, enter into the US market by 2007.
On the 25th of September 2007 Pagani claimed a new record for production super cars using the Pagani Zonda F Club sport by completing the Nürburgring in 7:27:82, but has since been beaten by other cars, such as the Maserati MC12, and Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR.
Relationship With DaimlerChrysler
While it is an independent company, Pagani has a working relationship with DaimlerChrysler, most notably, with AMG. AMG supplies and develops V12 engines for Pagani, for years now the Zonda has used increasingly more developed versions of the M120 V12, starting with the 6.0 litre to the current 7.3 litre developed from the engine used in the SL73 AMG. Outside of that, Pagani has also helped with the development of the Chrysler ME Four-Twelve supercar.
Pagani Zonda
Pagani's only model, the Zonda, is propelled by mid-mounted V-12 DOHC engines manufactured by Mercedes-Benz's AMG division. The car's design was inspired by jet fighters and the famous Sauber-Mercedes Silver Arrow Group C cars, and features several unique design elements, including its circular four pipe exhaust.
The Zonda production run will end with ten track-only Zonda R models.
- Zonda
- C12 6.0 L (5987 cc)
- C12 S 7.0 L (7010 cc)
- C12 S 7.3 L (7291 cc)
- C12 S Roadster
- C12 S Monza
- Pagani Zonda GR (racing car)
- Zonda F
- Pagani Zonda Roadster F
- Zonda R Clubsport
Future models
Zonda Cinque
Pagani has announced a car named "Zonda Cinque" will be introduced as a 2009 model. The Cinque will be based on the Zonda, but will feature a new 678 horsepower Mercedes-Benz V12, active aerodynamics, and a newly developed "carbon-titanium fiber," which is stronger and lighter than typical carbon fiber. There will only be 5 produced, all of which are already spoken for.
Pagani announced in July 2009 that they will also be producing a Zonda Cinque Roadster, of which only 5 will be produced. The Roadster uses the same Mercedes-Benz V12 engine as the coupe version, but has been made lighter and stronger to keep the car structurally rigid.
Future Models
Pagani has already announced that a new car, not based on the Zonda, temporarily called the C9 will be introduced in the near future utilizing the next-generation Mercedes-Benz V12. The target for the vehicle is for it to have around 627 lb ft. of torque coupled with a new Bosch traction control system. If this pushes through, this new model will be the first Pagani supercar to feature traction control. The car will also feature full active aerodynamics, replacing the exposed wings of the Zonda.
Trivia
- In series 7 of Top Gear, Pagani was casually referred to (during a review of the Ascari KZ-1) as the only new manufacturer to have truly joined the "supercar club" in recent years, being, according to presenter Richard Hammond, "as mad as a brush".
- In Jay-Z's new video his single "Show Me What You Got", a C12, driven by Danica Patrick, is featured in a race against a Ferrari driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr. with Jay-Z sitting as a passenger.
Pagani Models and Pics
- Pagani Zonda
- C12 6.0 L (5987 cc)
- C12 S 7.0 L (7010 cc)
- C12 S 7.3 L (7291 cc)
- Pagani Zonda F
- Pagani Zonda C12S 7.3:
- Country of origin: Italy
- Year of introduction: 1998
- Numbers built: N/A
- Body design: Horacio Pagani
- Weight: 1250 kg (2760 lb)
- Drivetrain
- Engine: Mercedes Benz AMG M120 E72 60º V 12
- Engine location: Mid , longitudinally mounted
- Displacement: 7.010 L (428 in³)
- Valvetrain: 4 valves per cylinder, DOHC
- Fuel feed: Fuel injection
- Aspiration: Naturally Aspirated
- Gearbox: 6 speed Manual
- Drive: Rear wheel drive
- Performance figures
- Power: 550 bhp (410 kW) @ 5500 rpm
- Torque: 750 N·m (553 ft·lbf) @ 4100 rpm
- Power to displacement: 78 bhp/L (58 kW/L, 1.29 bhp/in³)
- Power to weight ratio: 0.44 bhp/kg (0.33 kW/kg, 0.20 bhp/lb)
- Top speed: N/A
- 0-60 mph acceleration: 3.6 s
- Pagani Zonda Roadster: 40 Built
- Country of origin: Italy
- Year of introduction: 2003
- Weight: 1280 kg (2820 lb)
- Engine: Mercedes Benz AMG M120 E73 60º V 12
- Engine location: Mid , longitudinally mounted
- Displacement: 7.291 L (445 in³)
- Valvetrain: 4 valves per cylinder, DOHC
- Fuel feed: Bosch fuel injection
- Aspiration: Naturally aspirated
- Gearbox: 6 speed manual
- Performance figures
- Drive: Rear wheel drive
- Power: 555 bhp (414 kW) @ 5900 rpm
- Torque: 750 N·m (553 ft·lbf) @ 4050 rpm
- Power to displacement: 76 bhp/L
- Power to weight ratio: 0.43 bhp/kg
- Top speed: Roof on 220 mph (350 km/h), roof off 205 mph (330 km/h)
- 0-60 mph acceleration: 3.6 s
- Pagani Zonda C12 Monza (ONE OFF FROM 1998)
- Engine: Mercedes Benz M120 E73 AMG 60º V 12
- Engine location: Mid , longitudinally mounted
- Displacement: 7.291 liter (445 in³)
- Valvetrain: 4 valves per cylinder, DOHC
- Fuel feed: Bosch fuel injection
- Aspiration: Naturally aspirated
- Gearbox: 6 speed manual
- Drive: Rear wheel drive
- Power: 600 bhp (448 kW)
- Torque: N/A
- Power to displacement: 82 bhp/L (61 kW/L, 1.35 bhp/in³)
- Power to weight ratio: N/A
- Top speed: Officially 215 mph (345 km/h), rumoured to be in excess of 220 mph (355 km/h)
- 0-60 mph acceleration: N/A
- Pagani Zonda GR
- Country of origin: Italy
- Year of introduction: 2004
- Engine: Mercedes Benz / AMG 60º V 12
- Engine location: Mid, longitudinally mounted
- Displacement: 6.913 liter (422 in³)
- Valvetrain: 4 valves per cylinder, DOHC
- Fuel feed: Fuel injection
- Aspiration: Naturally aspirated
- Gearbox: X-Trac 6 speed Sequential
- Drive: Rear wheel drive
- Power: 600 bhp (448 kW) @ 6000 rpm
- Torque: 700 N·m (516 ft·lbf) @ 3500 rpm
- Power to displacement: 87 bhp/L (65 kW/L, 1.42 bhp/in³)
- Power to weight ratio: N/A
- Top speed: N/A
- 0-60 mph acceleration: N/A
See also
External links
- Pagani Car Pictures, Car Wallpapers & Specifications
- http://www.paganiautomobili.it/ (official site)
- Pagani models at www.ultimatecarpage.com
- Review on the Pagani Zonda F Clubsport
- Pagani History & Photos
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