The successor to the Zonda has finally been revealed. Built with a carbon-titanium monocoque and gullwing doors, the new Huayra is powered by a 700HP 6-litre V12 Mercedes-AMG biturbo engine, with torque of more than 1000Nm.

Performance figures? Well, we don’t know yet, but the Huayra weighs just 1350kg, so it’s not going to be slow, not when the phenomenal power and torque is transferred to the wheels via a seven-speed sequential gearbox and a dual-disc clutch – the entire transmission system weighing just 96kg.

By minimising the rear overhang, Pagani is aiming to give its new model more ‘neutral’ behaviour, helped by suspension geometry developed from that of the Zonda, and Pirelli P Zero tyres. These tyres, designed to fit the Huayra, are rated to 370km/h, while the engineers are confident that they can handle lateral forces of 1.5g. So that gives even more of an insight into the sort of performance we might expect…

It should sound good, too. The titanium exhaust system uses race technology to ensure a free flow of exhaust gases. The full system again conforms to the low-weight philosophy, tipping the scales at less than 10kg, while (to quote Pagani) the sound should “translate into a harmonious and deep roar that portends a wave of power ready to erupt with a roar, accompanied by the hiss generated by aircraft intakes' air”. Right.

But it gets better. “Think of Huayra as a wing,” we’re told, “able to actively change its angle of attack.” There are, it appears, four independently operated flaps on the car, so that it “constantly changes its shape”, depending on speed, yaw rate, lateral acceleration, steering angle and throttle position. Computer-controlled downforce, then. Impressive.

Text: Charis Whitcombe
Photos: Pagani