Pagani’s upcoming successor to the Zonda, code named C9, will be the Italian automaker’s latest and greatest, set to debut at the 2011 Geneva Auto Show. Just to give us a little bit of a teaser of what we can expect from the next generation Zonda, Pagani has released quite the teaser video of the upcoming C9.

The video features Horatio Pagani sipping a cup of coffee. Exciting huh? Well, he does pick up a small scale model car. Could this be just the tease of how the C9′s design will be? We can’t wait to see the finished product, featuring the 6.0L V12 AMG powerplant that will pump out around 700-hp and 750 lb-ft of torque.

Check out the video after the jump:

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The Christmas crunch is on, and if you’re still looking for a few more gifts to fill up your Santa sack, may we suggest the first Pagani Automobili Official Monograph.

A book you’ll never want to put down, the Pagani Automobili Official Monograph is stunning and huge, and covers the complete, rich history of Mr. Horacio Pagani and his creation, the Zonda. Its 228 full color pages cover the supercar’s inception right up to present day, from its beginnings to recent innovations. It also features complete technical data, breathtaking images and some fun facts you probably didn’t know.

You can order the Pagani Automobili Official Monograph at http://www.edizioniarteimmagine.it/.

[Source: Pagani]

Pagani’s new C9 supercar will get an all-new, custom made AMG motor, according to a statement just released by the company. The bulletin states that

The engine of the Pagani C9 is not a derivative of the AMG V12 engine developed for the SL65 Black Series, nor is the AMG V12 engine in the SL65 Black Series derived from the engine AMG is currently developing for the Pagani C9.The cars are very different in their character and conception and the engine will reflect this in its technical characteristics and behavior. The engine in the Pagani C9 has been developed specifically for that application by Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

Pagani has previously used AMG V12s, specifically the rare, but not tailor-made 7.3L V12 that was featured in ultra-rare vehicles like the limited production SL63. With AMG moving to turbocharged powerplants and smaller V8s, it’s possible that the new C9 will continue using a naturally aspirated V12, one that would require low volume production by AMG. Pagani has been able to use AMG engines due to parent company Mercedes-Benz’s relationship with Juan Manuel Fangio, a long-time Mercedes driver.

Pagani’s Zonda supercar is the exotic that just won’t quit. Despite a production run of nearly 10 years, and replacement rumors that rival JFK assassination theories.

While a replacement is supposed to be on the way, Pagani is still accepting commissions for new Zondas, and their latest creation, the Zonda RAK, has been ordered up by German auto dealer Auto Salon Singen.

Mechanically identical to the Zonda Cinque, the supercar gets a 700 horsepower V12, but is set apart by its black and yellow paint scheme, which makes the Zonda RAK look like a pissed off insect. If this is your kind of thing, get on a plane to Germany with 1.85 million Euros, and the car is yours.

[Source: Teamspeed]

Pagani’s tradition of accepting commissions for custom made Zonda supercars doesn’t look like it’s stopping any time soon, and their latest creation, the Zonda 750, is either a cruel practical joke, or the machinations of an eccentric rich guy whose aesthetic sensibilities have gone off the deep end.

Aside from the awful paint job, the Zonda 750 gets a custom rear window, and possibly a horsepower bump from 678 to 750 horsepower. For now, we only have these concept draws to go by. Hopefully, that’s all we’ll ever see of this strange creation.

Gallery: Pagani Zonda 750

[Source: Autoblog.it]

One of 15 of the greatest supercars in the world will be auctioned off on October 27th in London. Currently they’re estimating that it’ll go for around $2.2 million, so if you’ve ever been contemplating grabbing yourself a Pagani Zonda R, you better book your flight now to save a few bucks.

And in case you’re just really rich and know nothing about cars, stumbling across this post in a random state of mind, the Zonda R features a V12 AMG powerplant that throws down 750-hp and 524 ft-lbs of torque. Combined with the amazing carbon fiber chassis, the car blasts from 0-60 mph in 2.7 measly seconds. Better yet, it’ll spank your buddies Ferrari 599XX.

Interested? Chassis number five will be at RM Auctions’ Automobiles of London at Battersea Evolution on October 27th. Good luck!

[Source: Topspeed]

Plus, check out a video the Zonda R’s record-setting Nurburgring lap time after the jump:

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Aston Martin is claiming that their upcoming One-77 supercar, with a 7.3L V12 putting out 750 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. The closest competitor in the power stakes is the Pagani Zonda Clubsport, which puts out similar torque but only 681 horsepower.

Only 77 examples will be built for an estimated cost of $1.8 million dollars. “The One-77 is approaching a production reality and of course, there is considerable excitement in the project. Now the next steps are all about details and refinement to complete the composition. I know the final car will demonstrate what the Aston Martin team is capable of,” said Ulrich Bez, Aston Martin’s CEO, to Autocar.

[Source: Autocar]

Pagani seems to make quite a few special edition Zonda’s, and we’d be proud to own any of them. The Tricolore is particularly awesome because it pays tribute to the Italian Air Force’s elite aerobatics team, the Frecce Tricolori.

As the squad is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year, Pagani decided to honor them with a special edition Zonda Tricolore.  The video is pretty low drama as far as car action goes, but if you like airplanes, it’s worth a look.

Hit the jump to check out the Pagani Zonda Tricolore in action

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Pagani’s successor to the Zonda, code named the C9, will continue to rely on AMG for motivation, but in a new twin-turbo format. According to a new report by AutoCar, the Zonda successor will rely on the 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 engine currently used in Mercedes models like the SL600 and SL65, making around 690-hp and 737 ft-lbs of torque.

The choice of engine is part of a larger plan by Pagani to expand into the lucrative U.S. market.

The Zonda model never met EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) or DOT (Department of Transportation) regulations and so it could not be driven in the U.S. Using this new engine, the new emissions regs won’t be an issue (although don’t expect good fuel economy) and an all new chassis made of carbon-titanium is being designed to meet DOT rules.

Pagani is expected to debut the C9 at the Geneva Auto Show next March with sales to begin later that year.

[Source: AutoCar]

Automotive News, not generally known for its “enthusiast content” published a blog about Germany’s famed 13-mile Nurburgring race track, and how car companies are touting their ‘Ring times more and more in their advertising campaigns. We can’t help but wonder how many cars will be sold on that basis, and whether it’s worth paying attention to Nurburgring lap times anymore.

Hit the jump for more

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As if being able to own a Pagani Zonda wasn’t good enough, the mystery owner of ths Zonda HH has decided to pick and choose his components to create his own one-off  Zonda.

Called the Zonda HH,it uses most of the bodywork from a Zonda F Roadster, but sports the powerplant of the 680-hp Cinque. In addition, almost all of the newest technology available to Zonda will be utilized including the carbon-titanium tub and ceramic coated titanium exhaust.

Interestingly enough, the driver opted for a manual transmission to be mated to the AMG V12 rather than the traditional paddles we’ve seen on Zonda Rs. But we can’t argue with him, a true passionate motorsports aficionado would prefer the thrill of shifting gears over tapping a paddle any day of the week.

Knowing Zonda we’re sure to see more pictures of this Italian supercar pop up in the coming months, and we’ll be sure not to leave you longing if we find any great Zonda HH videos.

[Source: Teamspeed]

GALLERY: Pagani Zonda HH

Pagani has just released a complete video documenting the Zonda R’s outrageously fast 6:47 Nürburgring lap time. Set several weeks ago, that time tops the Ferrari 599XX’s best of 6:58 in the somewhat irrelevant category of production-based cars. What that means is, while the Zonda R might have a production chassis underneath it, it’s definitely not street legal.

The Zonda R is a track-only machine weighing just 2,359 lbs and powered by a 6.0-liter AMG V12 engine that makes an incredible 750-hp and 524 ft-lbs of torque. That’s enough for a 0-60 mp time of just 2.7 seconds, using a mid-engine, rear-drive setup with a paddle-shift sequential gearbox.

The street legal lap still belongs to the Radical SR8LM with a time of 6:48. But that’s also a bit ridiculous, as the Radical is just a street-legal prototype race car and it’s not even legal in most countries. The runner up in the production class is another odd-ball, the Gumpert Apollo, with a 7:11.57. Although it’s hard to classify that vehicle as a production car. Finally, and more reasonably, there’s the 7:22 of the Dodge Viper ACR.

But enough with the stats. Check out some incredible driving after the jump.

See the video after the jump:

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As Pagani winds down production of their Zonda supercar, a specially comissioned version, known as the Zonda HH, is being built for a wealthy American customer. According to internet forum Teamspeed, this example will have the most powerful engine available mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox and the body will be painted a special Lamborghini blue.

With 680 horsepower on tap, the Zonda HH will also get the top pick of all parts, with a special carbon titanium tub (the only road car in the world using such a structure), center lock wheels, carbon brakes and a titanium exhaust system rounding out the spec sheet.  The “owner” describes it as a cross between a Zonda Cinque and a Zonda F.

Hit the jump to read the post from the owner of the Pagani Zonda HH.

[Source: Teamspeed]

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Pagani namesake Horacio Pagani told Britain’s EVO Magazine that he’d like to see a smaller, cheaper, V8 model come to fruition in the next few years.

Of course, smaller and cheaper for Pagani means it costs only $500,000, rather than the full million for a Zonda, and it would likely use AMG’s 6.2L V8 (or the new 5.5 V8 twin-turbo) rather than the 7.3L V12.

Pagani currently builds 40 cars per year, so increased volumes, to the tune of a few hundred cars or so, would likely have to happen for this to be profitable. Expect it to look like the upcoming C9 (seen in spy photos above).

[Source: World Car Fans]

The Pagani Zonda R’s new record setting Nurburgring lap time of 6:47 has been captured on video, although the clip is a little light on driving action.

Clocking in at only 1:56, the montage is curious substitute for a real lap time video. We’d like to see an extended version of this clip, with all the awesome in-car sound effects. Better yet, lets see Pagani take a Zonda wheel-to-wheel racing, since, as Axis of Oversteer correctly points out, the Nurburgring record is solely for bragging rights.

[Source: Axis of Oversteer]

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Pagani has once again proven that its cars can go as fast as they look, setting a new production-based car Nürburgring record of 6:47. This bests the recent record set by the Ferrari 599XX of 6:58. The Zonda R’s new time also bests all times posted by street-legal cars, including the fastest street-legal “production car,” the Radical SR8LM with a time of 6:48. Other top-contenders include the Gumpert Apollo with a 7:11.57, and the Dodge Viper ACR with a time of 7:22.

Like the 599XX, the Zonda R is a track-only machine weighing just 2,359 lbs and powered by a 6.0-liter AMG V12 engine that makes an incredible 750-hp and 524 ft-lbs of torque. That’s enough for a 0-60 mp time of just 2.7 seconds, using a mid-engine, rear-drive setup with a paddle-shift sequential gearbox that’s three times as fast as anything Ferrari has.

[Source: Pistonheads]

See after the jump for a video detailing the Zonda R, as well as the 599XX’s Nürburgring run

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Horacio Pagani, the namesake founder of Pagani Automobili, isn’t one to let a bit of bad weather spoil his fun. Every year, Pagani hosts an exclusive automotive parade for owners of his cars called “The Vanishing Point”, ostensibly named after the 1971 car chase film. This years event was a little damp and overcast, but that didn’t stop a nice collection of cars from coming out.

In attendance were a few Zondas, a Gulf-oil liveried Ford GT, a Mercedes-Benz SLS, a Ferrari Enzo and a Volkswagen Eurovan. Some less-than sporty luxury sedans also came out, including a Rolls-Royce Phantom, a Bentley Continental Flying Spur and a Lexus LS. Predictably, the drivers were largely of the silver-haired demographic, and their passengers were long-legged, attractive women a fraction of their age.

The video of the event is hardly the most professional, but the sound of multiple V12s bouncing off the stone walls of an Italian piazza will make up for the shaky visuals.

Hit the jump for more Italian supercar action

[Source: GTSpirit.com]

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The Pagani Zonda is an incredible car, the culmination of one man’s dream to build a supercar that would honor the legacy of Juan Manuel Fangio, one of the greatest Formula 1 drivers of all time.

As Zonda production comes to a close, the last example to ever be built is also the brainchild of one man. But while Horacio Pagani had to struggle and climb his way to the top to see his vision realized, the Qatari royal who is commissioning the very last Zonda, titled the Zonda Uno is able to simply throw money at whatever he wants.

The biggest detail change seems to be the robin’s egg blue color that the Qatari Royal Family’s other cars are apparently painted. No details about any mechanical changes have been announced, but rest assured it’s stupidly fast, and sounds like the Armageddon, so what else do you need to know?

[Source: Autoblog]

The Bugatti Veyron might be faster, the Pagani Zonda more eye-catching and the Ferrari Enzo more extravagant. Nevertheless, the McLaren F1 is still regarded by most enthusiasts as the greatest car ever made, bar none. The F1 was the physical manifestation of the dreams of Gordon Murray, a savant engineer whose personal quirks ingrained in the car’s design. There’s no radio, because Murray hated listening to the radio, but there’ is a top-notch hi-fi for your own music. The engine was a BMW V12 that had more in common with an F1 engine than the opulent 12-cylinders that powered the 750iL and 850i luxo-barges. The driver sat in the middle of the car, and the engine was lined with gold, for better heat dissipation.

With the 20th anniversary of this monumental car approaching, McLaren decided to honor the F1′s owners with a dinner at the company’s headquarters in Woking, England. 21 McLaren F1s made an appearance, and with less than 100 cars in existence (and roughly 70 of those registered for road use), it was possibly the largest ever gathering of McLaren F1s.

Hit the jump to read the McLaren press release.

[Source: Autoblog]

Gallery: McLaren F1 Gathering

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If the Pagani Zonda R promo video isn’t the coolest thing you see today, please post a link to what is – because we really want to see it. The hardest-core of Paganis, the Zonda R is a track-duty version of the Italian supercar, weighing just 2,359 lbs and powered by a 6.0-liter AMG V12 engine that makes an incredible 750-hp and 524 ft-lbs of torque. That’s enough for a 0-60 mp time of just 2.7 seconds, using a mid-engine, rear-drive setup with a paddle-shift sequential gearbox that’s three times as fast as anything Ferrari has.

Built specifically for the race track, it gets an FIA homolgated roll cage and racing seats with five-point safety harnesses, which are needed to keep the driver in place. After all, the Zonda R can pull incredible g-forces, with 3,307 lbs of downforce that allows the car to (theoretically, anyway) drive upside down.

The Pagani Zonda R will be produced in a limited number with Horacio Pagani signing each vehicle. The cost of ownership is extraordinary, with an MSRP of 1,460,000 Euros or roughly $1.9 million.

Check out the video after the jump:

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We ogled over the photos when Pagani announced its limited edition Zonda Tricolore model last week and, as expected, it looks even more impressive in it’s blue-tinted carbon fiber flesh. A salute to the the Frecce Tricolore, Italy’s famous air force acrobatics team, this special edition special Zonda supercar is based on the Zonda Cinque. It uses a special carbon-titanium weave for the body, which has been coated in a special clear blue lacquer. In addition it gets the red, white and green stripes of the Italian flag pinstriped up the front of the car.

Like the Cinque, it is powered by an AMG-sourced 7.3-liter V12 engine with (we presume) an identical 678-hp and 575 ft-lbs of torque. Other highlights include LED lights and magnesium wheels. Just one model will be built and sold (we’re sure its already sold) for 1.3 million Euros ($1.75 million).

The Zonda Tricolore is likely the last special edition Zonda model before Pagani delivers its replacement, code named C9. But until the Zonda is officially retired, browse through our gallery of photos below, showing what is easily one of the most beautiful automotive works of art ever created.

GALLERY: Pagani Zonda Tricolore

In a salute to the the Frecce Tricolore, Italay’s famous air force acrobatics team, Pagani has released a new special edition version of its incredible Zonda supercar. Based on the Zonda Cinque, the car uses a special carbon-titanium weave for the body, which has been coated in a special clear blue lacquer. In addition it gets the red, white and green stripes of the Italian flag pinstriped up the front of the car.

Like the Cinque, it is powered by an AMG-sourced 7.3-liter V12 engine with 678-hp and 575 ft-lbs of torque. Other highlights include LED lights and magnesium wheels. Just one model will be built and sold (we’re sure its already sold) for 1.3 million Euros ($1.75 million).

The Zonda Tricolore is likely the last special edition Zonda model before Pagani delivers its replacement, code named C9. The new model is set to be unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show next week and we’ll be sure to bring you more details and lots of photos with live coverage of the show starting Monday, March 1st.

Click here for AutoGuide’s live 2010 Geneva Auto Show coverage starting Monday, March 1st.

GALLERY: Pagani Zonda Tricolore

Thanks to a citizen journalist, or should we say citizen spy photographer, we now have several images of Pagani’s upcoming Zonda replacement, the C9. These photos of the car were shot by an Autoblog reader who passed by the transport rig parked on the side of the highway in near the airport in Johannesburg, South Africa. Most likely this isn’t a very accurate idea of what the C9 will look like and it appears as though this test mule is using a modified Zonda body to cover up the important parts underneath.

According to the now-amateur spy photographer, many automakers test vehicles in South Africa, using large areas of unused public road – hence the stickers.

What we do know about the C9 is that it will be built of carbon and titanium and will also be powered by a V12 engine. The new V12 will displace 6.0-liters, however, and make 690-hp and 737 ft-lbs of torque. Company owner Horacio Pagani has said that the new model will meet U.S. crash test and emissions regulations, meaning that unlike the Zonda it will be sold in the U.S.

GALLERY: Pagani C9 Spied

[Source: Autoblog]

Italian supercar manufacturer Pagani is preparing its successor to the incredible Zonda and company founder Horacio Pagani has let slip a few new details about the upcoming exotic. Referred to by its code name, C9, this new model will have an entirely new design. We applaud this as Pagani has released dozens of different Zonda models since the supercar first debuted at the Geneva Auto Show back in 1999, however, coming up with a design as stunning and timeless as the current one will be difficult.

The chassis of the car will be build of carbon and titanium, with specially built tires from Pirelli.

As for the engine, like the Zonda, the C9 will also be powered by an AMG V12 but with a dispalcement of 6.0-liters and an output of 690-hp and an incredible 737 ft-lbs of torque.

According to Horacio Pagani, the new model will meet U.S. crash test and emissions regulations, meaning that unlike the Zonda it will be sold in North America.

Pricing is going to be in the range of $900,000 Euros, or roughly $1.2 million. As for production capacity, Pagani is hoping to build roughly 40 a year. That might not sound like much, but the current Zonda model takes almost a month to complete, meaning that Pagani only sells abotu 12 models in a year.

[Source: AutoCar]