Italian Pagani almost shocked the world when they launched the Zonda super sports car back in 1999.
Since then, the Italians have built on their passion for delivering world-class cars – with a particular focus on design and an “extraordinary” and vivid driving experience.
For Pagani, the V12 engine, incidentally supplied by Mercedes, has always been an important part of its identity.
Like the rest of the world, the issue of electrification has naturally also been on the table for the management at Pagani.
– The Pagani Huayra Tricolore offers 840 horsepower and a whopping 1,100 Nm.
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Don’t believe in electric future
In 2018, a team at Pagani was tasked with looking at the company’s possibilities for producing electric cars.
– Horacio Pagani wants to continue with petrol engines.
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Now, after four years of study, Pagani CEO Horacio Pagani is clear: He sees no future for Pagani with electric drive.
– After four years, we never found any interest in electric operation in the super sports car market, says Pagani to British Autocar.
He adds that the electrification of the world’s supercars will not have any particular climate benefit:
– 90 percent of the world’s energy is created in a non-renewable way, so it would be foolish to think that some such super sports cars will have any major impact on the climate, he says.
Pagani Huayra: It doesn’t get much hotter than this
– Everything from Pagani is extreme. The interior is no exception.
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Electric cars are too heavy
Horacio Pagani has several objections to electric cars. Among other things, he believes the supercars will be far too heavy.
Pagani’s studies show that they have to install a battery pack of 600 kilograms – to achieve equivalent performance to today’s petrol-powered models.
It actually corresponds to more than half the weight of today’s Huayra R, which has a curb weight of 1,050 kilograms. Incidentally, the car has a 6-litre V12 engine with a whopping 850 horsepower and a torque of 750 Nm.
– The V12 engines are supplied by Mercedes-AMG.
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Doesn’t give the same feeling
Beyond increased weight, Pagani believes that an electric model will not provide the same driving sensation as a petrol-powered version.
According to the chief executive, Pagani does not want to exclusively offer fierce performances. The cars must “give emotions to the driver”, he believes.
– The challenge is to build an electric car that gives the same good feeling as an ICE (Internal Combustion Engine), says Pagani to Autocar.
So time will tell if Pagani will hesitate on the petrol engine or if they will eventually have to bite into what probably feels like a slightly sour electric car apple…
Tom Egeland clung to Lamborghini: – It’s important to treat yourself to the dream!
– This is the Pagani Huayra Roadster, which was launched in 2017.
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Cycling pro Alexander Kristoff had one requirement when the dream car was to be fulfilled: V12 engine!
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