Published: Feb 27, 2013

Did Pagani Cheat on Top Gear?

The Pagani Huayra recently set the Top Gear test track lap record - but did it cheat?

Top Gear season 19 kicked off last month, and in the opening episode the Stig recorded a new lap record of 1:13.8 in a Pagani Huayra, eclipsing the previous record held by the Ariel Atom V8 by 1.3 seconds as well as times set by the Lamborghini Aventador and McLaren 12C (not to mention everything else). While most viewers accepted the Italian hypercar setting the record, others have questioned how it could have beaten these cars that, on paper, are at least as quick... if not quicker.

more at CarBuzz:
Cops Ride on Lotus Wheels 2014 Volkswagen Polo Facelift Spied Screen Cars: Shelby GT500

According to Cars UK, people present when the Huayra set its top time voiced their concerns that something seemed off. Since then gearheads on the TeamSpeed forum have claimed the tires on the supercar were not road legal - and that the Huayra was in fact fitted with racing slicks with hard-to-spot hand-cut grooves. They have also questioned what other modifications may have been made to the Huyara prior to the record run. So did Pagani dabble in a spot of skullduggery? Only a new run around the Dunsfold track in stock tires will appease the doubters. Over to you Top Gear.