Pagani has uprated the V12 engine in its new Huayra BC Roadster to produce 791hp at 5,900rpm, giving it a 40hp advantage over the 2016 BC coupe, more than countering the negative impacts of a 38kg weight gain. The carbon-roofed BC Roadster, of which just 40 examples are set for production, uses AMG’s M158 6.0-litre with enhanced twin turbochargers, producing 775lb ft of torque from 2,000rpm to 5,600rpm and giving the car a power-to-weight ratio of 640hp per tonne.
Interestingly, Pagani has opted against the use of a double clutch gearbox, instead preferring to use the lighter Xtrac single-clutch seven-speed transaxle that was also used in the BC coupe. The car is built around the carbon fibre structure of the Huayra but the surrounding parts, including its double wishbone suspension, make more use of ultra-exotic materials such as carbon-titanium. This helps keep the car’s total weight down to 1,250kg dry, resulting in an open-top V12 hypercar that’s barely heavier than a Ford Fiesta ST.
To keep this featherweight Italian pinned to the tarmac, the BC Roadster’s bodywork has been crafted to produce 500kg of downforce at 174mph. There are even flaps located along the car’s exhaust system to make use of the hot air for added downforce, a system that you may remember was utilised and then subsequently banned in Formula 1’s blown diffuser days. The results make for some pretty spectacular performance; Pagani claims that the BC Roadster can generate up to 2.2G of force, 1.9G of which is available in a continuous longitudinal form.
With such pace comes the requirement for big stopping power, and the BC duly delivers on that front too. The brake discs are 398mm and 380mm in diameter, working with six and four pot calipers respectively. They’re located behind APP forged monolithic wheels of 20 and 21-inch diameters, which come wrapped in sticky Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R boots. The results make for what is probably the most extreme way to get wind in your hair. If you’ve £3.36 million to hand, we wouldn’t hang about in getting your name down. Alternatively, there's always this 'regular' Huayra...
1 / 4
