Pagani Automobili S.p.A.

Type	Private
Founded	1992
Founder(s)	Horacio Pagani
Headquarters	Modena, Italy
Key people	Horacio Pagani, CEO/President
Industry	Automotive
Products	Automobiles
Website	PaganiAutomobili.it

Pagani Automobili S.p.A. is an Italian manufacturer of sports cars and carbon fibre. The company was founded in 1992 by Horacio Pagani, and is based in San Cesario sul Panaro, near Modena, Italy.

History

Horacio Pagani, an Argentinian who formerly managed Lamborghini's composite department, founded Pagani Composite Research in 1988. This new company worked with Lamborghini on numerous projects, including the restyling of the 25th Anniversary Countach, the P140 design concept, and the Diablo. In the late 1980s, Pagani began designing his own car, then referred to as the "C8 Project". Pagani planned to rename the C8 the "Fangio F1" to honour five-time Formula One champion Juan Manuel Fangio.
In 1991 Pagani established Modena Design to meet the increasing demand for his design, engineering, and prototyping services. In 1992, he began construction of a Fangio F1 prototype, and by 1993, the car was being tested at the Dallara wind tunnel with positive results. In 1994, Mercedes-Benz agreed to supply Pagani with V12 engines.
The final car was named the Zonda C12; the Fangio F1 name was dropped out of respect for Fangio, who died in 1995. It was first presented at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show.
In 2005, Pagani announced that it planned to triple its production output within the next three years, and to enter the US market in 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, Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, and Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR . ^[1]

Relationship with Daimler

While it is an independent company, Pagani has a working relationship with Daimler AG, most notably, with Mercedes' AMG arm. This is partly due to the fact that Fangio had suggested that Pagani approach Mercedes. The Zonda has used increasingly advanced versions of the M120 V12; the initial version displaced 6.0L, but current Zondas use a 7.3L engine. Pagani has also assisted in the development of the Chrysler ME Four-Twelve.

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

Pagani is building an all new car intended to replace the Zonda. It is called the C9 and will debut in 2010. Pagani expects to build no more than 40 each year and each will sell for $1,250,000. The engine will be a 6.0Liter V12 from Mercedes' AMG division making 700 horsepower (522 kW) and over 1,000 N·m (740 lb·ft) of torque.

Zonda Cinque

Pagani has announced a car named "Zonda Cinque" which 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 fibre," which is stronger and lighter than typical carbon fibre. There will only be 5 produced, all of which are already spoken for. ^[2]
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. ^[3]

Zonda Tricolore

Pagani has also announced the building of the very exclusive Zonda Tricolore at the 2010 Geneva Motor show. With numbers limited to just three examples this 1.3 million Euro - before taxes - car is a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Italian Aerobatic Fleet - Italy's answer to the Red Arrows.^[4]The Tricolore is based on a top specification Zonda Cinque, built on a carbon titanium chassis with sequential transmission and titanium exhausts.The 7.3 liter Mercedes AMG V12 in the back pumps out 670 hp (500 kW), which translates to 217 mph (349 km/h) all out and 0-62 mph in 3.2 seconds.