Pagani Zonda

This page is for the original Pagani Zonda. For later variants, please consult this disambiguation page.

Pagani Zonda
A Zonda powerslides around the Top Gear Test Track
Vehicle	Pagani Zonda
Origin	Italy
Type	MR super car
Engine	7.0L V-12
0-60	3.7 sec
Displacement	550 brake horsepower
Top Speed	208 MPH (334 KPH)
Produced	1999 - 2006
On-screen debut	Fifth Gear: Series 1, Episode 5 (2002)
Final appearance	RTL Wannahaves: Episode 10 (2009)

The Pagani Zonda was a V12-powered supercar produced by Pagani from 1999 until 2006, with later variants remaining in production as made-to-order limited editions as recently as 2022. It was the first supercar produced by the company and took 10 years to develop.

Background

What would become the Zonda first entered development in 1988 as the "C8 Project", and was developed closely with Argentine racing legend Juan-Manuel Fangio, who allegedly allowed Pagani the usage of his name if it was powered by a Mercedes-Benz engine. In 1991, the first concept drawings were drawn up, incorporating a then-unheard of active aero system in the rear wings, which didn't survive to the production car. The first prototypes were subsequently modelled in 1992 before being wind-tested the year after. The car continued development for another 5 years thereafter and eventually became the Zonda following Fangio's death in 1995.

Media appearances

Though the car had been in production since 1999, it wouldn't be until 2002 when the Zonda would finally make its first televised appearances.

Fifth Gear

The very first programme the Pagani Zonda appeared in was the fifth episode of Fifth Gear, which aired on the 6th of May, 2002. Host Tiff Needell found the Zonda very favourable to drive, and thought it topped even the Lamborghini Murciélago he had driven in the show's first episode a month earlier.

Top Gear

Inevitably, the car would wind up against the Murciélago once again, this time around for the first episode of Top Gear. Jeremy Clarkson would be tasked with thrashing both supercars around the Dunsfold airfield, before racing against the Zonda in a drag race, which his Murciélago lost. The cars were then handed to The Stig, where the Zonda beat the Lamborghini by over 6 seconds on an artificially-wet track.

Its lap time was defeated in a shock upset by the motorcycle-engined Westfield XTR2 just two episodes later, but mid-way through Series 2, lap times set by track-oriented cars were removed from the board, reinstating the Zonda as the fastest car around the track. This record would stand for around a further 5 months before it was beaten by its old rival the Murciélago in Series 3, Episode 4.

Clarkson Home Videos

The original Zonda made regular appearances in Jeremy Clarkson's subsequent home video releases.

RTL Wannahaves

The final time a base-model Zonda appeared in an automotive journalism programme was briefly in episode 10 of RTL Wannahaves, for a segment filmed in Monaco where it is approached by host Susanne Dijksterhuis.

Significant examples

• C12 UFO: One of the first Zondas in the UK, owned by evo founder Harry Metcalfe. Formerly C12 SRH.