Highly
respected leading UK monthly motoring magazine 'Car' has given the thumbs
up to the little known Italian supercar, the Pagani Zonda, after a head
to head test with its rivals from Ferrari and Lamborghini. The new Ferrari
575M and the new Lamborghini Murcielargo were pitted together in the showdown
of the Italian supercars, with the Modena-built Pagani Zonda C12 thrown
in.
The Ferrari 575M which made its debut earlier this year is the mid-life facelift of the successful front engined 550 Maranello. With the V12 engine re-worked and increased in capacity to 5,750cc, the 575M ( 'M' for modified ) now puts out 515 bhp and comes fitted with a Ferrari-developed F12-style gearchange. Visual changes are limited to a new front grille and larger bonnet air intake.
The Lamborghini Murcielargo is the first fruit of Audi's ownership of the Italian supercar manufacturer. Generally well received, the Murcielargo has replaced the long serving Diablo model. Its heavily revised 6.2-litre V12 Diablo engine now pushes out over 500 bhp and Audi have gone to great lengths to improve driveability and comfort. Styled by a Belgian Audi designer a novel feature are the air intakes which open up at speed.
These two established contenders were joined by the Pagani Zonda C12. The Zonda is the fruit of Argentinian Horacio Pagani's dream to build a supercar. Moving to Italy from his home country, legend has it that his first job was sweeping the factory floor at Lamborghini. Using his friendship with the late Juan Manuel Fangio, he secured Mercedes-Benz engines for his supercar, the same 500bhp 6.0-litre V12 unit that powers the AMG Mercedes CLK-GTR. Weighing only 2760lbs, the US$400,000 Zonda is built by Modena Design to the highest quality standards and is detailed right down to the option of matching luggage and clothing.
Pitted head to head, 'Car' dismissed the Murcielargo quickly, leaving the Zonda C12 up against the market leading Ferrari 575M. While acknowledging that the Ferrari was the most refined and efficient of the two, the testers were looking for out and out supercar thrills and excitement, and eventually picked the Zonda over the more clinical Ferrari.
