The Press communiqué

Autodrome Cannes 

Pagani : the "tailor-made" highest performance

Horacio Pagani, with the Zonda C12 in 1998, then the C12S in 2000 and the Zonda Roadster in 2003, founded a new generation of legendary cars. And this is just the beginning. One hundred years after the first steps made by geniuses of automobile, the History of performance and exclusive cars continues to move on... This year, at the Mondial de l’Auto 2004, Pagani Automobili confirms its development and its exceptional capabilities of innovation and dreaming power.

· AUTODROME-Cannes announces the extension of the PAGANI France dealership network.

· PAGANI and AUTODROME display three Zondas, each one exclusive, according to the desires of their respective owners.

Once again this year, Horacio Pagani and Claude Levy will attend the Paris Motor show in order to personally welcome the Press officers and their clients

The Autodrome (Pagani France) network is growing.

AUTODROME-Cannes, the exclusive PAGANI importer, is very pleased to announce the creation of a new Pagani dealership in France, "Aux Châteaux du Sud-Ouest" (Castles of the South-West). Situated in the South-West of France near Cahors, in a marvellous region of rich History and famous for its vineyards, this facility will be the new appointment place for enthusiasts and experts in fine automobiles.

Its Director, Mr. Pio Radocchia, a man with a remarkable and long experience in performance and prestige cars, will be present at the Mondial de l’Auto 2004 to share his passion for Pagani Automobili. AUTODROME-Cannes, by developing a new PAGANI dealership in France, in a different environment, but quite as exclusive as the Riviera, shows the importance taken by the new Italian marque for an elite of classic cars enthusiasts around the world.

For such clients, performance and quality at the highest level are not enough: they choose a PAGANI to drive a car manufactured to match their own expectations, and which stands above existing standards. Pagani clients can make their (once impossible) dream come true : as it happened in older times when celebrities, artists, or Heads of State ordered their own custom-made automobiles, they want to own and drive a sports car that is built especially for them, meeting their own quest for perfection.

Three Pagani Zonda demonstrate the concept of “tailor made” highest performance.

Pagani Automobili and Autodrome exhibit three Zondas whose character, very different from each other, is a brilliant illustration of the possibilities offered by the tailor-made construction of each Pagani.

· Zonda Roadster S with two-tone paintwork:

Each Pagani is unique, but this one is the first in the world with a two-tone paintwork finish, inspired by fine automobiles of the middle of the XXth century, with an upper part of the body in a gorgeous metallic red, while the lower panes are finished in metallic black enlightened with golden dust. This colour scheme visually merges the carbon components with the lower elements of the body, producing a dynamic effect which streamlines the volumes, particularly on this convertible version. When this Zonda Roadster is moving (and even when standing still) it gives the impression to slip effortlessly on a flying carpet, free from any gravity force...

It should be noted that this Roadster, as the two other Paganis exposed is equipped with the new version of the six speeds gearbox produced by CIMA for Pagani. Thanks to the experience gained in Formula 1, it allows faster gearshifts, while being more comfortable to use thanks to a lever travel reduced by 20%. The selection mechanism and synchros have been improved as well, enhancing the purist character of the manual gear change. This type of development illustrates the permanent search of perfection engaged by Pagani with the Zonda, whose characteristics are constantly improved through technology progress.

· Zonda berlinetta C12S super sport (internal code "Monza"):

Sublimated by the search for pure performance on track, and developed upon the special request from a client used to high-speed driving on private roads and race tracks, this car was built by Pagani according to extreme requirements. It is another example of the infinite possibilities of personalisation at Pagani Automobili. Characteristics:

- Engine is tuned to bring its power beyond 600 HP, equipped with dry-sump lubrication and improved cooling.

- Gearbox ratios are optimised for a very sporty use.

- Aerodynamics are configured for high speeds with increased ground-effect downforce.

- Exhaust is free of any silencer or catalyst so as to increases the power available.

- So as to reduce weight, side windows are in polycarbonate, competition seats have been fitted, and interior was entirely reviewed, including pedals and driving wheel.

- Suspensions setting is firmer and configured for race track driving.

- Braking uses larger diameter discs, and its cooling capacity has been increased.

- The protection structure of the cockpit is further reinforced.

- Additional safety components have been fitted, such as fire-extinguisher and battery switch reachable from outside.

The Zonda Monza does not comply with any specific race regulation since it has simply been conceived according to the client’s desire, without intention of participating in official competitions. It is the very first time that this highly personalised, extreme Pagani is displayed to the public.

· Zonda C12 S 7,3 berlinetta RHD:

Ordered by a British client, and thus fitted with right hand drive, this Zonda is finished in a subtle metallic silver tone with polished carbon elements, and its upholstery is made with contrasting dark and lighter tones of grey leather. As any Pagani, this berlinetta was personalised according to the client’s wishes, from the suspension settings to the engine character and power, so as to perfectly match the driver’s taste and driving habits.

Its noble V12 with titanium rods, fitted in the central carbon monocoque, offers to the owner this unique feeling of an almost complete absence of inertia, and a virtually unlimited power to effortlessly increase or reduce speed, guiding the finest automobile on all kind of roads in an ideal and classy way of driving. This Zonda is already a classic car, celebrating the simple and obvious marriage between the creativity of an engineer called Horacio Pagani, that some call a genius, and the aesthetic preferences of a client of undisputable taste.

This automobile is in a class of its own, combining extreme performance with understated, sober elegance, all in a sensuous comfort and with a manoeuvring capability near perfection.