Since 1999, Pagani Automobili has been churning out some of the most exciting Italian super/hypercars. After the numerous Zonda editions, came the Huayra’s turn. Like the Pagani Zonda, the Pagani Huayra has come with its fair share of special editions, and in 2022, the most hardcore of all Huayras is going on sale – the Pagani Huayra R. Being a track-focused monster, the Huayra is meant to be driven hard, which is exactly what we see on this video, from the Monza racetrack, in Italy.

Like the Pagani Zonda R, the Pagani Huayra R is a track-only racecar that doesn’t need to cover any regulations, in terms of noise or power output. This means that the engineers could go mad, which they did. The result is a super-lightweight, V-12-powered track weapon that sounds like an old Formula One car. And no, we are not exaggerating, at all.

The Huayra’s exquisite carbon-fiber-titanium structure allows it to be super rigid and super-light. It tips the scales at just 2,315 pounds (1,050 kg). The Huayra R, like all Pagani cars before it, uses a version of the Mercedes CLK GTR’s M120 engine, through its partnership with AMG. The 6.0-liter V-12 does not rely on forced induction and revs to 9,000 RPM. It packs 850 horsepower and 590 pound-feet (800 Nm), which allows for a top speed of 238 mph (383 km/h) – 5 mph (98 km/h) more than the Zonda R and a 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in under 3.0 seconds.

Pagani Huayra R specifications

Engine

6.0-liter V-12

Power

850 HP

Torque

590 LB-FT

0 to 60 mph

<3 seconds

Top Speed

238 mph


Even more exciting is the fact, Huayra R sends the power to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox. This is shaping up to be something of a trend with hyper-exclusive, hypercars, as we see it on other vehicles such as the Gordon Murray T50McLaren F1’s spiritual successor.

More importantly, the video showcases not just Huayra’s incredible looks, but also its epic sound, reminiscent of Formula One’s golden years, before downsizing, turbocharging, emissions, and pointless politics.

Even the regular Huayra (if we can call it that) is produced in just 100 copies, so it’s not exactly a common sight. It’s even truer for the Huayra R, which will be built in only 30 units, 20 of which already sold, for the price of $3.0 million.

With its radical and functional aesthetics, the Pagani Huayra R makes even the Batmobile look like a Hippy’s VW Bus, by comparison. The fact that very few of these will be built and that they are not street-legal means most of us will never see one in person. Moreover, with gasoline-powered vehicles getting petrol/gasoline particulate filters (PPF/GPF), even the more performance-oriented offerings would only dream of an orgasmic soundtrack such as the Huayra R’s. Words don’t do it any justice, so swipe up for some epic video content.