Pagani approves factory plans for upcoming C9

Posted Wed Sep 17 2008 5:25 PM by James Martinez

C12 Pagani Zonda supercar

The Pagani Zonda is already one of the most dramatically styled and exclusive supercars in recent production but the man behind the car, Horacio Pagani, has more ambitious plans for a new model set to enter production next year. Unlike the Zonda, which was only offered to a few select markets, the new car - internally coded the C9 – is billed as a global model.

To accommodate the expected demand for the car, especially from North America, Pagani will build a brand new state-of-the-art factory near its current Modena site to boost production. The current Zonda is built in a painstakingly slow process, which sees only 16 cars produced annually.

While the same careful craftsmanship will be applied for the C9, EVO reports that the new factory will be three times bigger than Pagani’s current facility, allowing it to build up to 60 cars per year.

Production of the Zonda, meanwhile, is expected to end within the next 12 months because its AMG-prepped 7.3L V12 will no longer be available. Engineers are currently testing four prototypes for the C9, which is expected to be powered by a V8 engine also sourced from Mercedes-Benz.

The car’s styling will be very similar to the Zonda but its overall proportions will be smaller. Expect to see it in full production trim at next year’s Geneva Motor Show in March.

Gallery: Pagani Zonda Clubsport

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Reader Comments

Thu Mar 6 2008 8:47 PM
dsaas says

sick~!
love it
Thu Mar 6 2008 9:20 PM
bambam says

This one will prove that it wasn't luck.
Thu Mar 6 2008 11:16 PM
Austin Douglas says

F1 inspired, or twin clutch manual system? Very nice. Any Interior change ups, hope to view more renderings of the chassis layout for the 8, seems like Koenigsegg has the Pagani working new strength conveniences.

I hope it holds a 6+ footer.
Fri Mar 7 2008 4:32 AM
elclair says

Should be fast as hell....but it is as ugly as hell too. Looks like a toy, a Transformer in 'vehicle mode'
Fri Mar 7 2008 7:44 AM
Alan says

Hope the C9 will have a more compact dimension, the C12 is really really wide at the back. The V8 is probably going to be the 6.2L AMG V8, that engine should be good for 580hp in NA form. I really hope they can make the C9 lighter than the C12 to achieve better performance than the C12 using a smaller engine
Fri Mar 7 2008 8:09 AM
peste says

Pagani is Italian?
Fri Mar 7 2008 9:01 AM
admin says

Alan - the C12 needs to be wide at the back because of the huge tires. We've personally visited the Pagani factory and talked to Mr. Pagani and he explained that the cars are so wide because of the tires and the fact the engine is also located out the back.
Fri Mar 7 2008 9:30 AM
Dasupersprint says

Yes it is italian, the Pagani factory is right between those of Ferrari in Maranello, and Lamborghini in Sant'Agatha.
Sat Mar 8 2008 8:58 PM
Edward says

Pagani the designer is Argentine, from the city of Rosario where there is a GM plant.

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