Only 40 to be made⁠—Pagani unveils 800hp US$3.4M Huayra Roadster BC

A completely new Roadster creature. A tribute to scientific research, beauty, and uniqueness. An unprecedented technical challenge. To exceed the customer’s expectations. This is the mission and how, in 2017, the idea of the Huayra Roadster BC came to life. From a curious set of circumstances, a demanding research project was launched with a meticulous, almost obsessive focus on details and design in order to create a highly distinctive, street-legal Pagani hypercar that would combine the unparalleled sensations of driving a roadster with the most advanced technology available today.

All this effort was translated into innovation, invention and exploration of unexplored paths in order to break new ground, never follow car trends and always seek to build truly timeless creations. This is the essence of the Roadster BC. Extreme, exuberant and shaped by hand in line with the fundamental concepts of Leonardo da Vinci’s Art and Science, the cornerstones of Pagani Automobili’s creative philosophy.⁠A road machine created with the latest technologies derived by Pagani track experience and in accordance with the key concepts of Pagani’s DNA. In other words, an intuitive and easy-to-drive vehicle you can master after just a few miles and in which you can enjoy a full open-top experience without affecting the performance.

Only 40 of these fabulous cars will be made at a cost of approximately US$3.4 million.

From the aerodynamics to its exterior and interior design, and right down to its tiniest part, the Roadster BC’s chemistry and combination of advanced composite materials are unprecedented. Like in a sophisticated watch, every single component of the Roadster BC is a concentration of Pagani Automobili’s ultimate design, technology and engineering expertise encapsulated in just 1,250 kg (2,756 lbs).

Pagani aspires for artisanal perfection, creating the greatest hand-built cars with a true hymn to the Renaissance.The Roadster BC was designed to generate an aerodynamic load with a downforce target of 500 kg at 280 km/h, while maintaining a ground clearance that will allow passengers to enjoy driving at its finest, whether it’s on public roads or racetracks.

The Roadster BC offers you maximum control during a thrilling experience, especially when the new Titanium six-exhaust pipe system starts to exalt the roar of the Pagani twelve-cylinder engine. For the first time in Pagani Automobili, this exhaust system features two extra direct outlets from the catalytic converters to exploit the blown diffuser principle and generate further downforce.

The Roadster BC features new, exclusive composite technologies based on carbon-fiber and carbon-titanium that offer an increase of 12% in torsional rigidity and 20% in flexional rigidity compared to Pagani’s state-of-the-art technology.

“Through intense scientific research for developing the Carbo-Triax HP62 and Carbon-Titanium HP62 G2 formulas, we succeeded in achieving some extraordinary results that allowed us to reduce the weight of the vehicle considerably and optimize mechanical features. Even so, when we presented these achievements to Horacio, along with the fact that they involved a 450% increase in material costs, his reaction was, “The customer deserves even more!” said Francesco Perini, Pagani’s Head of Concept & Composite Design.

The Roadster BC is powered by a sensational all-new bespoke twin-turbo 6.0-liter V12 developed by Mercedes AMG for Pagani. The 800 horses and 1,050 Newton-meters of this engine—mated to a race-bred Xtrac transverse seven-speed sequential gearbox—will glue drivers to their seats with its sheer pulling power.

This jewel of an engine complies with the latest international carbon footprint and gas emission standards, including California’s environmental regulations, without having to resort to a hybrid system.

The rear-wheel drive Roadster BC is trustworthy and exciting as it is the result of endless work on numerous elements: the rigidity of the chassis, the vehicle’s dynamics, the elasto-kinematics of the suspension and the lowering of its center of gravity and weight, to name just a few. Having explored, tested and perfected all these aspects, electronics were then added to further increase performance, stability, and safety. These improved electronics not only reduce dive, squat and roll effects intensely, but take the control, safety, and driving ease of the vehicle to a new level. The Roadster BC’s front and rear suspension uses forged aluminum alloy independent double wishbone with helical springs and electronic controlled shock absorbers.

Even the Roadster BC’s ultra-high-performance Pirelli tires are bespoke. “Horacio always sets fascinating challenges. Every time we work together, we find ourselves facing new horizons to push back. These are extremely useful stimuli for us as they allow us to experiment and develop new ideas with an extraordinary partner. Pirelli’s DNA is founded on its innovation and its drive to surpass itself and achieve technological excellence in every product. In fact, all Pagani projects bring something new,” declared Marco Tronchetti Provera, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO at Pirelli.

The Pirelli PZero Trofeo R tires, tailor-made for the Roadster BC, are the result of the close working relationship, partnership and passion that Pirelli and Pagani have shared for the last decade.

“In 10 years of working together with Pirelli, one of the goals we set ourselves was increasing what drivers felt when they held the steering wheel. They had to feel as if their hands were resting on the road. And thanks to the skill and knowhow of the Pirelli technicians this tire is now so communicative you can actually feel when you are reaching its grip limit. Let’s not forget, in fact, that on a bend with almost 2g of lateral force, everything happens extremely quickly,” said Horacio Pagani, Founder & Chief Designer at Pagani Automobili.

Remarkable results were achieved on a number of major test tracks, where the ultimate Pirelli tires performed outstandingly: millimetric precision in bends and an incredible grip allowing a lateral acceleration of 1.9g during constant running, with peaks of 2.2g. The Pirelli PZero Trofeo R tires (with staggered sizes of 265/30 R20 in front and 355/25R21 at the back) are not only synonymous with superior performance, but are also designed to have less rolling resistance, which fosters drivability and comfort. The tires are mounted on special ultra-light 14-spoke rims developed together with APP and which are made of forged Avional alloy.

The Roadster BC is fitted with a “Pagani by Brembo” carbon-ceramic brake system with a 6-piston one-piece front caliper and a 4-piston one-piece caliper at the rear.

Stepping into the Roadster BC is a sensory experience combining elements that pay tribute to past legends of motorsports and Gran Turismo with present and future features. Elegance and style are transmitted by materials like the carbo-wood and finely embossed leather, as well as by mechanisms such as the racing style, four-point seatbelt and sophisticated accessories like the nine-channel audio system.