Influenced by the timeless appeal of the Le Mans and World Sports-Prototype Championship cars of the 1960s and 70s, a new track Hypercar from Pagani combines the highest level of automotive engineering and aerodynamic know-how with an unprecedented aesthetic sensitivity. It represents the full expression of Pagani Automobili's technological development. Pagani has allowed creative freedom to flow on the Huayra R project, the car, embodied by clean lines and unchallenged design.
"Today's racing cars are focused exclusively on aerodynamics and are largely the product of the wind tunnel. However, in the 60s and 70s, the cars were very fast, certainly dangerous, but beautiful. Prototype sports cars like the Ferrari P4 or the Ford GT40, or the Le Mans cars, had extremely attractive lines, which are still a huge source of inspiration for our cars today. The Porsche 917 is my favourite, with its romantic yet bold shape, which gives the impression of a very fast car. It is beautiful, elegant and timeless. From this desire for freedom, and from the experience of the Zonda R and the cars of the past, came the idea of the Huayra R, like a breath of fresh air."
Horacio Pagani
Taking up increasingly demanding challenges to define new goals and pushing new boundaries to test one's ability has been in Pagani Automobili's DNA, incorporating the best racing technology available and combining innovation with beauty and attention to detail. A well-known past example is the Zonda R, first presented at Geneva in 2009, created with cutting-edge materials derived from the aerospace industry and F1. The Huayra R is reintroducing that same bold and audacious essence, once again combining maximum technical refinement and attention to detail, in a car of outstanding personality that incorporates the technology of Pagani cars of the future.
"In 2008 we were working on the Huayra, a very challenging and demanding project from an engineering and stylistic
point of view. After so many years, I felt an overwhelming desire for freedom and that's how the Zonda R came about,
a track-car free from constraints and regulations. Beautiful, high-performing and safe. The Huayra R, just like the Zonda R,
is the freest, most extreme and performance-oriented Pagani car of all time."
Horacio Pagani
Pagani says the Huayra R is a car packed with innovative solutions developed to achieve maximum performance and is the result of 100% dedicated engineering know-how. The project was not based on any production model, allowing development targets for each component to be raised significantly, forcing the team to tackle several technical challenges. First and foremost, developing the most powerful naturally aspirated internal combustion engine in the Atelier's history. The Pagani V12-R of the Huayra R - is a 12-cylinder, 6-litre, naturally aspirated racing engine, designed from the ground up in partnership with HWA AG specifically to meet the Atelier's need to equip its new creation with the lightest, most powerful and efficient track-ready V12 ever created. This need emerged to address the strong desire of Pagani's customers, who dreamed of an incredibly powerful, high-performance, naturally aspirated V12 engine for their new projects.
"The new engine had to have the charm, romance, sound and simplicity of the F1 engines of the 1980s, while incorporating state-of-the-art technology available today."
Horacio Pagani
The new powertrain delivers 850 hp (625 kW) at 8250 rpm. The maximum torque of 750 Nm is already available from 5500 to 8300 rpm - while the 200 bar direct injection system optimises performance by ensuring maximum efficiency in terms of thermodynamics and autonomy. This objective meant focusing on increased power as a key element of research and prioritising lightness for HWA AG and Pagani engineers. Affalterbach engineers embraced this challenge without hesitation. After more than two years of design and development, the powerful Pagani V12-R tipped the scales at a total weight of 198 kg (436 lbs), placing it at the top of its category. Attached to the central monocoque, with which it forms a structural element capable of supporting the transmission system and the chrome-molybdenum alloy steel subframes, the new engine is exceptionally efficient and easy to run, with service cycles only every 10,000 km.
The cutting-edge components include the brand new six-speed sequential gearbox designed in collaboration with HWA AG to complete a tailor-made powertrain. Driven by a 3 sintered metal disc racing clutch, the new non-synchronised dog-ring gearbox guarantees 95% friction efficiency, offers maximum shift precision, extremely reduced shift times and a total weight of just 80 kg (176 lb). Securely attached to the monocoque and the engine, contributing to the overall rigidity of the chassis and withstanding heavy dynamic loads, the complete transmission system is designed to integrate structurally with the entire suspension unit through dedicated attachment points to maximise the architectural efficiency of the car.
The new exhaust system made from Inconel 625/718 alloy is developed specifically for the Huayra R. It guarantees rapid and effective evacuation of exhaust gases. The Pagani V12-R can deliver all of its power, with minimum backpressure. The entire system boasts an extremely lightweight construction, developed to guarantee maximum aerodynamic performance and give the Huayra R's occupants an unprecedented acoustic experience. The V12-R roars like an F1 car of the past, mufflers can be fitted, ensuring that noise emissions are within the FIA limit of 110 decibels for noise restricted tracks.
Chassis and Materials manufactured using the Atelier's latest composite technologies, including Carbo-Titanium HP62-G2 and Carbo-Triax HP62. The new monocoque incorporates the seats fully, guaranteeing maximum protection together with specific shock-absorption side structures and the roll-bar, while maintaining easy access to the cockpit.
The front frames, made of chrome-molybdenum alloy steel, benefit from the development experience and crash tests carried out to fine-tune the Huayra project, while also being designed specifically for the track. In conjunction with the powertrain unit, the rear frame forms an integrated structure with the monocoque, helping to maximise the mechanical properties of the chassis, resulting in a 51% increase in flexural rigidity and 16% increase in torsional rigidity compared to the road version. The combination of new structural principles and materials specially developed for the Huayra R design, provide the car with a dry weight of 1,050 kg.
Safety
The comfort and performance of a sports car only acquire value when combined with an environment that offers maximum protection. This is an aspect on which the team in San Cesario Sul Panaro never compromises and which is a fundamental and indispensable part of every project undertaken by the Atelier. Careful design and meticulous research conducted on the materials, bodywork and roll bar structure were central to the development of the Huayra R in order to give customers not only the most thrilling track driving experience but above all, to provide a safe car that meets the most stringent FIA requirements for GT vehicles. The heavy-duty safety cage integrated into the central monocoque incorporates special absorption structures, made from composite materials, at the front, sides and rear of the car which are specifically designed to absorb kinetic energy in the event of impact or rollover.
Inside the passenger compartment, the extinguishing system is activated automatically in the event of a fire, while the seats, which are fully integrated into the carbon monocoque, are equipped with six-point safety belts and covered in Nomex flame-retardant material. The special Ener-Core EC 50, FIA approved foam padding ensures an optimal driving position, adapting perfectly to the body shape of the occupants, while the carbon fibre headrests are also fitted with dedicated lateral protection.
Aerodynamics
Every line and surface of the Huayra R is designed to generate maximum aerodynamic load. with an initial development target of 1000 kg of downforce at 320 km/h (2204 lb at 199 mph) and ground clearance that allows maximum aerodynamic performance to be achieved, guaranteeing safe and predictable behaviour under all conditions.
During the first aerodynamic tests, the car showed great stability and balance in line with the set target of 46%-54% downforce distribution throughout the entire speed envelope while maintaining reduced sensitivity to ground clearance. An exciting result, but the team wanted further research which was undertaken on the design and stylistic elements of the car. The aesthetics of the car changed, performance and aerodynamic efficiency improved, demonstrating the importance of the quest for beauty interpreted as the most perfect union of form and function in every aspect of design.
There are two new side air intakes at the front to ensure maximum cooling efficiency for the front wheel braking system and channel the outgoing airflow towards the side of the car, minimising turbulence and helping to generate maximum downforce. Ensuring adequate cooling of the powerful engine required relentless work on the radiator and internal fluid dynamics. At the same time, new wing profiles were introduced on the front bonnet to improve air extraction speed and create greater stability at the front. New air vents above the wheel arch and the generous side outlet allow even more effective channelling of air to flow to the rear aerodynamic appendages. With its integrated centre fin, the new roof scoop guarantees maximum intake efficiency for the Pagani V12-R. In combination with the rear diffuser and the distinctive wing, the flat bottom helps generate maximum downforce.
The suspension system that equips the Huayra Coupé include new kinematics and a sophisticated geometry of the suspension unit developed specifically for the Huayra R. Forged aluminium alloy, independent double-wishbone with helical springs and electronically controlled active shock absorbers, The entire configuration of the new system with rigid mounting points allows all the power and the extraordinary torque of the Pagani V12-R to be transferred to the ground and offers unprecedented driving precision.
Interconnected with the active aerodynamic system, the active suspension ensures that the Huayra R responds appropriately in all conditions, allowing perfect balance when entering and exiting corners and maximum stability when braking, for precise and always predictable behaviour.
The Huayra R boasts world-class braking power thanks to the brand new CCM-R self-ventilated carbon-ceramic discs coupled with racing pads. Specially developed to allow the new car to exploit the best available technology, the new CCM-Rs have significant advantages in terms of thermal conductivity and maximum braking power, typical of carbon used in competitions.
Pirelli has partnered with Pagani in research and development, resulting in a slick version of the P Zero tyres that offer maximum precision and a feeling of total control even to the non-professional driver ensuring exceptional braking behaviour and optimal traction. Pirelli's new tyre is designed to provide the grip needed to allow pin-point precision on every curve. The monolithic rims, custom-designed in conjunction with APP Tech and forged from aluminium alloy, were designed to achieve maximum lightness in 19 inches.
Inside the Huayra R, all the essential controls, such as traction control, ABS map selection, radio communication, and other important functions, are immediately available on the quick-release, height and length adjustable steering wheel be pulled out for easy access to the cockpit. The gearshift paddles are mounted at the rear of the steering wheel. Secondary controls such as lights, engine maps, suspension maps and brake balance selector are available on the centre console. A high resolution, fully customisable, motorsport dashboard display feeds the driver with the necessary information to monitor the status of the vehicle. The onboard telemetry logs all vehicle data, enabling the driver and pit crew to analyse performance, find the perfect vehicle settings for any given track and monitor the vehicle.
An adjustable pedal set has been custom-designed in partnership with AP Racing exclusively for the Huayra R and incorporates the principles of lightness and style.
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