Pagani Automobili S.p.A. is an Italian manufacturer of sports cars and carbon fibre. The company was founded in 1992 by Horacio Pagani, and is based in San Cesario sul Panaro, near Modena, Italy.

1 History 2 Relationship with Daimler 3 Pagani Zonda 3.1 Future models 4 See also 5 References 6 External links

[edit] History

Horacio Pagani, an Argentinian-born Italian, who formerly managed Lamborghini's composite department, founded Pagani Composite Research in 1988. This new company worked with Lamborghini on numerous projects, including the restyling of the 25th Anniversary Countach, the P140 design concept, and the Diablo. In the late 1980s, Pagani began designing his own car, then referred to as the "C8 Project". Pagani planned to rename the C8 the "Fangio F1" to honor five-time Formula One champion Juan Manuel Fangio.

In 1991 Pagani established Modena Design to meet the increasing demand for his design, engineering, and prototyping services. In 1992, he began construction of a Fangio F1 prototype, and by 1993, the car was being tested at the Dallara wind tunnel with positive results. In 1994, Mercedes-Benz agreed to supply Pagani with V12 engines.

The final car was named the Zonda C12; the Fangio F1 name was dropped out of respect for Fangio, who died in 1995. It was first presented at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show.

In 2005, Pagani announced that it planned to triple its production output within the next three years, and to enter the US market in 2007.

On the 25th of September 2007 Pagani claimed a new record for production super cars using the Pagani Zonda F Clubsport by completing the Nürburgring in 7:27:82, but has since been beaten by other cars including the 2009 Corvette ZR1 which lapped the ring about a second faster. ^[1]

[edit] Relationship with Daimler

While it is an independent company, Pagani has a working relationship with Daimler AG, most notably, with Mercedes' AMG arm. This is partly due to the fact that Fangio had suggested that Pagani approach Mercedes. The Zonda has used increasingly advanced versions of the M120 V12; the initial version displaced 6.0L, but current Zondas use a 7.3L motor. Pagani has also assisted in the development of the Chrysler ME Four-Twelve.

[edit] 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 car's design was inspired by jet fighters and the famous Sauber-Mercedes Silver Arrow Group C cars, and features several unique design elements, including its circular four pipe exhaust.

The Zonda production run will end with ten track-only Zonda R models.

• 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
• Zonda R Clubsport

[edit] Future models

Pagani has announced that a new car, code named "Cinque", will be introduced in the near future as a 2009 model. The Cinque will not be based on the Zonda, but will feature a next-generation Mercedes-Benz V12 and active aerodynamics