Pagani has achieved an almost mythic reputation in the automotive industry as it produces some of the most outlandish, quickest, and highly customizable cars in the world. However, they have only produced two models, the Zonda and the Huayra, although there have been numerous rare and specialized versions of each model. The latest ultra-exclusive model is possibly the most visually modified Pagani ever, the Codalunga. Only five units will be made and each has been sold for nearly $7.4 Million.

In case you were wondering what that hard-to-pronounce Italian word is, Cadalunga means 'longtail' in Italian. While you would not guess by looking at it, the Cadalunga is essentially a Huayra underneath the wildly changed body.

What's different?

Let us start with the obvious - the body. The Cadalunga was designed to mimic Le Mans racers of the 1960s and, as a result, features extended bodywork along with retro-looking curves. The most significant changes are at the back with the bottom of the rear bumper raising to meet a near verticle end populated by the exhaust and taillights, but no rear grille.

The taillights are not stock either. They are small circles arranged in a line beneath the swooping rear quarter panel. The exhaust looks different as well, with matte grey paint and exits that seem less gaping than normal. Also, the engine cover is much longer than before, nearly 14 inches (360 mm) longer in fact.

The front bumper now features a wider front grille in the same oval shape as the Pagani logo and the sides retain the numerous vents and chasms that feed air into the engine.

Plus, this new version is lighter at 2821 pounds (1280 kg) compared to the standard Huayra's 2976 pounds (1350 kg).

What's the same?

The Cadalunga has the same twin-turbo V-12 from the Huayra Imola, same with the seven-speed sequential gearbox. However, while the Imola had to make do with 827 horsepower, the Cadalunga maxes out at 840 horsepower and 811 pound-feet of torque. Pagani is keeping exact performance figures close to the vest, but expect similar numbers to other limited edition Huayras. So, probably about 2.3 seconds for the 0-60 mph sprint, and a top speed of about 220-225 mph.

The interior is also quite similar to the standard Huayra, which isn't exactly a bad thing, with beautiful woven leather, carbon fiber, neon LEDs, and controls milled from a solid aluminum block.

How did this come about?

The concept was born in 2018 when some Pagani enthusiasts enquired about a longtail Huayra coupe. They were sent over to Pagani Grandi Complicazioni, an in-house division dedicated to exclusive models and one-offs.

“We made the Huayra Codalunga longer and smoother , as if it had been caressed and molded by the wind, to design lines that were even more elegant than the coupe. We drew inspiration from the long tails of the 1960s that raced at Le Mans, which had very clean lines," said Horacio Pagani. "Simplifying is not at all straightforward, and this vehicle is, above all, the result of a complex pursuit of simple ideas.”