The Pagani Zonda R was designed as a 750hp track-only race car, limited to 10 units ever to be built, priced at €1.2 million and made almost exclusively of carbon fiber. It has yet to reach production, however. The Zonda Cinque, believed to wear the same body the Zonda R will eventually be fitted with, is even more exclusive and every bit as capable a performer. Those with a talent for foreign tongues have already noticed that the Cinque's name is the Italian word for 'five' - because only five of the street-legal racers will be built.
Powered by a slightly detuned version of the 7.3L V12 engine found in other Zondas that produces 678hp (505kW) and 780Nm of torque, the Cinque makes the run from 0-124mph (0-200km/h) in just 9.8 seconds with a top speed of over 350km/h. It's a relative bargain at just €800,000 and with the limited-edition nature, the car will likely only appreciate in value. The car looks a lot like the Zonda F that set a record time at the Nurburgring in October last year, a feat it achieved with a mere 650hp. The extra 28hp on tap gives the 1,210kg Cinque a power-to-weight ratio of 3.9lbs/hp or 2.4kg/kW.
In the brain of the Zonda Cinque is a special ABS and traction control unit designed by Bosch, along with controls for the robotized Automac sequential gearbox. Sticky Pirelli PZero rubber wrapped around 19x9" front and 20x12.5" rear wheels mean the car may tend a bit toward steady-state understeer in high-speed corners thanks to the disparate contact patches at either end, which is sure to make the lawyers happy, and might just keep some less-skilled but wealthy enthusiasts out of the hedgerow. Lateral acceleration is nevertheless rated at a maximum of 1.45g - race-car territory, on street tires - while the brakes shut the show down from 200km/h in just 4.3 second and from 100km/h in 3.1 seconds.
For more background on Pagani and its cars, check out our review of the Zonda F Clubsport.
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