Supercars, or hypercars as the serious ones have been dubbed, are usually only seen in small production numbers with unbelievably high prices, and the Pagani Huayra Roadster is no different – just 100 of these carbon fiber filled cars are headed for production and even with the starting price at $2,400,000 every single one was sold. It's also not just a Huarya with an open top; it's an all-new car that sees improvements in just about every aspect. The engineers working on the project have managed to do the impossible by getting the roadster to weigh less than the previous BC model, and that means the mid-mounted Mercedes-AMG V12 can push the hypercar to be even faster.
Interior
A combination of plush crosshatch leather, carbon fiber and brushed aluminum is found inside the Pagani Huayra Roadster. It's a visual overload with things looking like they were sourced from a fighter jet; the busy carbon fiber multifunction steering looks good, and the symmetrical gauges give feedback to the driver, as does the center driver information screen that looks much like a smartphone. The raised center of the dash features the screen for the infotainment system that also allows changing drive settings. The race seats can be had in various styles and trims, but it's the shift lever that's one of the cabin highlights similar to the exposed setup seen in a Spyker C8, although more intricate in the Pagani. All they carbon fiber is laid out symmetrically with the wave coming to a point in the car's center; this is seen inside and outside the car. If you can imagine an interior theme or color, it can be done in the Huayra because at this level buyers get what they want.
Driving (Ride & Handling)
There is a mass of power in the Pagani Huayra Roadster, and it's lighter than the previous hard top version too. This doesn't mean it's much faster, but it does lend to the dynamics of the car. Also lighter is the transmission that has super smooth shifts thanks to a combination of hydraulic and electronic actuators and carbon synchros. The electronic limited slip diff can be felt directing power to the optimum wheel when giving it all on a drive, without it tires would quickly be sacrificed. All those fancy lines and ducts on the bodywork create immense down force that translates to high-speed stability, and when not on the straight and narrow, the steering is fast and direct affording the hypercar some brilliant track manners and up to 1.80 g of lateral grip. The stiff suspension is made from lightweight aeronautic aluminum, and is claimed to the lightest on a road legal hypercar. It is unlikely one of these roadsters will be seen on track though; the cost and the rarity make it seem like a bad decision.
Performance (Engine & Transmission)
Giving the Pagani Huayra Roadster it's amazing performance is a powerplant sourced from the Mercedes-AMG factory, but it was created on special order specifically for Pagani. It's a twin turbocharged V12 that's rated to produce a power output of 754 hp with an equally impressive 737 lb-ft of torque, and this is mated to a 7-speed automated manual transaxle that's also a work of art in itself. Putting that power down on the raid equates to some amazing performance. The Huayra Roadster is estimated to hit 60 mph in just 2.9-seconds to rival the best of the best out there, and after that in a few blinks of an eye it will hit it's 210 mph top speed ceiling.
Equipment & Safety
As with most cars of this ilk, the Pagani Huayra Roadster features a safety cell built into the body and chassis, but it does also feature a pair of airbags added in that will only really be of use if the car is idling along, because any input on the throttle will see the car quickly exceed the speed airbags are effective at. Also, the titanium-laced carbon fiber weave (carbo-titanium) used throughout the car sees the car being stronger and safer than expected – not a bad thing. Equipment includes most normal features like navigation, smartphone connectivity, Bluetooth and a few of the usual driver aids.
Verdict
The Pagani Huayra Roadster an absolutely ridiculous car that's over the top in every way possible. The open top hyper car is the motoring equivalent of ostentatious, it's one of those cars that's been created to show off but it has the power to back up the looks. With only 100 of them available, and with every model already spoken for, it's set to be one of those rare cars that defies the odds and appreciates in value. Most mere mortals will likely never see one in the metal, but that won't stop it garnering fans the world over.
