Is AMG the right engine choice for Pagani?
Discussion
Am I the only one or do the Pagani AMG engines seem under powered considering the displacment of the Merc units? I don't have the exact spec memorized but all the engines I recall were well under 100hp per litre.
Furthermore if I'm not mistaken none of the engines are DOHC which would close the gap to 100 hp/ litre and get closer to Lambo engine specs.
I mention this after seeing a 7 litre engine in an open top Pagani with less than 600hp. That's still alot of power but isn't a 7 litre engine heavy!?
I have heard a beautiful story about how Pagani got started with help from Fangio but it also involved a baseless urge to use Merc power.
I just hate to see a beautful car full of light weight carbon fiber in a class of it's own being diluted by an underpowered Merc boat engine.
Comments or thoughts welcome. Perhaps there is something I don't know about?
Furthermore if I'm not mistaken none of the engines are DOHC which would close the gap to 100 hp/ litre and get closer to Lambo engine specs.
I mention this after seeing a 7 litre engine in an open top Pagani with less than 600hp. That's still alot of power but isn't a 7 litre engine heavy!?
I have heard a beautiful story about how Pagani got started with help from Fangio but it also involved a baseless urge to use Merc power.
I just hate to see a beautful car full of light weight carbon fiber in a class of it's own being diluted by an underpowered Merc boat engine.
Comments or thoughts welcome. Perhaps there is something I don't know about?
Yes it is the right engine! Fact: v12 mercedes engines have NEVER been rebuilt yet. More power is all very well but what's the point if it's off the road? Bugger all! I doubt you could even use the extra power anyway, even on a track. The lack of electric traction and stability devices is what makes the zonda so good too. Best left all alone and let the fat lambo's / ferrari's catch up for a few years.
The AMG engine is a gem, especially for the Pagani.
Look at the torque curve and you'll understand where the 7.3L displacement comes from. Plus the Pagani is still a very light car. Eats a Murci for Breakfast
Looks are subjective though I admit, I prefer the Murci in that respect. Plus not sure how the service network is organised since it is such a small firm but from what I've read, build qulity and reliability are fantastic.
Just made a roadster version too!
Fanch.
Look at the torque curve and you'll understand where the 7.3L displacement comes from. Plus the Pagani is still a very light car. Eats a Murci for Breakfast
Looks are subjective though I admit, I prefer the Murci in that respect. Plus not sure how the service network is organised since it is such a small firm but from what I've read, build qulity and reliability are fantastic.
Just made a roadster version too!
Fanch.
AMG V12 is emphatically the correct engine for Pagani - not reaching the magic 100bhp per litre is probably a good thing for driveability / reliability and lets face it, the cars not exactly short of urge! I certainly wouldn't describe it as a boat engine, its crafted from fine light alloys and prbably weighs little more than the Lambo V12, perhaps less without DOHC - the extra material required for larger bores really doesn't weigh a great deal in this context.
Then there's the noise: OH. MY. GOD. The only better sounding road engine I've heard is the Macca F1; fabulous.
Can you think of a better engine for the Zonda outside of Ferrari / Lambourghini?
Then there's the noise: OH. MY. GOD. The only better sounding road engine I've heard is the Macca F1; fabulous.
Can you think of a better engine for the Zonda outside of Ferrari / Lambourghini?
The AMG engine is spot-on for a small manufacturer like Pagani. Trying to develop their own supercar engine in today's eco-weenie world would have bankrupted them.
As a newcomer on the supercar scene I reckon you have to make a big impression by showing up with a car which actually drives well, not something that has endless teething problems.
I suppose it's also much easier to service these engines than a purpose built motor. Comes in handy when you market your car globally.
Agree completely about the NOISE: utterly glorious and fit for the Gods (make sure you tick the box 'sports exhaust' on your order form, though).
MDG.
PS. On a pedantic note : all versions of the Merc V12 (6.0, 7.0 and 7.3 litre) have 48 valves and four overhead cams.
As a newcomer on the supercar scene I reckon you have to make a big impression by showing up with a car which actually drives well, not something that has endless teething problems.
I suppose it's also much easier to service these engines than a purpose built motor. Comes in handy when you market your car globally.
Agree completely about the NOISE: utterly glorious and fit for the Gods (make sure you tick the box 'sports exhaust' on your order form, though).
MDG.
PS. On a pedantic note
: all versions of the Merc V12 (6.0, 7.0 and 7.3 litre) have 48 valves and four overhead cams.
trackdemon said:
Then there's the noise: OH. MY. GOD. The only better sounding road engine I've heard is the Macca F1; fabulous.
Really ? To my ears the multi Webered supercar creations (eg. GT40, 250GTO, Miura) of the mid to late sixties sound infinitely better than anything built since. The F1 doesn't sound as good as a current M3 until you rag it, which isn't really possible anywhere
(although I intend to give it a good go later, providing the weather holds) AFAIK the reason for the monumental sound track is the sports exhaust which Pagani probably fit to every press car. Very clever...
I'm not sure if a Zonda with sports exhaust would pass the noise tests. Probably not. I suppose they overcome this by selling it as an aftermarket option.
MDG.
I'm not sure if a Zonda with sports exhaust would pass the noise tests. Probably not. I suppose they overcome this by selling it as an aftermarket option.
MDG.
MDG said: AFAIK the reason for the monumental sound track is the sports exhaust which Pagani probably fit to every press car. Very clever...
I'm not sure if a Zonda with sports exhaust would pass the noise tests. Probably not. I suppose they overcome this by selling it as an aftermarket option.
MDG.
The sports exhausts are fitted by the dealer and cost almost £8,000.
For those that haven't had the good fortune to hear a Zonda, try this : http://perso.club-internet.fr/lchaboud/sorties/supercar/videos/pagani_short2.mpg
Try the rest of the site as well: http://perso.club-internet.fr/lchaboud/sorties/supercar/videos/videosupercars.htm
MDG.
Try the rest of the site as well: http://perso.club-internet.fr/lchaboud/sorties/supercar/videos/videosupercars.htm
MDG.
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