As a young boy in South America, Pagani was influenced by the designs and artwork of Leonardo DaVinci. Pagani was so inspired, in fact, that he moved halfway around the world, just to be in the proximity of DaVinci and automakers like Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati.
Today, Pagani is a known and well-respected brand, at least in the uppermost strata of the supercar world. While automakers like Ferrari churn out thousands of cars annually, Pagani produces dozens. In fact, at its current location, Pagani’s maximum capacity is just 20 cars per year.
Take a closer look, and it’s easy to see why. Components aren’t just designed in house, most are manufactured there as well. All of the carbon fiber components are built in house, with monocoques using a fabric with a titanium weave for added strength and energy dissipation.
The fact that it costs some $300 per square meter (in raw form) is irrelevant, as no expense is spared in making a Zonda or Huayra the best it can be. That ties back to Pagani’s design philosophy as well: when you've created the best you can, give it another try. By striving for 120-percent of perfection, you can occasionally hit 85-percent.
While Pagani was mostly absent from the U.S. market with the Zonda (which wasn’t subjected to Department of Transportation crash testing), they will eventually have a presence here with the Huayra. First, 11 cars must be submitted for crash testing, a painful and expensive proposition for a manufacturer like Pagani.
While some may see a Rolls-Royce as the ultimate expression of luxury, for us it’s Pagani. When we hit the right lottery combination, we promise to park ours in the living room, under a spotlight, so that others can appreciate the beauty of Horacio Pagani’s designs.