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Pagani Zonda
Pagani Automobili is a sports car manufacturer established by Horacio
Pagani in 1992, one of the many wealthy Italians who have been captivated
by the mighty roar of a supercharged V12 engine. The company was
supposed to launch a sports car Fango F1 named after Juan Manuel
Fangio, a Formula One Champion. But after his untimely death, the
model name was changed to Zonda instead. The Zonda is the only model
that the company developed and improved upon, so different series
came about depending on the engine, body design and amenities integrated.
What is popular though are the Zonda C12, Zonda C12S, Zonda GR,
Zonda C12 S Monza, Zonda F, and Zonda R.
The Zonda C12 became the flagship design of the Zonda series, a
171.1 x 80.9 x 45.3 inches and 2756 pound sports car that is fitted
with a 6.0 liter Mercedes-Benz M120 V-12 engine that delivers 293.8kw
of muscle at 5200 rpm and a torque of 420.4 lbs.ft. at 3800 rpm.
Its body frame and chassis is made of carbon fiber, a rack &
pinion with power assist steering system, a vented Brembo Hydraulic
Power ceramic disc brakes with four Piston Calipers and a 6 speed
manual gear. The maximum speed is pegged at 185 mph for this particular
model.
The Zonda is rear-driven and the transmission is longitudinal mid-engine,
devised with a self-locking differential and outfitted with the
TCS standard twin plate clutch. To provide a more comfortable ride,
the Zonda employs an independent suspension system on its 4 wheels
with double "A" arms. To asssist the suspension system
are sets of Ohlin adjustable shock absorbers, anti-roll bars and
aluminum alloy suspension arms.
Engineers at Pagani put premium on aerodynamic design to correct
problems associated with wind drag, particularly when running and
cornering high speeds. The Zonda was designed with the nose elongated.
flaps are strategically located at the rear. Front and rear diffusers
give new depth to its aerodynamic design. Meanwhile, engineers at
Pagani incorporated new light clusters to improve on its aesthetics,
as well as redefine the design and importance of the exhaust system.
The Pagani Zonda will only manufacture a few units on each model.
Moreover, there are talks to limit production to 40. Thus, owning
one will be on an order first then buy basis. This becomes a handcrafted
car that can be customized to meet the buyer's requirements. Buyers
can request the choice of materials put into the make of the car,
particularly details on what precious leather to use or maybe components
in aluminum or carbon fiber because these are all hand-tailored
by craftsmen of Pagani's group. This is an assurance to buyers that
the final output will be a cacophony of sights, interior refinements,
scents, and audio system that will be in accordance with the preferences
and personality of the new owner.
All these innovations are typical with any Zonda model. What varies
though are the speed, torque and minor aerodynamic adjustments that
are normally associated with the type of engine utilized by the
car model. Remember that a Pagani bears the legacy of fine exotic
sports cars. In fact, the Zonda has been rated as one of the finest
Italian cars along with the Ferrari, Lamborghini and Bugatti.
Stay tuned also for the Pagani Zonda Cinque of which only 5 are
being built at around $1.5 million apiece and they will be due out
mid 2009.
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