2008 Pagani Zonda F

It's no mistake that Pagani chose to use the "F" badging to represent the first step up in performance for the Zonda above the stock Zonda S; it's the last initial of the late Juan Manuel Fangio, the F1 champion driver who served as both a contributor to and inspiration for the original Zonda supercar. The Zonda F was first introduced in 2005 and represents a major reworking of the design with a modified front end and spoiler, new venting, and a hydroformed intake chamber. More and improved lighting is also present. The Italian supercar maker's attention to detail is such that even the side mirrors have been revamped to improve airflow around the car at high speeds.

As quick as the 555 hp V12 of the Zonda S may be, the Zonda F 's Mercedes-Benz engine is tuned even further by AMG and reaches 602 hp at a slightly higher 6150 rpm. Torque is also lifted slightly to just over 560 pound-feet but arrives at its peak at an earlier 4000 rpm. The acceleration gained from the extra power is slight -- 60 mph comes just a tenth of a second faster at 3.6 seconds -- but the overall power boost is enough to bring the car to a top speed of 214 mph.

The F's six-speed manual transmission remains the same as for the S. However, Pagani has worked with Brembo to develop optional carbon-ceramic brakes that stop the car more quickly than traditional metal discs: a Zonda F traveling at a brisk 125 mph can come to a complete halt in just 4.4 seconds. Carbon-ceramic brakes also typically last longer under hard braking and don't require warm-up time to provide full stopping power.

Design and trim

Aside from the small redesigns used to improve the performance of the car, the Zonda F's design is virtually identical to that of the S 7.3 -- though few owners are unlikely to complain. The interior continues to be draped in carbon, leather, and satin-touch aluminum and is meant to recall both the present and the past: jet-turbine air conditioning vents stand alongside leather door handles and glove compartments that recall deluxe luggage.

Slightly larger 19- and 20-inch magnesium wheels at the front and back replace the standard 18-inch alloys of the Zonda S.

Much like the S, however, the F is only available in one trim level with a multi-CD premium audio system and satellite navigation as standard. However, the carbon-ceramic brakes provide the Zonda F with an option not available to its slower counterpart.