Geneva Preview: Pagani Zonda R

Rumors of a high-po track version of the capable Pagani Zonda have materialized as true today in the form of official looking pics and info on the Swedish website Sportbilen.se. No translating utility we could find was able to decipher the site's cryptic native language, but we've picked out what we can and combined with knowledge from elsewhere on the net can tell you that the Zonda R will feature a 750bhp V12 engine likely sourced from Mercedes that also produces 523 ft-lbs. of twist. The current king of Pagani's stable is the Zonda F, which produces 594 hp in stock trim from a Mercedes 7.3L V12. From the pictures it is also clear that the Zonda R will be longer and lower than current models and be fitted with a number of aero enhancements to keep it sucked to the ground at high speeds. Chances are it will probably lighter, as well.

Clearly the Zonda R takes after such exclusive track cars as the Ferrari Enzo FXX and Maserati MC12. It will likely be produced in numbers even more limited than a standard Zonda and purchasing probably comes from invitation only. Street legal? Not likely.

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Yonder7 - 2/26/2007 5:23:18 PM

+1 Boost

I do not belive this engine will be a Merc V12 for those reasons: Weight, Size, and Torsion (to much torsion for almost any transmision). Even the own manufacturer with their new 7G is not able to use that in the V12 in "DECENT MODE" and with any of the AMG works, so Imagine 7.3 liters is MR HIDE with an overdose. The only available transmision able to handel MR Hide, is the 5G that they are using in the S65, sl65 and the previous CL65 (and they use with elctronic governor that limit the torsion to 738lb). No Way unless they create a new transmision.

Threepoint1415926 - 2/26/2007 10:42:51 PM

+1 Boost

Who said anything about using a Mercedes tranny? Pagani has never used one in the past... I think that if this car is for real, it will most likely have an outrageous Mercedes AMG engine in it like their other cars. Pagani and AMG have good relations.

EvoAudi - 2/26/2007 7:14:25 PM

+3 Boost

they should use an audi/vw/porshe V12/V10 TDI or 4.2L V8

Agent63 - 2/26/2007 7:39:03 PM

+2 Boost

They will not use a 4.2 V8. If anything a Porsche engine. As for the TDI highly unlikely. I think their relations with Mercedes AMG is quite strong so they will continue to use the engines. It's not like the AMG engines are bad.

Ihatemercs - 2/26/2007 11:37:36 PM

+1 Boost

Looks fast..............still ugly though.

germeezy2 - 2/28/2007 2:22:35 AM

+1 Boost

You guys are nuts have you ever heard a Zonda at full chat? It produces a hard edged sound that only a big capacity double six could produce. 523 lb ft is not much more than the F produces now.