Back
FEATURE
There's hypercars and then there's the Pagani Zonda F
Published Sun, Jun 5, 2022 9:30 AM
There are super cars, there are hypercars, and then there are cars like Pagani’s insane Zonda. As one of just 25, this Zonda F is the best of the best, and is right up there on the ooof scale.
WHO?
If you haven’t heard of Pagani, you’re on the wrong page. They may not know how to build race winning cars, but they are responsible for one of the most bonkers cars ever made-a machine that can moisten any gold digger’s underwear at a ¼ mile; The Zonda.
Launched in 1999, the earliest Zondas had a 6.0 V12, liberated from Mercedes’ flagship S-Class, with either 395 or 444bhp, mated up to a 5-speed manual box. They looked insane, but weren’t quite in hypercar territory at that point, with a 0-60 of 4 seconds.
Over the next few years, Pagani would play around with a few combinations, before launching the Zonda S, with a modified AMG 7.0 lump and a 6-speed box, means a 0-60 of 3.7 and 0-100 of just 7 seconds!
But it wasn’t until 2005 that we would see the first limited edition, insanely fast version of the Zonda-the F.
WHAT?
The Zonda F is the ultimate millionaire’s play thing. With capacity increased to a whopping 7.3 litres, as well as improved inlet and exhaust manifolds and an uprated ECU, power was increased to a none too shabby 594 normally-aspirated brake horse power.
It was, effectively, the “facelifted” Zonda, with a redesigned front nosecone, as well as larger rear wing and vents, and some serious reengineering under the skin. In fact, it would go on to form the basis of ever Zonda, until its retirement in 2017. In all, just 25 Fs would be made, along with 25 F Roadsters.
This particular F is rather special, as it’s fitted with the optional carbon ceramic brake package, as well as the Inconel exhaust system, which means that not only does it sound like the God of Thunder stuck in a biscuit tin, but it stops on a dime too.
It is, also, and I don’t think we need to point this out, absolutely spectacular to look at. Finished in unpainted gloss carbon, in the flesh this thing is insane. It has serious presence. Normally we’re not fans of red interiors, but on something as bonkers as a Zonda, it’s almost rude not to have it finished in something lairy. Not like snakeskin lairy, but, ya know…
WHAT?
The Zonda F is the ultimate millionaire’s play thing. With capacity increased to a whopping 7.3 litres, as well as improved inlet and exhaust manifolds and an uprated ECU, power was increased to a none too shabby 594 normally-aspirated brake horse power.
It was, effectively, the “facelifted” Zonda, with a redesigned front nosecone, as well as larger rear wing and vents, and some serious reengineering under the skin. In fact, it would go on to form the basis of ever Zonda, until its retirement in 2017. In all, just 25 Fs would be made, along with 25 F Roadsters.
This particular F is rather special, as it’s fitted with the optional carbon ceramic brake package, as well as the Inconel exhaust system, which means that not only does it sound like the God of Thunder stuck in a biscuit tin, but it stops on a dime too.
It is, also, and I don’t think we need to point this out, absolutely spectacular to look at. Finished in unpainted gloss carbon, in the flesh this thing is insane. It has serious presence. Normally we’re not fans of red interiors, but on something as bonkers as a Zonda, it’s almost rude not to have it finished in something lairy. Not like snakeskin lairy, but, ya know…
HOW?
As you’d expect Zondas aren’t cheap and you’ll have to dig even deeper to pick up the highly sought-after F model which would set you back around $1.1m, with the Roadster coming in at a staggering $1.4m.
Nowadays most Zondas are in the hands of collectors which makes it staggeringly rare to find one for sale and when you do, you’ll need to budget north of £2m for one with an F or the super-rare Tricolore model adding at least another £1m onto that base figure.
WHERE?
Rick Noel was lucky enough to get up close and personal with this Zonda F at The Hampton Court Concours of Elegance, basking in the late summer sun amongst its priceless peers.
If you’ve never had the opportunity to visit, it’s a must see event. Hosted by HRH Prince Michael of Kent, it brings together more than 300 of the world’s rarest and most valuable cars, and if you’ve got petrol running through your veins like we have, will leave you weak at the knees.
