Pagani Huayra Roadster BC Review: The Last Hurrah
It's been nearly a decade since the first Pagani Huayra was revealed as a successor to the company's revered Zonda. In that time, the Huayra has astounded with its breathtaking pace, hypercar looks, and stunning interior detailing. The Huayra Roadster BC is the last of the breed and will likely be the final chapter in the Huayra story before production of the range ceases. 'BC' is in reference to a New York real estate mogul named Benny Caiola - he became the first owner of a Zonda in the year 2000 and was a friend of Horacio Pagani. Sadly, Caiola passed away suddenly ten years later. In creating the more track-focused Roadster BC, Pagani's engineers tuned the AMG-sourced 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine to produce an epic 791 horsepower and 774 lb-ft of torque, with an expected 0-60 mph time of below three seconds. At over 60 pounds lighter than the Huayra Roadster, the BC also generates 1,102 lbs of downforce, ensuring phenomenal stability at high speeds and superb cornering. The stunningly crafted cabin is a masterpiece, as in previous Huayras. The 40 customers lucky enough to purchase a Huayra Roadster BC are at the helm of a truly special machine.
Specs and Trims: Pagani Huayra Roadster BC Models And Configurations
2021 Pagani Huayra Roadster BC
- Make
- Pagani
- Model
- Huayra
- Model Year
- 2021 Pagani Huayra Roadster BC
- Year
- 2021
- MSRP
- $3,500,000
- Engine
- 6.0L Twin-Turbo V12 Gas
- Horsepower
- 800 hp
- Transmission
- 7-Speed Sequential Manual Transmission
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive
- Torque
- 774 lb-ft @ 2000-5600 rpm
- Length
- 181.3 in
- Height
- 46 in
- Max Width
- 80.2 in
- Wheelbase
- 110 in
- Curb Weight
- 2,685 lbs
- Seating Capacity
- 2 seater
Huayra Roadster BC Exterior
Pagani doesn't do subtle, and the Huayra Roadster BC is yet another demonstration of how to attract attention from every angle. It's a pity that most people won't often see a bird's-eye view of this car, as it's one of the most spectacular angles. The massive rear wing is unique to the Roadster BC, and the front-end has enhancements to improve downforce. The leaf-shaped headlights are pure Pagani, and the rear looks like the car is ready to take off to another planet with those high-mounted, stacked quad tailpipes. Forged alloy wheels measure 20-inches in front and at the back, there are 21s. They're wrapped in Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tires, designed specifically for this car. The removable roof is made from lightweight carbon-fiber.
Dimensions
The Huayra Roadster BC isn't a small car, and that's reflected in a length of 181.3 inches and a width of 80.2 inches. The wheelbase measures 110 inches and height works out to a low 46 inches. With a dry weight of 2,756 lbs, the Huayra Roadster BC is over 60 lbs lighter than the Huayra Roadster.
| Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Curb Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 181.3 in | 110.0 in | 46.0 in | 80.2 in | 2,685.0 lbs |
Huayra Roadster BC Performance
Engine and Transmission
Like other Huayras, the Roadster BC is powered by an AMG-sourced twin-turbo V12. The 6.0-liter engine has been tuned specifically for this application, though, with power and torque up to 791 horsepower and 774 lb-ft, sent exclusively to the rear wheels. The turbos have been increased in size, four water-air intercoolers are used, and a revised engine management system is employed to help the V12 produce its prodigious outputs. It uses the Xtrac seven-speed single-clutch automated manual gearbox that is significantly lighter than more common dual-clutch units. The transmission is definitely smoother than before, but it still requires careful throttle modulation to execute ideal gear changes. However, it's a lot better than, for instance, BMW's older SMG units. Get onto an open stretch of road, and the gearbox's shifts take second priority to the engine's thrust. The Roadster BC is massively quick and, although official performance figures haven't been released, it's a fair assumption that 60 mph will come up in under three seconds. Passing power is similarly brutal and with enough asphalt, a top speed well in excess of 200 mph can be reached.
Handling and Driving Impressions
Lighter than the Huayra Roadster and with even more power, the BC is an epic machine to drive. Compared with that car, the BC benefits from even sharper responses from the engine and smoother, quicker shifts from the gearbox. The front tires are said to be the widest found on any Huayra and contribute to sensational grip, with a maximum 2.2 g of lateral acceleration. The rubber has also been designed to increase feel, better communicating to the driver when the BC's considerable grip limits are being approached. The carbo-titanium and carbo-triax monocoque was prohibitively expensive to develop, but contributes to the drop-top BC feeling utterly rigid and secure at all times. Aiding downforce is an active aerodynamics system along with a specially designed rear wing, improving stability at speeds far in excess of the legal limit. The steering, too, has been sharpened up for the BC, allowing the driver to accurately place the roadster. And despite the fury of the engine and quick reflexes of the Pagani, it's surprisingly compliant in Comfort mode. Massive Brembo brakes with six-piston calipers in front do a great job of bringing the BC back down to less hazardous speeds.
Huayra Roadster BC Gas Mileage
EPA figures for the Roadster BC haven't yet been released, but the slightly less powerful Huayra released previously, returns 11/17/13 mpg on the city/highway/combined cycles. The Roadster BC should post similar numbers. With a gas tank able to hold around 19.5 gallons of fuel, a range in the region of 254 miles can be expected.
Huayra Roadster BC Interior
Seating and Interior Space
Getting into the Pagani's interior is an experience that's completely separate from the drive. The attention to detail will give the driver and passenger plenty to fawn over, including the beautifully crafted analog dials - no digital screen could replicate their visual charm. The gorgeous leather seats with four-point safety belts do well to provide a mix of support and comfort, whether during track use or highway cruising. Plenty of carbon-fiber, carbo-wood and titanium cover everything you can see, and the exposed linkage of the gear lever looks like it should be on display in a museum. It's not an especially broad cabin, so larger-framed individuals could feel a touch cramped - especially with the roof up. Getting in and out requires the usual extra effort, since the Pagani sits low to the ground.
Huayra Roadster BC Trunk and Cargo Space
Practicality plays second fiddle to pretty much everything else in the Huayra Roadster BC. There is no traditional trunk at all - instead, boxes are mounted on either side of the engine bay, but they can accommodate little more than a single carry-on. So, weekend trips will be an issue, although Pagani customers can probably afford to have a chauffeur deliver extra baggage in the Rolls. Custom-fit luggage can be ordered to make the most of the storage boxes, and there is also some space for small items behind the front seats. A very shallow storage space ahead of the gear lever provides a place to stash your phone. For the most part, however, the Huayra isn't interested in accommodating anything more than two people.
Features
If you want a high-performance car crammed with the latest gadgets, the Huayra isn't that car. It lacks pretty much all of the driver-assist technologies you'll find on much cheaper cars, such as blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. However, this doesn't prevent the Huayra from feeling anything less than a high-end product. It still gets a color screen for the infotainment system, a rearview camera, power windows, and climate control. A switch on the steering wheel makes it easy to work through the different driving modes, and paddle shifters are positioned on the steering wheel. Of course, it also gets airbags and electronic stability control.
Infotainment
A central color touchscreen provides access to the Pagani's various media functions and more, and it's supplemented by a smaller digital display ahead of the driver. Unfortunately, both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto aren't offered, but the Huayra does at least get a nine-channel sound system, Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB input. The infotainment system itself is fairly easy to fathom, but its processing speeds are good rather than great.
Huayra Roadster BC Problems and Reliability
According to data from the NHTSA, the last recall of any kind that affected a Huayra model was in March 2018, before the launch of the Roadster BC. Currently, no warranty information for the Roadster BC is available, although some form of coverage is very likely provided by the manufacturer.
Huayra Roadster BC Safety
At over $3-million and with a mere 40 examples produced, it's little surprise that the Huayra Roadster BC hasn't been evaluated for crashworthiness. Its rigid structure and the fitment of front airbags - along with a rearview camera, electronic stability control, and a powerful braking system - should keep the driver and occupant well protected. A test driver is also known to have crashed the Huayra Roadster (not the BC) into a tree, but both he and the passenger were uninjured. Pagani claims this was as a result of the super stiff monocoque.
Verdict: Is The Pagani Huayra Roadster BC A Good car?
The Huayra has had a brilliant run and the Roadster BC is a fitting manifestation of everything that has always made it great. The sheer cost and engineering that went into creating the lightweight, rigid monocoque displays Pagani's commitment to ensuring that this drop-top is the dynamic equal of its fixed-roof counterpart. And, with even more power, the V12 produces astonishing power and acceleration, even if it doesn't sound as intoxicating as the naturally aspirated Paganis that preceded it. Like a true Italian exotic, the Roadster BC is as much about the way it drives as how it looks and feels. Outside, it's all aggression and aerodynamic trickery on full display, and inside, the cabin evokes a standard of craftsmanship that is unlike anything else. At over $3 million - and without even being particularly well-equipped - it's difficult to justify the Huayra Roadster BC on paper. But experiencing it for yourself will make you wish that Pagani didn't limit its production run to just 40.
What's the Price of the Pagani Huayra Roadster BC?
With a price tag that can quickly exceed $4 million after a few options and personal touches, the Huayra Roadster BC is not only the most expensive model in the Huayra range, but comes in at around a million bucks dearer than the Huayra Roadster. This price excludes taxes, registration, destination charges, and any extras.
What Pagani Huayra Roadster BC Model Should I Buy?
With only 40 Roadster BCs being produced, there are obviously no trims to choose from. However, Pagani undoubtedly offered each of those elite customers the choice of customizing the cabin in colors and styles that best suited them.
2020 Pagani Huayra Roadster BC vs Bugatti Chiron
How does Pagani's best compare with one of Bugatti's best? Although the Chiron has a fixed-top roof, both of these hypercars occupy an automotive apex where common limitations like price, power output, and speed don't seem to apply. As powerful as the Roadster BC is, the Chiron is in another league entirely because its 8.0-liter, quad-turbocharged W16 engine produces a ridiculous 1,479 hp and 1,180 lb-ft of torque - the Chiron will hit 60 mph in only 2.5 seconds. Although Pagani hasn't released official performance figures for the BC, it's unlikely to be quicker than the Bugatti. But, whereas the Chiron is unmatched for straight-line speed, the BC's lighter weight (of over 1,500 lbs) makes it the more agile supercar to drive. And while the Bugatti has a beautiful interior, the Pagani's attention to detail is second to none. Both cars are absolute legends, but the ultra-rare Huayra is the piece of art we'd rather take home.
2020 Pagani Huayra Roadster BC vs Pagani Huayra Roadster
The BC commands a price premium of around a million bucks over the already insanely expensive Huayra Roadster. For that extra outlay, Pagani takes its weight-saving measures to the extreme to cut 66 lbs from the regular roadster. The BC is not only lighter, but more powerful too, with power jumping from 752 to 791 hp and torque increasing from 738 to 774 lb-ft. Aerodynamic tweaks have seen the BC reach a downforce target of 1,102 lbs at 174 mph, ensuring even more impressive stability at high speeds. The BC also features Pirelli PZero Trofeo R tires which were specifically designed for this car, and they help it to achieve lateral acceleration peaks of 2.2 g (up from the Huayra Roadster's 1.8 g). With just 40 BCs ever made, it's also twice as rare as the regular Huayra Roadster. Both cars are phenomenal achievements, but at this level, getting the ultimate matters even if logic flies out the window - that's why we'd choose the hardcore BC.