Pagani Imola: hyper track weapon

J-C Etter

5 years ago

The ultimate development of the Huayra ?

Five hypercars at five millions euros a piece, plus tax. After more than 16’000 km of punishing development on race tracks, Pagani unveils the most recent – probably ultimate – developement of the Huayra first presented in 2011.

Aerodynamic efficiency over elegance and aesthetics. Horacio Pagani is explicitly apologetic that the quest for maximal downforce with minimal drag may detract from the original elegance and fluidity of the Huayra design.

Pagani has also put emphasis on drivability and safety, resisting for instance an excessive reduction of ground clearance. While beneficial to downforce, sudden reductions of downforce over bumps are a liability for a car that is meant to remain approachable, whether on tracks or on open roads.

For this development, the displacement of the 36 valve 60 degrees twin-turbo V12 remains unchanged at 5980 cm3, but maximum torque and peak power are both increasing:

	Power (hp)	Torque (Nm)
Imola	827	1100
Huayra Roadster BC	802	1050
Huayra Roadster	764	1000

Torque is sent to the rear wheels through a 7 gear transverse Xtrac automated gearbox which integrate an electro-mechanical differential.

The suspension geometry has been newly designed to transfer the power and torque to the tarmac, and reduce the dive effect and sway when braking. A system of active shock-absorbers allows the front suspension to vary the ride height depending on the driving phase and in concert with the engine and gearbox ECU.

A relentless focus on weight savings resulted in the use of new Carbo-Titanium HP62 G2 and Carbo-Triax HP62 composites for the central monocoque. A new paint process named Acquarello Light allows to shed 5 kg of paint while maintaining color richness, depth and shine unchanged. Pagani claims a dry weight of 1246 kg.

The Imola has been developped with bespoke Pirelli Trofeo R tires (265/30R20 front and 355/23R21 rear). Overall dimensions are 4853 mm over a 2795 mm wheelbase, 2035 mm in width (2264 mm at the mirror), and 1269 mm in height.