Pagani Huayra BC makes world premiere; has 470 kmph top speed courtesy of the retuned 789 hp 6.5-litre Mercedes AMG-sourced twin-turbo V12
The 2017 Pagani Huayra BC is the outright version of the standard hypercar that has been released at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. The suffix expands to Benny Caiola as the company founder Horacio Pagani decided to honour the late American property development business’ hotshot and the first customer of the brand whose avid car enthusiasm inspired the Italian marque’s leader.
Surely Benny Caiola would have been proud of where Pagani are right now since the very beginning when the first Zonda C12 prototype came to the light in 1999 at the same Geneva show. The dedicated BC model is the major update the Huayra has received since getting launched in 2011.
Visually, the passive rear wing and the front splitter have been made larger to enhance aerodynamic efficiency. While featuring active aero techs, it shares zero body panel with the standard Huayra. The same Mercedes AMG sourced 6.0-litre is at the heart of the machine as the regular model but it’s been retuned to give extra horses.
The output has been dialled to 789 hp from the twin turbocharged V12 unit as opposed to the stock Huayra’s 730 hp but the torque figure remains identical with 1,100 Nm delivered at 4,000 rpm. The spine-tingling power is sent to the rear wheels through a seven-speed Xtrac-built automated manual transmission shifted sequentially with a modified clutch control programme for improved accuracy.
The new electronic active differential allows for adapting different surface conditions while the differential and gearbox drivetrain weigh at nearly 40 per cent less than the dual-clutch system says Pagani. With it underscoring the company’s obsession towards lighter components, the sports exhaust has also been revised to weigh considerably less.
The Pagani Huayra gets tripod axle drive shafts derived from Le Mans racing and the suspension parts have received the ‘lighter’ treatment as the high-performance is left uncompromised due to the presence of aluminium alloy. Some of the components have been redesigned and they tip the scale 25 per cent less heavier amidst providing increased response and better dynamic abilities.
It has a new Track mode setting alongside Comfort and Sport and it’s bolted on lighter 20-inch alloy wheels fitted to the front and 21-inchers at the rear and comes shod on the P Zero Corsa rubber designed and developed by Pirelli.
Customers can opt for Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tyres for track experience as well. Inside the cabin, weight-saving has been the agenda as the electronic parking brake replaces the old set-up with suede leather trims on the steering wheel. At an overall 132 kg weight saving measures, the 1.2 tonne Huayra can accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in just 3.2 seconds before getting to an impressive top speed of 230 mph (370 kmph).
With design inspirations taken from the wild Zonda R and Zonda Clinique, Pagani says the BC is “the most technologically advanced Huayra Coupé yet,” and the high performance road car is suited for track days and special events. All these technical and mechanical excellence cost at €2.3 million with the production limited to only 20 examples and all of them have already been sold. Unlike McLaren, Ferrari and Porsche the Italian brand has admitted that it won’t be switching to hybrid powertrain any time soon.
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