Thunder clap
£2.5m (plus tax)
AV12 hasn't powered an Fl car for 27 years. Time flies but memories linger, eh? Obviously a quick foray online will remind you of the screaming fury, but it's good of Pagani to do what it can to celebrate the era.
Back in the day, those V12,5 ran at an ear-bleeding 150db. Modern hybrid Fl cars are quieter, around 130db. This, the new Pagani Huayra R, is louder than a thunderclap: 140db. I'm convinced half the pleasure for owners will be standing on the pitwall while another one yelps past. This is sound as a physical force, both for those nearby and the driver inside. It's all-consuming, all-occupying.
It was a project that got out of hand. The plan was to do a track only version of the twin-turbo V12 Huayra, but the only thing carried over from the regular Huayra is the wing mirrors. Even the door latches had to be redesigned, let alone the carbon tub, which Pagani decided shoal follow the PIM safety strategy, so the three-part monocoque has higher sides, incorporates a full roll cage.
It'll never race, but Horacio and his team did want sound and drama to play a central role, which meant the turbo'd engine made way for a brand in 6.0-litre V12 designed in partnership with German firm HWA. It revs to 9,000rpm and will only ever be used for these 30 cars. There is no flywheel effect whatsoever. At start up ft explodes into life, and switch off goes from wailing noise to dead silence in the space between heartbeats, leaving just a pulsating ringing in your ears.
The motor shapes the whole experience, but it's underpinned by a massively talented, confidence inspiring chassis. To drive it is to not care if the brakes are the strongest, or the cornering grip the mightiest, but that the experience is so exciting, compelling, enthralling. Emotion bred out of engineering.
It flows around a circuit, creamily smooth, you pour it into corners on the sensational Brembo CCM-R brakes, slingshot around them, then surge away on this gloriously predictable, perfectly delivered wave of naturally aspirated power. Inside, nestled deep in the belly behind helmet and earplugs there's tune, vibration and connection. You've strapped the V12 to your back. So go have the time of your life.
We often only think of Pagani's relentless quest for perfection in terms of the exquisite jewel-like design, but here's proof that the pursuit extends to motorsport as well. It's just so exotic to drive. If I was in the market for a genuinely exciting track-only hypercar, I wouldn't look anywhere else.