Goodwood Festival of Speed: The Gathering of Gearheads
Last week at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, an event that is basically Christmas for car enthusiasts, CarBuzz had the pleasure of a friendly chat with Christopher Pagani, son of the legendary Horacio Pagani.
Picture this: amidst the roaring engines and the scent of burnt rubber, they found discussing everything from the jaw-dropping Bugatti Tourbillon to the sleek new BMW M5. But of course, there main focus was the burning question on every Pagani fan’s mind: What’s next for this iconic Italian supercar maker?
The Utopia of Today and Tomorrow
Let’s kick things off with the 2023 Pagani Utopia, a car that’s as close to automotive heaven as you can get. With a base MSRP of $2.5 million, it’s not just a car; it’s a statement.
Under the hood, it packs a 6.0L Twin-Turbo V12 engine, delivering a heart-pounding 852 horsepower. It’s a beast, a beauty, and everything in between. But as we gazed at this marvel, our thoughts drifted towards the future. What lies beyond the Utopia?
Pagani’s Dance with the EV Devil
Now, if you’ve been keeping your ear to the ground, you might’ve heard whispers about Pagani dabbling in the electric vehicle (EV) realm.
Yes, you read that right. Christopher Pagani, the marketing maestro, dropped a bombshell: “We loved working on the electric car, and we still are working on this project, so it’s not a closed chapter for us.” Hold on to your gearsticks, folks, because things are about to get spicy.
EV or Not EV: That is the Question
Despite the enthusiasm for electric hypercars, Christopher’s response was a bit of a rollercoaster. He revealed that while Pagani is indeed working on EV technology, there’s a significant hurdle: their core customer base just isn’t interested.
“After all the meetings with our dealer network worldwide, there has been no interest in a [fully electric] Pagani hypercar,” he confessed. Ouch. It seems like the Pagani faithful prefer the symphony of a V12 over the silent swiftness of an EV.
Performance Beyond Horsepower
“For us, the performance is [in] the vehicle dynamics. It’s not the amount of horsepower. It’s not the top speed,” Christopher explained. And there it is. Pagani isn’t about chasing numbers for the sake of it.
They’re about the experience, the thrill, and the soul of driving. It’s about crafting a machine that’s more than the sum of its parts. So, while an all-electric Pagani might not be zooming into your dreams anytime soon, the company isn’t closing the door on the idea entirely.
The EV Tease: A Virtual Affair
Here’s another nugget of juicy info: Pagani has never produced a full-scale working prototype of an electric supercar. Nope. All their EV development has been in the virtual realm.
This means they haven’t sunk millions into EV tech just yet. They’re playing it smart, watching the EV world evolve, and biding their time. Smart move, right? It’s like watching everyone else try the new rollercoaster before you decide to hop on.
Pagani’s Legacy of Innovation
Pagani isn’t just any car manufacturer. They’ve always been innovators, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. The Zonda was a game-changer, introducing composite materials like never before.
The Huayra? The first twin-turbo hypercar, developed with AMG to create something truly unique. And the Utopia? It’s bringing back the manual gearbox, a move that’s both nostalgic and revolutionary in today’s automatic world.
The Manual Gearbox: A Love Letter to Purists
Speaking of manual gearboxes, Christopher shed some light on why they’re so important to Pagani. “Providing the manual gearbox was extremely difficult because of the high torque outputs of modern powertrains, but without it, the automaker would have fewer customers.” It’s a balancing act, but one that Pagani has mastered. They know their audience, and they deliver what the true enthusiasts crave.
What’s Next for Pagani?
So, what does the future hold for Pagani? Will we see an electric hypercar with the Pagani badge? Maybe, but not until the technology is right. Pagani isn’t in a rush. They’re in it for the long haul, ready to embrace new tech when it aligns with their vision. For now, they’re sticking to what they do best: creating hypercars that make your heart race and your soul sing.
The Conclusion: Pagani’s Path Forward
In the end, Pagani’s path forward is as exciting as it is uncertain. They’re a brand that thrives on innovation, pushing the envelope, and delivering the unexpected. Whether it’s through the roar of a V12 or the silent speed of an electric motor, Pagani will continue to captivate and inspire. So, keep your eyes peeled and your engines revving, because the journey with Pagani is far from over.
