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Pagani Automobili

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This article is about the Italian automobile manifacturer. For the Italian city with the same name, see Pagani, Italy.
Pagani Automobili S.p. A.
Company typePrivate
IndustryAutomotive
Founded1992 by Horacio Pagani
HeadquartersSan Cesario sul Panaro, Modena, Italy
Key people
Horacio Pagani, CEO and President
ProductsSupercars
Websitewww.paganiautomobili.it

Pagani Automobili S.p. A. is an Italian automobile manufacturer of high-performance supercars and high-quality carbon fiber that Lamborghini also uses in its cars. The company was founded by Horacio Pagani, an Argentinian-Italian, living in Italy; at San Cesario sul Panaro (Modena, Italy). Also involved at the outset was Juan Manuel Fangio, a five-time Formula One champion who helped him get a job with Lamborghini.

History

In 1988, Horacio Pagani, former manager of Lamborghini's composite department put up Pagani Composite Research. This new company worked extensively with Lamborghini on numerous projects, including the restyling of the Countach Anniversary, P140 and the Diablo. It was also during this time that Horacio started conceptualizing his own car, then called the "C8 Project," and eventually showing his drawings to Juan Manuel Fangio who he planned to name the car after (as the Fangio F1).

In 1991 Horacio Pagani set up Modena Design to meet the increasing demand for the services of design, engineering, model construction, moulds and prototypes. In 1992, he started construction of the prototype for the Fangio F1 and by 1993, they were testing the car at the Dallara wind tunnel, to positive results. It was around then that Fangio introduced Pagani to Mercedes-Benz and by 1994, they agreed to supply a V12 engine.

The final car, now called the Zonda C12 (the Fangio F1 name was dropped out of respect for Juan Manuel Fangio who had passed away) was presented at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show.

In 2005, Pagani announced that they planned to triple their production output within the next three years and at the same time, enter into the US market by 2007.

Relationship With DaimlerChrysler

While it is an independent company, Pagani has a working relationship with DaimlerChrysler, most notably, with AMG. AMG supplies and develops V12 engines for Pagani, for years now the Zonda has used increasingly more developed versions of the M120 V12, starting with the 6.0 litre to the current 7.3 litre developed from the engine used in the SL65 AMG. Outside of that, Pagani has also helped with the development of the Chrysler ME Four-Twelve supercar.

Pagani Cars

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 engines are for exclusive use on this vehicle. The car's design was inspired by jet fighters and the famous Sauber-Mercedes Silver Arrow Group C cars. Many motoring journalists say that the Zonda F is one of the best supercars in the world. One of the most distinctive features of a Pagani is its stylized exhaust pipe.

  • 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

Future Models

Pagani has already announced that a new car, not based on the Zonda, temporarily called the C9 will be introduced in the near future utilizing the next-generation Mercedes-Benz V12. The target for the vehicle is for it to have around 627 lb ft. of torque coupled with a new Bosch traction control system. The car will also feature full active aerodynamics, replacing the exposed wings of the Zonda.[1]

Trivia

  • In series 7 of Top Gear, Pagani was casually referred to (during a review of the Ascari KZ-1) as the only new manufacturer to have truly joined the "supercar club" in recent years, being, according to presenter Richard Hammond, "as mad as a brush".

See also

In a recent commercial announcing Jay Z's return, Jay Z is seen driving a Pagani Zonda.

Template:Pagani

References

  1. ^ "Pagani Car News". Car and Driver. Retrieved August 11. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
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