Don't Miss Pagani Zonda R At The Toronto Auto Show
Posted Feb 24th 2012 12:29PM
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If you haven't made it to the Toronto Auto Show yet, there are a few very good reasons to make the trip. Sure all the new everyday models are on display but there are some definitive highlights that made this show different versus years past. We can't think of a better reason to head down to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre if not for one thing: the Auto Exotica exhibit and more specifically this carbon fibre masterpiece, thePagani Zonda R.
Why is this Italian car such a big deal? Well, this is the last one produced, it is over $2.3-million worth of machinery and let's not forget this is the only one in Canada (or the U.S.) and the owner is actually from Ontario. While we would get weak in the knees to see this thing tearing up downtown Toronto at full bore, the R isn't legal for the street making it one very expensive track car. Legendary Motorcar Company of Milton, Ontario was entrusted to purchase, ship and handle the car which will be used for only four track days per year.
"The car has no comparison really," said Peter Klutt, owner of Legendary Motorcar "it would have to be stacked up against competition cars to come near the performance," he added.
The car is a rolling piece of art and seeing it even at rest was worth the price of admission because you will likely never see one again. By the numbers, the Zonda R is staggering. It features a 6.0L V12 M120 engine sourced from the Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR producing 750 horsepower and 524 lb-ft of torque. It will blast past 100 km/h (62 mph) in only 2.7-seconds on the way to a terminal velocity of 335 km/h (209mph) all while making sounds that are difficult to articulate.
Although the R carries the same silhouette as other Zondas, the chassis is radically different. Using only a handful of Zonda F parts, the Zonda R has a longer wheel base for stability and different subframes made from the exotic Avional material. The shell is of course all carbon fibre (this is the only glossy one, all others are matte) and has distinct aerodynamic considerations for downforce and other tweaks for effective cooling. Finally, the Magnesium centre-lock wheels are wrapped with Pirelli PZero 335s and 255s suspended by adjustable Öhlins to keep this car stuck to the blacktop.
We're still at a loss for words and might head back this weekend just take it all in one more time.
