6/22/2014

Cars America Missed Out On: Pagani Zonda

Hard to believe, but it's true.

You can thank the EPA and DOT (Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Transportation) for this one. In 1999, a nearly unknown boutique Italian car company launched a supercar that would change the automotive landscape forever. That company was Pagani and its debut model was the Zonda. Powered by an AMG-produced 6.0-liter V12, the C12 was the first of many Zonda variants built throughout its 14 year life cycle.


Displacement was soon increased to 7.0 liters, and later to 7.3 liters. A total of 206 Zondas were constructed at Pagani’s factory in Modena, Italy, most of which call Europe home. Approximately 10 Zondas have found their way to the US, but they can’t be driven any more than 2,500 miles per year. That’s because they’re under the EPA and DOT “Show and Display” title. Thankfully the Zonda’s replacement, the Huayra, is fully legal for sale in the US, but it’s still a damn shame the Zonda never had that same privilege.











No comments:

Post a Comment