Key facts about the Pagani Utopia
● V12 biturbo from Mercedes-AMG
● 864 hp and 1100 Nm between 2800 and 5900 rpm
● no hybrid system
● Top speed 350 km/h
● 1280 kilo curb weight
● Choice of 7-speed manual or sequential 7-speed gearbox
● 99 pieces will be built
● Basic price from 2.56 million euros
● Series already completely sold out
● Market launch in summer 2023
● Roadster and special versions are to follow
The Utopia is the third model after the Zonda and Huayra
Only in profile does it become clear how crouched the silhouette of the new Pagani Utopia is.
During the development of the Huayra, Horacio Pagani asked himself how he could top the Zonda. The surprising answer at the time: not at all. So the Huayra should not inherit the Zonda, but be completely different. After a total of more than 300 Huayra of all expansion stages sold, this project can be described as a success.
For the third model, Pagani had to ask himself the same question again – and while mastermind Horacio had his own ideas, this time he wanted to do it differently and involve his customers. Early in the development phase of the Utopia, some of Pagani’s most loyal customers were asked what they would like from a new model. Three points quickly emerged: driving pleasure, lightweight construction and analog driving experience.
The development began with these three cornerstones. That was in 2016. After six years, thousands of drawings, ten 1:5 models, a wind tunnel model and two 1:1 mock-ups, the Utopia is finished and defies almost all current trends in the super and hyper sports car segment.
While most vehicles in this class rely on hybrid drives and thus on electrification, the Utopia, known internally as the C10, does not require any heavy additional batteries, which is reflected in a curb weight of just 1280 kilos. A dual-clutch transmission is also dispensed with for reasons of weight; instead, Pagani once again offers a manual transmission at the explicit request of the customer.
Typical Pagani, but new
Designing a completely new car is not an easy process. Especially not when the footsteps to be filled are as big as Pagani’s. For Horacio, the top priority was to design a timeless car that does not subject itself to current trends. On the other hand, it was still essential that the Utopia be recognizable as a Pagani at first glance and yet be independent.
Even if Pagani explains in the press release that the Utopia is completely different from all previous models, some parallels can still be seen: At the front, the Utopia has two headlights per side – just like the Zonda and Huayra. For the first time (with the exception of the two Zonda 760 LM), however, these are combined under one headlight glass. The inspiration comes from the lighting of old bicycles and early Vespas. The front, which was tapered on the predecessors, has been significantly toned down on the Utopia and can only be guessed at from the central element of the front hood.
With a little imagination, the front of the Utopia is reminiscent of a mix of Zonda and Huayra.
The rear has taken over clear features of the Zonda. Two (as with the first Zonda) instead of three rear lights per side simplify the design and are intended to be reminiscent of jet turbines. A particular challenge was the aerodynamics, because the Utopia was supposed to do without huge wings right from the start. For this purpose, active aerodynamics (like the Huayra) are combined with electronically controlled dampers.
A detail that should not be missing is the central four-pipe exhaust – the Pagani tradition par excellence since 1999. On the Utopia, the exhaust system is made of ceramic-coated titanium; it should only weigh six kilos in total.
Typical Pagani are detailed solutions such as the exterior mirrors suspended from above, which appear to be floating in the air, and the leather buckles for opening and closing the two hoods. In order to focus on the essentials, Pagani also deliberately decided against a body with a visible carbon finish. Only the forged 21/22-inch rims have carbon aero inserts on the outside, which are not just for show, but also provide additional wheel arch ventilation.
It was the wheels that laid the foundation for the design, as Horacio explained at the world premiere in Milan. It was only with such enormous dimensions that he was able to implement the curved design that he had in mind from the start.
New model, new doors
The cockpit should be timeless and therefore does without a large infotainment screen in the middle. Instead, there are rotary controls and additional instruments milled from aluminum.
In 2022, however, it will not be possible to do without a display entirely, and so there is at least a small digital screen between the analogue round instruments for the most important information. The new steering wheel is milled from an aluminum block and looks like a sculpture even in the noble Pagani cockpit. In the center console, the Italians built four round instruments and filigree knobs for the climate control.
The open shift gate of the manual seven-speed gearbox with first gear at the bottom left (dogleg configuration) is particularly spectacular. As known from the sequential gearbox, the mechanics are exposed. The operation of the manual transmission requires some effort and is acknowledged by a wonderful mechanical click.
The entire interior of the Utopia is of the usual high quality, elegant and at the same time slightly playful. There are only slight deductions in the B grade for the part in front of the passenger. Gone are the days of the noble glove compartment with leather buckle (Zonda) or the carbon storage compartment (Huayra) – instead, the Utopia has a simple leather cover. There could have been a little more here, but that’s complaining at the highest level.
AMG V12 biturbo with 864 hp
The carbon monocoque, which consists of high-tech materials such as Carbo-Titanium and Carbo-Triax, has been reinforced for the Utopia. It should have 38 percent more rigidity and at the same time meet all global crash regulations.
Back to the roots: Pagani offers the Utopia with an optional seven-speed manual transmission. The gearbox with first gear at the bottom left has been specially developed for the new model.
The manual transmission is experiencing a renaissance
Since the Huayra was never available with a manual transmission during the entire construction period, the Utopia is back to its roots here as well. Developing a manual transmission that can withstand the maximum torque of 1100 Nm was a Herculean task, as Pagani reveals.
But customers really wanted to change gear themselves, which is reflected in the fact that more than 50 percent of the Utopia were ordered with a manual transmission. As an alternative to the seven-speed manual transmission, the Utopia can also be ordered with a sequential seven-speed transmission from Xtrac.
The 6.0-liter V12 biturbo was developed by Mercedes-AMG. In the Utopia it delivers 864 hp and 1100 Nm of torque.
Pagani says only this much about the driving performance: The top speed of the Utopia is limited to 350 km/h. The hyper sports car could be faster. So why is the top speed limited? The reason is simple, as Horacio explains at length: “In the last 15 years, no customer has ever asked about the 0-100 km/h time or the top speed. Instead, they want a car that is fun, offers a unique driving experience and still safe.”
99 Utopia Coupé are to be built
The base price of the Utopia is 2.56 million euros gross (2.15 million euros net). On average, however, customers including extras spend around 3.09 million euros on their new Pagani. However, the price is of secondary importance anyway, since all 99 planned Utopia Coupés had already been awarded before the presentation.
Deliveries will start in the summer of 2023 for the vehicles with sequential transmission. The manual Utopia will follow later in the year, due to the fact that the homologation process for the two versions takes place back-to-back.
But the 99 Utopia Coupé is just the beginning, because Pagani has already revealed that a roadster version and numerous special models will follow. During its approximately ten-year construction period, more Utopia than Huayra should be created in total.
And then? Contrary to some rumours, the Italians are still working on the electrical project. Will that be Pagani number four or number five? The time will tell!
