This past March, Supercars.net had the opportunity to visit the Pagani Museum and Factory located in San Cesario sul Panaro, in the province of Modena, Italy. When driving through the quaint town, the untrained enthusiast would have no idea what wonders this town has to offer.
Home of the Pagani Headquarters, this small town is a landmark in automotive history. Through the main doors of the facility, Horacio Pagani’s personal 1/3 Zonda HP Barchetta sits parked on a rotating platform, foreshadowing the array of vehicles on display in the other room. Although we did receive a factory tour, cameras were unfortunately not permitted and discussion of customer vehicles under maintenance is prohibited.
However, seeing as it was not long after the first Utopia rolled out of the factory, around 15-20 of the first production Utopias were being assembled in front of our eyes. Each step of meticulous construction could be seen; from the base carbon fiber body panels being molded, to the finishing touches being made to the expertly crafted leather seats. It was quite remarkable to witness the assembly of such a machine.
As popular among brands from Ford to Ferrari, most vehicle assembly is done by machines. Pagani is different, however; every detail is carefully accounted for by highly skilled technicians. Every bolt and every nut is micro-tuned to fit with as close to no imperfections as humanly possible. Pagani’s technicians’ attention to detail is unparalleled.
On Display
The examples Pagani had on display at the time of our visit were magnificent. Eight different Zondas and one Huayra were truly a sight to behold. Being in a room where the most common vehicle in attendance is one of less than two hundred, the Zonda S was surreal.
The main display area boasted almost 10 cars for viewing. Immediately after entering the display, one in particular sits at the front. Spinning in its platform, La Nonna. The oldest Zonda in existence.
Zonda La Nonna
The Zonda La Nonna is a historic prototype that played a crucial role in the evolution of the Zonda lineup. It was constructed in 1998 as the second C12 prototype that would precede the original road-going C12 that we know and love today. It was the first test car used by Pagani to refine aerodynamics, chassis dynamics, and engine performance. Over the years, it accumulated more than 1 million kilometers of rigorous testing, making it one of the most significant development cars in Pagani’s history.
The Zonda La Nonna is a historic prototype that played a crucial role in the evolution of the Zonda lineup. It was constructed in 1998 as the second C12 prototype that would precede the original road-going C12 that we know and love today. It was the first test car used by Pagani to refine aerodynamics, chassis dynamics, and engine performance. Over the years, it accumulated more than 1 million kilometers of rigorous testing, making it one of the most significant development cars in Pagani’s history.
Originally equipped with a 6.0L AMG V12, La Nonna was continuously upgraded, eventually receiving the 7.3L V12 found in later Zonda models. Despite its heavy use, Pagani restored the car in 2018, preserving its worn yet iconic exterior as a tribute to its legacy. La Nonna remains a symbol of Pagani’s commitment to engineering excellence and innovation.
Directly adjacent to La Nonna sits an icon. The staple of all Zondas and the framework of some of the great works produced by Horacio. The Zonda S, this model specifically finished in a beautiful metallic blue to accentuate the aerodynamic curves of the carbon fiber body.
Zonda S
The Pagani Zonda S, introduced in 2002 as an evolution of the Zonda C12, refined both performance and design. It was powered by a naturally aspirated 7.0L Mercedes-AMG M120 V12 engine, producing 540 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to accelerate from 0-60 mph in approximately 3.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 208 mph.
Weighing just 1,280 kg (2,822 lbs) thanks to its lightweight carbon fiber chassis, the Zonda S offered an immaculate power-to-weight ratio. The car featured a new aerodynamic package with a larger rear wing, improved air intake, and an upgraded suspension.
Inside, Pagani’s signature attention to detail was evident with handcrafted leather, aluminum accents, and bespoke instrumentation. The Zonda S solidified Pagani’s reputation for combining cutting-edge performance with exquisite craftsmanship, setting the stage for later iterations like the Zonda F and Cinque.
Moving in chronological order, we find the Zonda F. A beautiful car capable of comfort on the road and success on the track and limited to a mere 25 examples.
Zonda F
The Zonda F, introduced at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show, is another evolution of the Zonda chassis, named in tribute to legendary Formula 1 driver Juan Manuel Fangio. It features a 7.3L naturally aspirated Mercedes-AMG V12 engine, producing 594 hp (602 PS) and 560 lb-ft of torque, with the Clubsport variant boosting output to 641 hp (650 PS).
Thanks to its lightweight carbon fiber body, the Zonda F weighs just 1,230 kg (2,712 lbs), achieving a 0-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 214 mph (345 km/h). It also introduced significant aerodynamic refinements, improved suspension, and an upgraded braking system featuring carbon-ceramic Brembo brakes as seen on the La Nonna’s current setup. Blending performance with exquisite craftsmanship, the Zonda F is the epitome of what a Pagani should be.
To the side of the F is a fabled iteration of the Zonda. One so rare it never sees the road and therefore, extremely difficult to say you have seen one: the Zonda Cinque, one of only 5 ever produced.
Zonda Cinque
The Zonda Cinque is an ultra-exclusive, road-legal hypercar designed as a bridge between the hardcore Zonda R and the street-legal Zonda F. Unveiled in 2008, it features a 7.3L naturally aspirated V12 engine from Mercedes-AMG, delivering 678 horsepower and 780 Nm of torque.
With a lightweight carbon-titanium chassis, it weighs just 1,210 kg, allowing it to jump from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 3.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 217 mph (350 km/h). The Cinque boasts a sequential six-speed gearbox, a redesigned active aerodynamics package, a roof-mounted air intake, and specially tuned suspension for superior handling.
Built with F1-derived materials, including carbon-ceramic brakes and magnesium wheels, the Zonda Cinque remains one of Pagani’s most bold and respected machines.
The next car on display is irrefutably the most beautiful automotive to grace the road. The Zonda Revolución is why people call Horacio Pagani an artist first and a carmaker second. Granted there are only five in existence, this specific example is 1 of 1. One of five Revolucións, but the only Zonda Revolución Barchetta in the entire world.
Zonda Revolución Barchetta
The Zonda Revolución Barchetta is a one-off, ultra-exclusive masterpiece that represents the pinnacle of the Zonda lineage. Built as the ultimate evolution of the Zonda, it combines extreme aerodynamics, lightweight construction, and a striking open-top barchetta design.
Under the hood, it features a 6.0L naturally aspirated AMG V12, producing 800 hp and 538 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 6-speed sequential gearbox. With a carbon-titanium chassis, it weighs just 1,070 kg (2,359 lbs), allowing for concerningly quick track times.
Advanced aerodynamics, including an F1-style Drag Reduction System (DRS), enhance downforce and speed. As a tribute to the Zonda’s legacy, the Revolución Barchetta stands as one of the most extreme and rarest Pagani creations ever built.
As hard as it is to compete with the Revo Barchetta, the Zonda R comes quite close. As said before, Pagani produces pieces of art that grab you. The Zonda R is Pagni’s attempt to make you grab the art, and by that I mean the safety handles. The R is the ultimate Pagani track weapon that no one saw coming from the automotive Van Goh.
Zonda R
The Zonda R, unveiled in 2009, is a track-only hypercar designed as the ultimate performing version of the Zonda series. Built with an ultra-light carbon-titanium chassis, it weighs just 1,070 kg (2,359 lbs), making it one of the most extreme track cars ever produced.
Its roaring power comes from a 6.0L naturally aspirated V12 engine developed by Mercedes-AMG, delivering 740 hp and 710 Nm (524 lb-ft) of torque. Paired with a six-speed sequential gearbox, the Zonda R rockets from 0-60 mph in just 2.7 seconds, with a top speed exceeding 218 mph.
Its advanced aerodynamics, including a massive rear wing and aggressive diffuser, generate immense downforce, ensuring unparalleled grip on the track.
Limited to just 15 units, the Zonda R was never street-legal but cemented its place in automotive history by lapping the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 6 minutes and 47 seconds, making it one of the fastest cars of its time and proving to the world the performance capabilities of Pagani.
