(from Pagani
Automobili Press Release) While we certainly cannot say the Zonda F lacks performance figures,
driving around the Nrburgring in 7:32 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 Coup 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.
Even 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 394 mm 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 Nrburgring.
The Pagani customers who have ordered the Zonda R will be relieved
of almost 1.2 million + taxes.
Technical Specifications for Zonda R
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 its 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 highperformance
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.
