Key facts about the Pagani Utopia
● V12 biturbo from Mercedes-AMG
● 864 hp and 1100 Nm between 2800 and 5900 rpm
● no hybrid system
● 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
● completely sold out
● Market launch summer 2023
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 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 although 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 simplicity.
The development began with these three cornerstones. 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 electrification, the Utopia, internally called 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. And 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 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 also has clear features of the Zonda. Two 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. The exhaust system of the Utopia is made of ceramic-coated titanium and 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.
New model, new doors
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 Italians have installed four round instruments and rotary controls milled from aluminum in the center console. For the seven-speed manual gearbox with first gear on the bottom left (dogleg configuration), Pagani has designed a new open shift gate.
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 again for the Utopia, is said to 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 rpm was a Herculean task, as Pagani reveals. But the customers really wanted to switch themselves. Alternatively, the Utopia can also be ordered with a sequential seven-speed transmission from Xtrac. Unfortunately, the Italians are not revealing performance at the moment.
The 6.0-liter V12 biturbo was developed by Mercedes-AMG and delivers 864 hp and 1100 Nm in the Utopia.
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 summer 2023 for the vehicles with sequential transmission, the Utopia with manual transmission will follow later in the year. But as we know Pagani, we can certainly look forward to many more variants, because it will certainly be many years until the fourth act!
