Pagani Huayra Review: A Fusion Of Art And Science

When Pagani Automobili first burst onto the car scene, its Zonda was a wicked and wild supercar that was so visually arresting that its performance was almost inconsequential. Yet, it was good enough that journalists the world over lauded it as one of the greatest supercars ever. So how do you follow up? Well, Horacio Pagani is a man of vision, and his Huayra creation is even more bonkers. Sadly, a naturally-aspirated V12 is no longer viable, so Mercedes-AMG created a bespoke twin-turbo 6.0-liter V12 for the Huayra. It produces a whopping 730 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque. To save weight, a dual-clutch automatic has been overlooked in favor of a sequential single-clutch automatic. It all culminates into what could possibly be the most brutal assault on the senses in all aspects, with a price tag to match. What could compete with something as insane as the Huayra? A Ferrari 812 Superfast? A Koenigsegg Jesko? Perhaps, or maybe the Huayra is simply in a league of its own.

Specs and Trims: Pagani Huayra Models And Configurations

2018 Pagani Huayra Coupe

Make

Pagani

Model

Huayra

Model Year

2018 Pagani Huayra

Year

2018

MSRP

$1,400,000

Engine

6.0L Twincharged V12 Gas

Horsepower

720 hp

Transmission

7-Speed Sequential Manual Transmission

Drivetrain

Rear-Wheel Drive

Torque

738 lb·ft @ 2,300 – 4,300 rpm

Combined

13 MPG

City

11 MPG

Highway

17 MPG

Fuel Tank Capacity

19 gallons

Length

181.3 in

Height

46 in

Max Width

80.2 in

Wheelbase

110 in

Curb Weight

2,976 lbs

Seating Capacity

2 seater

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Huayra Exterior

The Pagani Huayra's body is made from Carbotanium - carbon fiber with titanium. At the front, the clamshell hood is a single piece and houses bi-xenon headlights, below which LED running lights help make it clear how low the car is. Variable flaps on each corner of the car are also a highlight and can be adjusted even when stationary. Down the curvaceous sides, vents suck air towards the engine and these are a design tribute to supersonic aircraft of the 50s and 60s. The wheels are each milled from a single piece of aluminum, and measure 19 inches in diameter in front with 20s at the back. Speaking of the back, a massive diffuser features, while the quad exhaust tip arrangement exits in typical Pagani style near the top of the rear.

Dimensions

The Pagani Huayra is a large machine, measuring 181.3 inches in length with a wheelbase of 110 inches. Width is an expansive 80.2 inches, while height is a diminutive 46 inches. The vehicle's dry weight is rated at just 2,976 lbs, giving it a power-to-weight ratio better than that of even the mighty Bugatti Veyron.

Exterior Colors

While Pagani does not offer an online configurator for the Huayra, if you're one of the 100 lucky owners worldwide, the company will be happy to present various options, but expect to pay dearly for custom color choices. This can cost anything between $20,200 and $134,200. Opting for exposed carbon fiber should be cheaper then, no? No. If you opt for no paint, the carbon panels must align with millimetric precision, so eschewing paint in favor of naked carbon will cost over $150,000. Your own color can be selected for the brake calipers if you choose, with this adding over $5,000 to the bill. The wheels can also be finished in your choice of Gold, Black, or Liquid Silver at a cost of $4,700.

Huayra Performance

With a specially-developed 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 behind your head, the Huayra is akin to a rocketship. That wondrous power plant produces 730 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque, with slingshot-like acceleration propelling you to the horizon. 0-60 mph is clocked in around 3.2 seconds, thanks to the aid of Pirelli P Zero tires. However, there's only so much that sticky rubber can do when all that power is sent to the rear wheels. Keep your foot planted long enough, and the Huayra will keep pulling your head into the seat all the way to a top speed "in excess" of 230 mph. This is truly a bomb on wheels, but it's a living one. The active aerodynamic aids are continually working to keep the hypercar flat and level, making it far more capable in the corners than any rear-wheel-drive car with over 700 hp has the right to be. The Huayra is brutal, but also capable. You need to drive with care and commitment, but the harder you push yourself, the more the car will reward you. It's been set up to be as manageable as possible and will defer to mild understeer at the limit rather than the snap oversteer that mid-engined cars are known for. This was done intentionally to keep owners safe, but you still have to concentrate on what you're doing. This is a car that puts down the numbers but also elicits emotion, making it worthy of its hypercar status.

Engine and Transmission

The AMG-developed M158 engine in the Pagani Huayra came about as a result of compromise. Horacio Pagani wanted a naturally aspirated V12, but his engineers told him that meeting ever-stricter emissions regulations would be near impossible in the future. Pagani also didn't like the sound of the V8s on offer, and thus had to commission a turbocharged engine. While we do miss the 7.3-liter NA V12 in the Zondas of old, the Huayra's 6.0-liter V12 is still a glorious symbol of excess, power, and engineering focus. The engine is responsive immediately from idle, but once you get past 2,000 rpm, the turbos join the chorus of noise and power, giving you access to 730 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque. The shock of power is enough to make you giddy, but if you can hold on long enough, the Huayra will catapult you into the next county in the blink of an eye.

The transmission was carefully selected too and chosen with weight in mind. A dual-clutch setup would have been smoother and quicker, but it would have also added over 170 pounds to the weight of the car. Thus, Xtrac - the same British company that develops transmission solutions for Le Mans racers and Formula 1 cars - was approached to produce something lighter. The result is a seven-speed sequential single-clutch automatic. It reminds one of early Lamborghini Aventadors, with shocking jolts and clunky responses at low speeds. The best way to achieve smoothness is to let off the throttle slightly and change up manually, but there is still a fair amount of drama about the occasion. In a way, that was the goal. The center gear lever showcases exposed linkages simply so that you can see, hear, and feel what each gear change is like in a gloriously analog manner. Naturally, you can use the steering-mounted paddles, but the sense of occasion of using the stick is wonderful. Sure, it's not refined, but in a car that aims to maximize emotion, it feels right.

Handling and Driving Impressions

The Huayra is a beast of a machine, but not one that is easily tamed. You can't just hop in and plant your right foot hoping to make it out alive. The Huayra demands respect, and when you give it, the car rewards you with astonishing cornering ability. It is impeccably balanced and easy to place too, making it feel smaller than it is. The steering provides tremendous feel and is extremely easy to judge, with sharp turn-in and a pleasant level of weight. Should you find yourself on an open track, the car will gladly oblige your desires for sliding drift exhibitions too, but it is worth remembering that this car wants to take corners fast. The active aerodynamic flaps are not only hypnotizing to watch in action but they also really work. In partnership with the trick Ohlins suspension, the car stays remarkably flat and level through corners, with never a hint of body roll or instability. The car has numerous sensors that measure throttle and steering inputs, as well as yaw rate and traction, and the flaps work to counter any weight shifts or loss of grip. The result is that when you stomp on those enormous carbon ceramic brakes, the car remains flat and doesn't dive. The same is true for hard acceleration, with the car never feeling excessively light on the front wheels. The Renaissance-era philosophy that art and science can work hand-in-hand is what Horacio Pagani references when referring to the development of this car, and it's far more than just marketing talk - this car is both intricately, beautifully detailed and a leap forward technologically in terms of what a vehicle can be.

Huayra Gas Mileage

Official EPA figures for the Pagani Huayra are largely inconsequential, but they're not too bad considering the car's performance, with scores of 11/17/13 mpg on the city/highway/combined cycles. Coupled with a 19-gallon gas tank, the Huayra is expected to achieve around 247 miles with mixed driving. Naturally, there are many cars that offer better range, but if that's what you're worried about, you probably shouldn't be buying a hypercar.

Huayra Interior

Open the gullwing doors and an interior unlike any other on the planet greets you. Exposed carbon fiber, leather, and billet aluminum are on display in the most amazing display of automotive art ever seen on a car. Every switch and button looks like a piece of bespoke jewelry, and you can configure the backlighting on the switches and dials to almost any hue imaginable. Regular features include an automatic air conditioning system and a touchscreen infotainment display, with the speakers of the sound system arranged all around the cabin for a stunning aural experience. This car is mesmerizingly beautiful, yet you can feel comfortable in the relatively spacious cabin.

Seating and Interior Space

Cars like this are unique, and driving in them is an experience to be cherished by only two individuals at a time. Those two individuals have a remarkable amount of space, however, and getting in and out of the Huayra is relatively easy since the doors pull a part of the roof away too. Once you've negotiated the wide sill and dropped your butt into the gorgeous seats, however, you will realize that unless you're over six-foot-tall, you should have grabbed a strap on the door to close it. Nevertheless, the adjustments to the seat are easily made, with the seats offering plenty of support and a surprising level of comfort.

Interior Colors and Materials

Leather, aluminum, titanium, and carbon fiber are the main materials of choice in the Huayra's cabin. Plastic is a four-letter word in a car like this, and every last detail has been exquisitely finished. With only 100 models being made, your Huayra can be perfectly tailored to your tastes in any color. However, options do add to the price of the car, with even something as simple as seatbelt color carrying a $1,150 surcharge.

Huayra Trunk and Cargo Space

The Huayra doesn't have a traditional trunk. Instead, when you raise the rear clamshell engine cover, you get access to storage boxes that can be filled with custom luggage (a $20,150 option) from Pagani. While this looks good and adds to the sense of occasion, it means that access to your luggage is a little tricky.

In the cabin, you get numerous hidden cubbies and storage bins, including carbon cases in the doors that can be closed to prevent your valuables from falling out when you open the doors, but the glovebox is notably small.

Features

The Huayra's main focus lies in performance, art, and drama. Thus, it doesn't have much in the way of modern features, but you do get rain-sensing wipers, automatic climate control, cruise control, and a digital driver display between two analog dials that shows various parameters including the selected gear. You also get an adaptive suspension setup that lowers the car at higher speeds, and of course, a rearview camera. You also get a nose-lifting function to help you deal with speedbumps and tricky driveways. Rear parking sensors are also available.

Infotainment

The infotainment system in the Pagani Huayra features a central touchscreen display and includes the usual AM/FM functions as well as Bluetooth connectivity for audio streaming from your phone. However, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio are not offered. While the graphics look pretty good and the system is fairly easy to understand, this is not the most responsive touchscreen we've ever interacted with. Fortunately, the power of the Sonus Faber nine-channel sound system helps make up for the screen's shortcomings.

Huayra Problems and Reliability

The Huayra has been subject to recalls in its time on the market, one of which was for a faulty battery that may fail. Considering even this component was specially developed to reduce weight, it's understandable that it may not be the most reliable. Still, for a car that exceeds seven figures, it is disappointing. Another recall was for a faulty airbag.

While we can't find any official information regarding warranty coverage, the Huayra is undoubtedly covered by a warranty for at least the first year of ownership.

Huayra Safety

While the Pagani Huayra has not been tested by either the IIHS nor the NHTSA, Pagani itself has subjected the car to almost 50 crash tests, with only two bodyshells used for all the tests. These shells are reportedly still intact, indicating that the Huayra is structurally solid.

Key Safety Features

The Huayra's carbon/titanium structure makes it both lighter and stronger than traditional carbon fiber, which is prone to shattering depending on the direction of impact. This means the structure offers remarkable integrity and can withstand severe crashes. To conform to U.S. safety standards, dual-stage front airbags are fitted to the Huayra, which also benefits from advanced traction and stability systems and seatbelt pre-tensioners. You also get rain-sensing wipers and a rearview camera, with parking sensors available too.

Verdict: Is the Pagani Huayra A Good car?

The Pagani Huayra is not just another hypercar. It is exquisite in almost every way and its suspension, engine, and body are highly advanced pieces of automotive engineering art. The astonishing throttle response combined with the incredible balance make this one of the most exciting cars to drive. It feels like the power is limitless and it behaves like a genuine racecar that you have to learn to drive quickly and safely, yet flatters you when you afford it the respect it deserves. Besides all this, it is rare - but not in a way that seems to cheaply justify a high price. This car is limited to 100 units because every last detail is obsessed over to create a car that is as near perfect as possible. It is guaranteed to be worth far more than its asking price as the years pass, but we'd definitely keep one if only as a one-exhibit rolling museum to engineering art.

What's the Price of the Pagani Huayra?

This is another of those "if you have to ask, you can't afford it" situations. No two Huayra's are built alike, but before you get into designing your dream hypercar, the Pagani Huayra was released in the USA with a base asking price of $1,400,000. As hinted at above, options are pricey and that base price can skyrocket past $1,800,000 with just a few options.

Pagani Huayra Models

The Pagani Huayra is a limited-edition standalone model, with the roadster and race versions considered separately. The Huayra is hand-built in Italy and is the company's Zonda successor. The car features a specially-developed M158 AMG 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 engine. It produces 730 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque. Power is directed to the rear wheels exclusively, and as wide as the tires are, this is still a handful of a car to drive. However, with the right conditions and the right driver, the Huayra is capable of 60 mph in around three seconds, with top speed claimed to be in excess of 230 mph. As standard, the car features gullwing doors, a carbon fiber and titanium body and shell, height-adaptive suspension with a hydropneumatic front jack, and carbon ceramic brakes. Inside, leather, milled billet aluminum, and carbon fiber are used extensively for the purposes of strength, weight reduction, and art.

Additional Packages

The Huayra is expensive in standard form but can be made more ridiculous with the addition of various options, among which are things like parking sensors, "premium" leather upholstery, and custom coloring for the brake calipers. Various other aesthetic upgrades can be made too. For example, the body can be left unpainted with a symmetrical carbon weave showing throughout, but this costs as much as some Porsches on its own. Colored carbon fiber is available too, as is a tailored luggage set built exclusively for the Huayra.

What Pagani Huayra Model Should I Buy?

The Pagani Huayra is sold as a single standalone model, with the roadster considered a separate model. It features a specially-developed 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 engine produced by AMG and this produces 730 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque, all of which goes through a seven-speed sequential single-clutch automatic transmission to the rear wheels. The wheels are hewn from a single block of aluminum and take days each to produce, while even the "Huayra" badge on the rear takes a full 24 hours to craft. This special level of workmanship and attention to detail carries through all parts of the car, with every last bolt on the car bearing the Pagani logo. The body is constructed from a blend of carbon fiber interweaved with titanium, helping keep the dry weight of the car below 3,000 lbs. Active aerodynamics are employed to keep the car as stable as possible, but it can perform in a straight line too, boasting a top speed in excess of 230 mph. With all of this, you can't build a bad Huayra - so your choices will be made based on personal taste. That said, we'd certainly opt for the available parking sensors and the bespoke luggage set.

2012 Pagani Huayra vs Koenigsegg Agera R

When it comes to low-volume supercars coming from a company based on one man's vision and expertise, only Koenigsegg can truly compare with Pagani. Where Horacio Pagani is focused on art and beauty, Christian von Koenigsegg is more interested in extreme innovation and speed. The Agera R is one of his greatest achievements, and with a base price of $1,500,000, it's similarly priced to the Huayra. However, these cars are very different. The Agera R uses a 5.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that is capable of producing an unbelievable 1,124 hp and 885 lb-ft of torque. On regular 95 octane fuel, that figure is still impressive, with the engine generating 960 hp This car is literally a roadgoing missile and is capable of getting from 0-60 mph in just 2.9 seconds. What happens thereafter is even more impressive. Once the Agera has found traction, its dual-clutch transmission keeps ticking until you reach the seventh ratio, a gear that allows you to reach the mesmerizing speed of 260 mph. Furthermore, just 18 examples of the Agera R were ever made, making it even rarer than the Huayra. For speed, power, exclusivity, and bragging rights, little can beat the Agera R. For being utterly gorgeous in every detail, however, the Pagani is equally worthy of consideration.

2012 Pagani Huayra vs Bugatti Chiron

If you're willing to spend double the Huayra's asking price, you can spend a little under $3,000,000 on a Bugatti Chiron. Powered by the famous 8.0-liter, quad-turbo, W16 engine, the Chiron produces a stratospheric 1,485 hp and 1,180 lb-ft of torque. Along with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and, critically, all-wheel-drive, the Chiron gets from 0-60 mph in just 2.5 seconds. It is also capable of breaking the mythical 300-mph barrier in Super Sport 300+ guise. In addition, it has a truly luxurious interior and is comfortable and civilized enough to drive in traffic - so long as the roads are wide enough. For a display of sheer power and speed, the Chiron is all but unbeatable, but the Huayra is a car that you can have fun with at lower speeds. Ultimately, the choice will be a personal one and will likely not be based on facts and figures, but those who enjoy spirited driving will likely prefer the wild Pagani. Those who can afford either can likely afford both, though, so why not buy one of each and call it a day.