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2022 Pagani Huayra R: Zonda R Descendant
by Karl Furlong
A spiritual successor to the Zonda R, the Pagani Huayra R - 'R' is for 'racing' - is a more modern but no less ferocious track weapon from the Italian marque. Being a Pagani, nothing about the Huayra R is subtle - from the way it looks to how it performs. The hypercar has a bespoke 6.0-liter naturally aspirated V12 producing 838 horsepower that can spin all the way to 9,000 rpm, managed by a six-speed sequential gearbox. More rigid than the normal, road-legal Huayra, the Huayra R has all the requisite equipment for a hardcore track toy, from carbon-ceramic brake discs to the Pirelli P Zero rubber and six-point safety belts. Only 30 examples of the Huayra R are to be produced at a price on the wrong side of $3 million, placing it in the realm of the Aston Martin Valkyrie and Mercedes-AMG ONE. That's serious company, but between its exotic looks and immense powertrain, the Pagani ripples with excitement and easily lives up to its hypercar billing.
2022 Pagani Huayra R Changes: What's New?
Despite the small production run, one of the major changes for the Huayra R is the adoption of an all-new 6.0-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine designed together with HWA AG, AMG's motorsport partner; it has the power, soundtrack, and light mass desired by Pagani for this project. The Huayra R also has more advanced aerodynamics, including a new roof scoop, new self-ventilated carbon-ceramic brakes, a new six-speed sequential gearbox, and a bespoke exhaust system. The extent of the changes over the normal Huayra goes some way to justifying the stratospheric price.
Pros and Cons
- Exquisite design
- Responsive and deeply compelling V12
- Massively quick and loads of grip
- Reassuringly controllable despite all that power
- Guaranteed exclusivity
- Priced out of reach of most mortals
- All of them are sold out, anyway
- Not road-legal
2022 Pagani Huayra R
Following in the footsteps of the Zonda R, the 2022 Pagani Huayra R shows what can be achieved when a company doesn't have to worry about making a car street-legal. Its bespoke V12 engine makes 838 hp and is incredibly loud, while not needing to fit safety and comfort features keep the Pagani Huayra R's weight ultra low. This spellbinding hypercar comes with a 51% increase in flexural rigidity relative to the road-going Huayra, an independent double wishbone suspension with helical springs and electronically controlled active shock absorbers, and a new sequential transmission. Only around half of the 30 examples slated for production are expected to make it to the USA.
Specs and Trims: Pagani Huayra R Models And Configurations
There is only one Pagani Huayra R trim, but we can't imagine anyone wanting more out of their hypercar. The 6.0-liter V12 engine was developed especially for this car, dispensing with the normal Huayra's turbocharged mill for better responsiveness and an even more fantastic soundtrack. It makes 838 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, and it comes with a six-speed sequential gearbox directing power to the rear axle.
The exotic exterior features 19-inch forged aluminum alloy wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero tires. A large wing and rear diffuser contribute to high downforce. Inside, all essential controls are mounted on the steering wheel, while a high-res motorsport dashboard display provides the driver with essential information. An adjustable pedal set can help the driver find an optimal seating position.
Pagani hasn't detailed any major options or packages for this special machine.
2022 Huayra R
$3,092,000
Starting Price (MSRP)
- Engine:
6.0L V12
- Transmission:
- Drivetrain:
Rear-Wheel Drive
- Configurations:
Huayra R Coupe
Key Features
- 6.0-liter V12 engine (838 hp/553 lb-ft)
- Six-speed sequential gearbox
- 19-inch forged aluminum-alloy wheels
- Digital motorsport dashboard display
- Seats with FIA-approved foam padding and six-point safety belts
Pagani Huayra R Full Specs
Every aspect of the Pagani Huayra R’s specification is meant to enhance the experience of driving this car on track, from its digital motorsport display to the powertrain controls at your fingertips. Track safety is also a priority, so the car has a heavy-duty safety cage, a fire extinguishing system, and six-point safety belts for the racy seats. Outside, you’ll find 19-inch forged aluminum alloy wheels and a brace of aerodynamic enhancements, including new side air intakes, while a new roof scoop with an integrated center fin is fitted, too.
Huayra R Exterior
The Pagani Huayra R is a car that can be appreciated at 150 mph or at a standstill; it's mesmerizing to look at and there are many aesthetic details to take in. Changes for the 2022 Huayra R include new side air intakes, vents above the wheel arches, and a new roof scoop with a center fin. The various aerodynamic features create 2,204 pounds of downforce at 199 mph, including the wing and the flat underbody.
Like other Paganis, distinctive features like the oval headlights and stacked quad exhausts are still present, the latter sitting above a massive diffuser. The lightweight exhaust system deserves a mention, too, being made from Inconel 625/718 alloy. Its tubes are a third of the thickness of a similar system found on road cars, and its design helps to generate one of the loudest V12 engine notes you'll ever hear. The wheels measure 19 inches and are forged aluminum alloy designs. These are wrapped in Pirelli P Zero tires.
Pagani 
Pagani 
Pagani 
See All 2022 Pagani Huayra R Exterior Photos
Dimensions
Dimensions for the new Pagani Huayra R hypercar include a length of 192.9 inches, a width of 81.5 inches, and a height of 48.1 inches. The exotic body is stretched over a 110-inch wheelbase.
What's more impressive about the car is its dry weight of just 2,314 lbs, partly because of its composite monocoque chassis that contains plenty of carbon. The six-speed sequential gearbox with a 3-sintered metal disc racing clutch weighs only 176 lbs.
Exterior Colors
We don't know if a large selection of colors is available for the Pagani Huayra R, but the model seen here has a dark body with gold accents that create a particularly menacing look. Another example had white and gold accents, and we spotted a silver one with orange accents, so we're sure that each buyer was able to customize the car to some extent.
Huayra R Performance
No lap times or 0-60 specs have been quoted for the Pagani Huayra R, highlighting the manufacturer's focus on the driving experience over soulless, black-and-white metrics. Considering its outputs of 838 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, however, we're certain the Huayra R could hit 60 in around three seconds. It all depends on how much traction the rear-wheel-drive exotic can handle with all that grunt sent to just one pair of wheels. The top speed hasn't been stated, either, but Pagani does mention how much downforce can be achieved at 199 mph, so the car can reach at least that.
While we haven't driven the Huayra R ourselves, independent tests suggest that it isn't actually as scary to pilot as you'd think. It's a surprisingly forgiving machine, allowing you to enter and exit corners at outrageously high speeds without feeling like the RWD Huayra R will bite you if you aren't perfectly accurate. Without turbos, the V12 has instant responsiveness and the noise it makes is something to be experienced. Other than Ferrari's N/A V12, few other engines can match the emotional quality of the Huayra's R powertrain. Listening to it from the outside, you would not think that the noise could come from anything but an F1 machine.
Ample grip, dramatic acceleration, and the sensations through the steering wheel and chassis all add up to a machine that fully immerses its driver in the action.
Pagani 
Pagani 
Pagani 
Engine and Transmission
Built by HWA, a Mercedes-AMG subsidiary, the 6.0-liter V12 engine in the Pagani Huayra R is a masterpiece. Without forced induction, it can rev to 9,000 rpm, with 838 hp developed at 8,250 rpm. With 553 lb-ft of torque in a car that weighs this little, it's no surprise that the car flies off the mark.
Horacio Pagani said he wanted this engine to have the "charm, romance, sound, and simplicity of the F1 engines of the 1980s," which reflects its brilliance. The V12 is attached to the central monocoque, helping to form a structural element that supports the transmission system and subframes.
A six-speed sequential gearbox was newly designed for this car. This non-synchronized dog ring gearbox delivers 95% friction efficiency, very quick shift times, and great precision.
-
Engine
6.0L V12
-
Transmission
six-speed sequential
-
Drivetrain
RWD
Huayra R Gas Mileage
No EPA ratings are available, and none will ever be published for this track-only weapon. Being a large-capacity, high-revving V12, we wouldn't be surprised if the Huayra R dipped into the single digits for mpg when used in anger. Pagani hasn't confirmed the gas tank size, which could be different from the normal Huayra's 19 gallons.
Huayra R Interior
The interior of the Pagani Huayra R is an exciting place to sit, with an obvious focus on the driver. The quick-release steering wheel houses an absurd number of controls for things like the traction control, ABS map selection, and the radio. At the back of it are the gearshift paddles, so you can keep your hands on the wheel and your focus on the next apex. There are more switches and knobs on the center console, while key information is found on the motorsport dashboard display. Exotic materials are everywhere you look, but without the sheer glitziness of a normal Huayra cabin, since weight-saving was a more crucial factor here.
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Pagani 
Pagani 
See All 2022 Pagani Huayra R Interior Photos
Seating and Interior Space
There is only enough interior space for two people in the Pagani Huayra R. The seats are fully incorporated into the new monocoque, which Pagani says creates maximum protection. The seats have Ener-Core EC 50 FIA-approved foam padding that adapts to the body of each occupant, and to help the driver get even more comfortable, there is an adjustable pedal set. The seating position is ultra-low and quite snug, but you can remove the steering wheel to ease ingress and egress. Even so, the broad sills make getting out of this car in a dignified manner almost impossible, especially since your legs will be trembling from the experience of driving it.
-
Seating capacity
2-seater
Interior Colors and Materials
Compared to the normal Huayra, the materials inside the Huayra R aren't as glossy. It's still a meticulously crafted interior, though, with plenty of visible carbon fiber and other exotic materials. The interior environment is mostly dark, lifted by color accents around some switches and on the door pulls. We're sure some customization is available here.
The seats are upholstered in a Nomex flame-retardant material, and there are carbon fiber headrests for enhanced lateral protection.
Huayra R Trunk and Cargo Space
Nobody buying a Pagani Huayra R will care about cargo space, especially in what is a track-only hypercar. Even the normal Huayra doesn't have a traditional trunk, only some storage boxes for odds and ends. Your best bet for storing anything is on an empty passenger seat.
Huayra R Infotainment and Features
Features
Although it has air conditioning, there are not many other amenities equipped to the Huayra R, which is perfectly in keeping with a track-only hypercar such as this. On the yoke-style steering wheel, there are buttons to control the drive mode, traction control settings, and much more. Move over to the center console, and there are physical switches for the dampers, wipers, and lights. The racing cage envelopes the occupants, and everything feels delightfully raw and mechanical, including the exposed steering column.
Infotainment
A button marked 'radio' is the only sign of any entertainment options inside the Huayra R, but we can't imagine even the best sound system drowning out the cacophony from that V12. More importantly, there is a motorsport digital display ahead of the driver that displays key information about speed and more. It's mounted in the driver's line of sight, which is important when covering ground at the speeds this car is capable of.
Huayra R Problems and Reliability
With only 30 examples being produced, there is no comprehensive reliability record for the Pagani Huayra R. We assume Pagani will be quick to attend to any issues, considering the price of the car.
The V12 engine is said to be easy to run, with servicing only required every 10,000 kilometers - or around 6,200 miles. Pagani's warranty coverage for the 2022 Huayra R hasn't been specified, but we assume the car is covered for major defects for a reasonable time frame. It's not likely that the automaker would risk their reputation on an unhappy client.
Huayra R Safety
No safety review of the Pagani Huayra R exists, especially as it's not legal for the road, extremely limited, and worth millions.
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
NHTSA safety ratings are not available at this time.
Key Safety Features
With a removable steering wheel, the Huayra R doesn't even have a driver's airbag, but it doesn't need to conform to normal safety regulations. Pagani does specify that the car complies with the strictest FIA requirements for GT vehicles, and there is a fire extinguishing system if the worst happens. The seat material is flame retardant, and the heavy-duty safety cage integrated into the central monocoque has various absorption structures. Perhaps the car's best safety feature is an attentive driver.
Verdict: Is The Pagani Huayra R A Good Car?
It may carry the Huayra name, but Pagani has put such an extraordinary amount of effort into making the Huayra R fit for duty as a hardcore track weapon that it almost deserves a name of its own. From the bespoke V12 to the new gearbox and revised suspension, the Huayra R is unwavering in its mission to provide an immersive experience on track. Even the most extreme enthusiasts will fail to emerge from a stint in the Huayra R and be unmoved by the emotion it emits from every pore. From the staggering traction to the unfiltered howl of the V12, it delivers blockbuster entertainment. Sadly, the car's limited production run and prohibitive price means its talents can only ever be experienced by a lucky few.
What's The Price Of The Pagani Huayra R?
The starting price of the 2022 Pagani Huayra R was €2.6 million plus tax when launched. Depending on the exchange rate, it can easily surpass $3 million, and that's before any potential customization further increases the cost.
Additional Packages
We know that the Pirelli tires are available in wet or dry versions, and that the Huayra R comes in different colors, but beyond this, it's not known what packages or options are available for the hypercar.
What Pagani Huayra R Model Should I Buy?
Even if you can afford the high MSRP, all 30 examples of the Pagani Huayra R are sold out, but if you're in a position to buy a lightly used one, you should jump at the chance. We suspect most will hang on to these rarities, however.
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