No study of hypercar heroes would be complete without the phenomenal Pagani Zonda R from 2009 to 2010. Just 15 examples of this hardcore track machine were produced, with pricing of around $2.5-million each.
With typical Pagani thoroughness, the Zonda R’s creation is far more that a set of slick tires and lightweight carpet.
As you can see from almost every angle, the Zonda R employs an all-new aerodynamic setup. Giant lower intake scoops and splitter could cut off a pedestrian at the ankles, with the sharp wedge of a carbon-fiber nose an effective cleaver to finish that dark job. (Luckily, the graffiti artists of the Nurburgring tend to come at night.)
Around back, the Zonda R is almost all-new both design-wise and mechanically. A smooth-flowing rear decklid sweeps the air off the car and through the giant wing, while a jumbo diffuser sucks the car onto the pavement with pure ground-effect bliss.
Under the giant snorkel air intake, the 7.3-liter V12 AMG engine of other Zondas is swapped for a race-ready ‘M120’ 6.0-liter version. This engine is the proven race version, able to rev with LF-A-like intensity and also stay oiled during hours-long, high-G-force track sessions.
The Zonda R makes 750-horsepower to deliver a 60-mph sprint in just 2.7-seconds. On track, the Zonda R holds the record for non-production/special cars: 6 minutes and 47 seconds. Set in 2010, this outrageous pace is ten seconds quicker than the Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach pack can achieve, and a full minute quicker than Zonda F. To slice so much time off the already-rapid Zonda shows the depth of investment Pagani put into this track special.
So while most cars think of the Nurburgring as the Green Hell, we’d argue that the Zonda R makes it seven minutes in heaven.
Official tech specs of the Zonda R plus 101 photos are included here.
The only thing more intense? Perhaps the 2014 Zonda Revolution, or R-evo for short! Watch this space for the next installment… =]
2010 PAGANI Zonda R
Technical Specifications
| Engine | Mercedes-Benz AMG – M120 – 12 cylinder V 60°, 48 valves; displacement 5987 ccm, dry sump |
|---|---|
| Max. Torque | Nm/rpm: 710/5.700 |
| Stroke | 80,20 mm |
| Bore | 89,00 mm |
| Traction control | 12 Stage – Bosch Motorsport traction control system |
| Intake | Single throttle bodies, mechanically operated |
| Exhaust system | Hydroformed Inconel, ceramic coated |
| Transmission | Longitudinal mid engine; rear wheel drive with self-locking differential |
| Gearbox | XTRAC 672 bespoke magnesium casing gearbox, 6 speed sequential dog gearchange with Automac Engineering AMT system |
| Carbon-ceramic brakes | 4 ventilated Brembo disks, hydraulic power brake; 12 Stage – Bosch Motorsport Race ABS |
| Discs | Front 380×34 mm 6 piston caliper; Rear 380×34 mm 4 piston caliper |
| Wheels | Forged alloy APP wheels; 19” front, 20” rear |
| Tyres | Pirelli P Zero Zonda R: front 255/35/19; rear 335/30/20 |
| Suspensions | 4 independent wheels with double A-arm; Forged Avional suspension arms; pull rod helical springs and Öhlins adjustable shock absorbers |
| Structure | Central carbon-Titanium chassis, Engine is a stressed member; front and rear Cr Mo space frames; bodywork carbon fiber MD System |
| Dimensions | Length 4886 mm; Width 2014 mm; height 1141 mm; Wheelbase 2785 mm; Dry weight 1070 kg |
| Safety | Roll cage in Cr Mo steel; carbon fibre seats HANS compatible; five point harness |
| Performance | 0-100 km/h in 2,7 sec |
| Top speed | > 350 km/h |
| Weight-to-Power ratio | 1,43 kg/hp |
PAGANI Official Zonda R Info
Not just “a” supercar, it’s “the” supercar
Flying on the wings of a wind that keeps blowing harder and faster, the Zonda R was designed for the racetrack, and from the racetrack, without limits. This fabulous supercar is ready to display its character in total purity and freedom. Inspired to the F version, this extreme supercar that features a longer wheelbase was created specifically to meet a client’ request. It embodies dedicated engineering know-how that represents the outcome of the maximum expression of aesthetic, aerodynamic and ergonomic research carried out at Pagani’s atelier.
New heart, new guise
The central monocoque in carbon-titanium, more rigid and lighter than ever, encases a Mercedes-Benz AMG V12 high-performance racing engine as if it were a precious gem. This four wheel prodigy is able to deliver 750 HP and produce a torque of 710 Nm. This engine is bolted directly to the central monocoque. A direct throttle actuation via mechanical cable ensures immediate throttle response, thus achieving improved propulsor performance in terms of reactivity.
20 milliseconds is the time needed by the Zonda R to perform gearshifts, thanks to a transversal sequential gearbox in magnesium, enhanced by the Xtrac transmission technolgy, Automac Engineering automation and the shift paddles located behind the steering wheel.
Intuitive, simple & configurable
When it comes to the creation of the most extreme versions, Zonda R is a clear indication that the Modenese atelier – on a par with the greatest fashion designers- is capable of strengthening its uniqueness without sacrificing driver comfort.
High performance combines with driving simplicity and manoeuvrability, thanks to a 12-way Bosch Motorsport traction control and ABS system which allows the driver to fully adjust the settings while driving the Zonda R. At the pits, the driver will be able to find a suitable setup thanks to a fully adjustable suspension and wing configuration.
0-100 in less than 2.7 seconds
A power-to-weight ratio of 701 hp-per-ton combined with Pirelli Pzero tyres can catapult the driver from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 2,7 seconds, while the Brembo carbon ceramic brakes ensure the car comes to a standstill even quicker.
A dry weight of 1.070 kg is achieved through the AvionAl suspension components, Aspa machined structural ErgAl parts holding the engine and the gearbox, and Poggipolini Titanium screws. Moreover, aerodynamic setups allows for a high downforce setting of up to 1.500kg and a 350kmh top speed setting. The effectiveness of the rear is matched by the complex new front bonnet, as well as the closed flat underbody and rear diffusor.
Interior design: attention to detail and safety
The bespoke Toora seats, FIA approved and compliant with the latest HANS standards, along with five-point safety belts and roll-cage guarantee optimum driver safety. Although the overall conformation is kept to a bare minimum, the high quality finish and attention to detail do not fail to comply with the usual demanding Pagani Standards.
Produced in a limited run of 15 units
Press Release
A Pagani Zonda is never shy of a drive at the racetrack, a fact that was underminednumerous times in the past with records for production vehicles at the Nurburgring Nordschleife.
With the input of its avid track focused customers, the Pagani team hascreated the Zonda R using bespoke engineering solutions to meet the performancedemands for a trackday version of the highly popular Zonda F. The central monocoque is made of a Carbon-Titanium composite, increasing rigiditywhile reducing significantly the weight.
Bolted directly to the chassis is the MercedesAMG 6.0 litre race derived V12 engine, with 750 hp and 710 Nm of torque.
A direct throttle actuation via mechanical cable ensures immediate throttle response.The Xtrac Magnesium cased dog ring gearbox combined with tha Automac EngineeringAMT system performs gearshifts in 20ms, triggered by the drivers input on the paddlesbehind the steering wheel. A 12-way Bosch Motorsport traction control and ABS system allows the driver to fully adjust the settings while driving the Zonda R.At the pits, each driver will be able to find a suitable setup thanks to a fully adjustablesuspension and wing configuration.
The effectiveness of the rear is matched by a complexnew front bonnet, a masterpiece realised with the help of models by Ennegi, as well asthe closed underbody and rear diffusor.
Aerodynamic setups rage from a high downforcesetting of 1.500kg to a 350kmh top speed setting.
Aspa forged AvionAl suspension components as well as machined structural ErgAl partsholding the engine and gearbox have been designed to reduce the weight of the overallcar, Poggipolini Titanium screws are used on the whole car.
These measures lead to adry weight of 1.070 kg.
The interior has been designed to offer a perfect environment for the driver. The controlsare limited to the indispensable, but the quality finish reflects the usual demanding Paganistandards.
The bespoke Toora seats are FIA homologated and comply to latest HANSstandards, five-point safety belts and a CrMo roll-cage assure the occupants’ safety.
The lucky owners of the Zonda R will experience a level of performance on the track,that is simply not possible on the road.
A power-to-weight ratio of 701 hp-per-ton willcatapult them from 0 to 60 mph in less than 2.7 seconds, the Brembo carbon ceramicbrakes ensure the car comes to a standstill even quicker.
The Zonda R is built in a limited production run and sold at a price of 1.460.000 Europlus taxes, a performance machine, a track toy, a collectors item, a masterpiece signedby Horacio Pagani.
Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.
He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.
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