The global economy may be on the outs but Pagani is moving forward with the development of an all-new Zonda F — the first major update in the car’s 10-year history. Spy photographers spotted Pagani’s latest supercar undergoing a series of tests in North America, with the new Zonda F inching towards production ready.
Up front, this next-generation Zonda F will get an all-new front clip. In back, the rear quarter panels have been re-sculpted to allow for significantly increased airflow. The rear diffuser has also been redesigned and there is a totally new air scoop that sticks up from the middle of the engine cover.
Inside the previously spied prototype, we can see the “Zonda F” nameplate above several toggle switches. Other than a new shifter, we don’t see any major interior changes.
This Pagani has absolutely enormous 335/30/ZR20 Pirelli P Zero Rosso tires in back and 255/35/ZR19 tires in front. Inside the wheels are equally enormous carbon ceramic brake rotors.
What powerplant this supercar might be packing is a bit of a mystery. Pagani certainly wants to keep the motor a secret as the clear engine compartment panels were covered with black tape. Judging from the new, larger air intakes on this prototype, whichever motor resides under the cover obviously needs more airflow than the Mercedes AMG 7.3L V8 found in the current Zonda F.
There are rumors of the 5.4L supercharged V8 from the McLaren SLR 722 or perhaps the bi-turbo V12 from the recently debuted Mercedes SL65 AMG Black series providing motivation for the Zonda F. Whatever the motor – which will be sourced from AMG — it should be good for 600-700hp.
The new car is being designed for the U.S. and Japan and should be ready for launch sometime in 2009. Although pricing is far from official, expect an MSRP of at least $650,000. Because of high demand, Pagani will also boost production to 60 cars a year, up from its current annual production of 16 units.
11/13, 4:37 PM
posted by:
yarddog82abn
MAN….. IF ONLY I HAD THE MONEY…..
11/13, 4:39 PM
posted by:
Ketzer
Not one of the sexiest looks/designs in the supercar market. Hope this is a cobble of some rough prototype pieces. The fit and finish on the body is awful.
11/13, 4:45 PM
posted by:
Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3
I don’t know that I could own said vehicle as my constant muscle spasm in my right foot would eventually result in a perpetual pedal-to-metal affection leading to an off-the-road embankment jettison as ultra-speed. Thus, leading to my achieving front page news on Wrecked Exotics.
11/13, 5:59 PM
posted by:
tyler_is_aero_tt
Oooh I likey!!
11/13, 6:04 PM
posted by:
F3INT))AP3X
Ketzer that is pretty close if not the final product itself, Zonda’s have always looked this way for several reasons. First these bodies are handmade largely from composites and are very light as well as being extremely aerodynamic and geared for major downforce. Secondly I think one of the primary goals of the Zonda has always been to design a true supercar in not just performance but looks as well. I agree the styling can be sort of “love it/hate it” but the point is that everything on it is wild and out of control like a supercar should be sort of like the old Lambo Countaches. I think these days a lot of sports and supercars seem to have a reserved conservative styling or a sort of subtlety about their true natures. The Zonda breaks this strange trend and comes out with the insane quad exhaust config, unique and outrageous body pieces and lights, unique interior, it really is one of the few TRUE supercars. You can tell everything on this car is built from the ground up with no borrowed pieces from parent companies or shared tech, the only piece I guess you could say is foreign is the 7.3L AMG V12 but liek the article says that engine may not be in the car which brings me to my next point. I am sure they are working on something even faster but I have always admired the 7.3L AMG mill in the Zonda; it just seems to fit well with the car with its big displacement and super-throaty sound as well as fitting with the rest of the cars goal of being totally different from anything else out there. Long comment I know but lastly I want to comment on the intakes on top of the quarter panels; what happened? I realize they sculpted them for more aero performance but if you look at the current Zonda they are these crazy pointed intakes that are much more pronounced and aggressive looking; I have to say I miss those intakes over the new ones but overall its not the biggest deal even if they do kind of make it look like an F430 quarter panel intake.
11/13, 7:22 PM
posted by:
carbonsigma
“…the Mercedes AMG 7.3L V8 found in the current Zonda F.”
It’s a V12.
11/13, 7:43 PM
posted by:
nowei
Ketzer, you’re right about the weird fit of the panels, but I would imagine that’s a prototype thing. In general, I have to say that I think the Zonda is an amazing looking car.
And as for the engine being sourced from a manufacturer, this is technically true, but the AMG V12s used by Pagani were only ever used in a handful of SL AMGs that are probably approaching the Zonda in terms of value and rarity.
11/13, 7:47 PM
posted by:
ckron247
No matter how anyone feels about the looks of that car! It is a bad ass super car. The Zonda can hang with the best of them!
11/13, 8:14 PM
posted by:
VWgrouP
This is one of those super ugly super rare super cars. Why cant anyone make nice looking super cars anymore?
11/13, 10:00 PM
posted by:
Ketzer
I definately wasnt trying to call it ugly. Look at that front wheel arch, the panels are waaayy off. Also the side skirt looks very tacked on with that huge gap down the side between it and the door. Its a tech marvel with huge power and quality parts, just seems a little rough around the edges. Now my broke azz will go back to driving my outdated TT.
11/13, 10:44 PM
posted by:
atoms
i have to agree with ketzer on this, the gaps on the body work look a tad too big to be standard ones that slipped by quality control, i think certain elements visible now are due for the new car, but the body work might be the old design just for testing while the new lines are drawn up by the design team, for example the rear scoop, it looks like a snow shovel, now i know zonda is capable of something more visually appealing, although i must say it looks damn sexy right now
11/14, 12:28 AM
posted by:
jonmiles
I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks that this is a step backwards in design…
11/14, 12:29 AM
posted by:
jonmiles
… sidenote: “carbonsigma” – do you actually own an Audi R8?
11/14, 1:44 PM
posted by:
downhillwarrior
Car holds similar angles of a classic Jaguar XJR15.
11/17, 1:09 AM
posted by:
wrbwrxmax
I’m not liking the new front end… we’ve got the classic Zonda look from the hood to the headlights and then below the lights, it just goes nuts. Looks very “OM NOM NOM” fish-mouth, too.
11/30, 5:12 PM
posted by:
ez5698
I don’t see much difference… just a yucky grille. Maybe it will be a better performer, but otherwise nothing much. It’s still a stunning car.
12/04, 4:47 AM
posted by:
koenigsegg ccr
I like but id get a koenigsegg ccr over this any day.
07/20, 4:55 PM
posted by:
ace
me to