Pagani is presenting a scale model of its extreme track-only version of the Zonda F which will debut within the next few months at the Geneva Motor Show.

The next-generation Pagani supercar will continue to use Mercedes-AMG power, Pagani Automobili has announced at the Geneva Motor Show. At the Swiss show this week the Modena based sportscar maker is showing its Zonda F Coupé and Roadster production models on a spacious stand. It has also presented a scale model of its extreme track-only final evolution vof the Zonda range, to be called the Zonda R, which will debut within the next few months.

Pagani manufacture just one exclusive supercar model, the Zonda, and after nine years in limited production the firm is busy working on a new-generation supercar. The Zonda has always used Mercedes-AMG power, which results from a deal that came about with the help of former F1 World Champion Juan-Manuel Fangio who was a long-time friend and inspiration of his fellow Argentinean and Automobili Pagani founder, Horacio Pagani.

"Mercedes-AMG and Pagani Automobili are pleased to announce the exclusive development and OEM supply of engines by Mercedes-AMG for the next Pagani vehicle," read the statement issued this week by Automobili Pagani.

"The agreement has been signed by Mercedes-AMG CEO Volker Mornhinweg and Horacio Pagani. The highly successful results achieved during the past years with the Pagani Zonda powered by a bespoke, handcrafted 12 cylinder AMG engine have further reinforced the strength in the relationship between two brands putting passion, technology and performance at the top of their corporate beliefs," the statement concluded.

The Pagani Zonda first arrived on the scene at Geneva in 1999, dubbed the C12. Built out of carbon fibre it set impressive standards for its high quality and perfect finish. The first versions were fitted with a 6.0-litre V12 AMG-tuned Mercedes-Benz engine, before a year later a 7.0-litre lump, once again tweaked by AMG, took over in the renamed C12 S. In 2003 the engine got even bigger again, and this time a 7.3-litre AMG unit featured. In 2005 the Zonda F (F referring to Fangio) burst onto the scene in Geneva, a thoroughly reengineered version.

The Zonda F Roadster, with a removable canvas roof, followed a year later at the Swiss show. An unsuccessful race version (the Zonda GR) was also built, whilst the final version to leave the Modena factory will be an extreme track use only model, the Zonda R, which will share just 10 percent of its components with the Zonda F. It is reported that the Zonda R will also feature components destined for the next generation supercar and as such will be a testbed.

by Edd Ellison in Geneva