Page 1 of 3 Next >> One of the most highly anticipated world debuts of the 2011 Geneva Motor Show was the first all-new Pagani since the original Zonda was launched at the same venue in 1999. Five years in the making, the new machine was dubbed the 'Huayra', and although it is a clean-sheet design, it does incorporate technology and manufacturing methods first seen on the final evolutions of the Zonda.
Where the Zonda was named after a dry wind that often occurs on the Eastern slopes of the South American Andes mountains, the new Pagani derives its name from 'Huayra Tata'; the god of wind in ancient legends of the Aymara people. One of South America's native peoples, the Aymara lived in the Andes and Altiplano regions. Their lores described how Huayra Tata commanded the breezes, winds and blizzards that invade the mounts, cliffs and hills of the Andes Highlands.
Wind also played a key part in the development of the Huayra's exterior design and aerodynamics. Inspired by the supersonic aircraft of the 1950s and '60s, Horacio Pagani very much shaped the car like a wing. At speed, the car's aerodynamic characteristics are continuously optimised by adjustments to the ride height and four control flaps on each of the four corners. Much of the Huayra's downforce is generated by two large venturis in the underbody and a sizeable rear diffuser.
Visually the Huayra is still unmistakably a Pagani, courtesy of several very typical details like the twin circular headlights and the quadruple, centrally mounted exhausts. Dominated by a big 'mouth', the overall shape of the car is, however, brand new. The cockpit is again well forward but it is not quite as prominent as on the Zonda. Access to the lavishly appointed interior is through two massive 'gull-wing' doors. Due to the trick aerodynamics, there no longer was a need for additional devices like a rear wing. Page 1 of 3 Next >>