JOHN HALAS wrote:Here’s our first completely unobstructed view of the new Pagani Huayra Roadster, revealed ahead of its formal introduction at next month’s Geneva Motor Show.
As with its closed-top brethren, the Huayra Roadster is a sight to behold, especially in the display model’s transparent blue carbon fiber finish with an equally impressively detailed three-tone interior.
Pagani says the Roadster is more than just a Huayra with a top chopped off, claiming that a whole lot of engineering went into developing the car, culminating with a 6 % or 80kg (176 pounds) reduction in weight over the coupe at 1,280kg (2,822 pounds) while also increasing torsional flexional rigidity. This was largely achieved through the use of new composite materials.
Furthermore, the Roadster comes with an upgraded version of the Mercedes-AMG M158 6.0-liter V12 engine producing 764PS (754hp) at 6,200rpm and peak torque of “over 1,000Nm” (737.5 lb-ft) available from 2,400 rpm. The V12 is paired to the same new seven-speed automated manual transmission engineered and built by Xtrac that’s found in the Huayra BC.
The company also made changes to the suspension that uses a new lightweight aluminum alloy, called HiForg, which was designed specifically for the Roadster, helping reduce weight by 25 per cent over the coupe.
New Brembo carbon ceramic brakes with 380x34 mm discs and 6-piston calipers in the front, and 380x34 mm discs, 4-piston calipers at the rear provide stopping power, while Pagani worked with Pirelli to develop a specific tire for the Roadster (20 inches front, 21 inches at the back) that display the company’s founder initials “HP” on the shoulder. Another unique touch is the re-worked ESP that offers five distinct driving modes: Wet, Comfort, Sport, Race and ESC Off.
Pagani has developed two types of roof for the Roadster, the first comprising of a light carbon hard top with a central glass element that gives it a similar appearance to a coupe, and the other, a fabric and carbon cover can be “easily” stored inside of Huayra Roadster. The exotic automaker did not say nor does it show how the doors open in any of the press pictures, so we’ll have to wait for that bit of info.
Only 100 Roadsters will be made, all of which have already been spoken for at a base price, excluding local taxes, of 2,280,000 euros or about $2.41 million.
