The Pagani Huayra Coupe was an eye-widening spectacle when it was first unveiled at 2011’s Geneva Motor Show. It signalled a new era for hypercars, raising the bar for lightweight build and innovative performance-based technology.
Now six years on, we’re getting an open-top version, named the Pagani Huayra Roadster, which will also make its world debut in Geneva next month.
The introduction of a removable hard roof, made from carbon and glass, means that the vertically opening gullwing doors of the coupe have been given the chop.
Luckily, the coupe’s AMG-sourced 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged V12 is still here, mated to a seven-speed single-clutch paddleshift gearbox.
Lighter
A car usually becomes heavier after the convertible conversion, due to extra weight coming from structure-strengthening measures.
However, the Huayra Roadster has bucked the trend by weighing less than its coupe counterpart – 1280kg compared to 1350kg. This is down to the Huayra’s stiff monocoque chassis, consisting of a mixture of exotic composites including the fancy-sounding carbo-titanium.
The lower weight means a boost to power output, which is up to 754bhp from 722bhp. Torque has slipped from 811lb ft to 738 lb ft, but jeepers, that’s still plenty.
Meticulous
All this is enough to convince us that the roadster is more than a mere roof-ditching exercise, but Pagani drove the point home by insisting every single element of the car has been scrutinised and redesigned, including an upgraded interior.
A statement from the Italian supercar maker reads: “Unlike most modern supercars, the Huayra Roadster is almost fully exposed, with nearly every mechanical part visible, every last piece proud to be revealed.
“Staying true to the Pagani philosophy of respecting every last detail in the design, every piece of the car is given consideration and attention. Even the smallest screw is designed to be both beautiful and functional.”
Production is capped at just 100 units worldwide and all of them have been sold already, even with prices starting at €2,280,000 (£1.95 million).
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