King of the 'Ring: Pagani Zonda F sets new Norschleife lap record
You can make a car that accelerates. You can make a car that brakes. You can make one that handles. One that corners. One with a high top speed. But to make one that does it all is a different story entirely. That's why automakers go to the Nürburgring. Its northern loop is twenty-two kilometers of twists, turns, dips, straights, chicanes...even a carousel. And it's got a new champion.
The Pagani Zonda F recently lapped the track that claimed Lauda's ears in a scant 7:27:82, edging out the previous ruler, the Porsche Carrera GT (which it also rivals for carbon-fiber content in its construction). The Zonda's hot lap shaved a mere two milliseconds off the Carrera's time, but those are two milliseconds the German supercar evidently couldn't muster on its own home track. How embarrassing, ja?
The specific model that hit the high time was a Clubsport version, which itself will be trumped by the even more extreme Zonda R before designer Horacio Pagani goes back to the drawing board for the Zonda's successor.
[Source: Motor Authority]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
nissanfreak87 11:37AM (10/19/2007)
dang that car is amazing. If only I was a famous playboy billionaire, then I could have one of my own.
Impressive numbers!!!!!
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theSAWzall 11:48AM (10/19/2007)
I wonder if that's the one I caught on the 'rings webcam?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/79476372@N00/1432844523/
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theSAWzall 12:23PM (10/19/2007)
I just spotted the timestamp on the picture above 9/25, and I took my screenshots on the 24th. But the crowd standing around seems to indicate something special going on.
Aimée 2:13PM (10/20/2007)
theSAWzall: I was at the Nürburgring that day! There were not one but two Zondas there (one was a Zonda F). After the public-access hours ended, the Zonda F and a RUF rt12 went on on their own, we stayed to watch them do a couple laps. It was great.
Bert: the day that I was there, the Zonda and the rt12 were doing flying laps. This isn't something that members of the public get to do. Someone driving their own car would normally time themselves from bridge to gantry.
Here are our pictures from that day: http://shush.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=7876
Aimée 2:20PM (10/20/2007)
Hah, wait, I just realized the Zonda F that set the record is the same one in our pics!
srivendel 11:46AM (10/19/2007)
God bless Horacio Pagani. It's so refreshing to see an independent Italian coachbuilder poking a stick in the eye of the big dogs. Makes it feel like all is right with the world.
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TEM 2:24PM (10/19/2007)
Lets all rein in the hyperbole.
I guess I am the only person here who thinks this thing, regardless of its performance, looks like crap...
darth 2:59PM (10/19/2007)
TEm,
this car was not designed to be the best looking thing ever.
It was designed to be an enthuseusts car
that why its never seen with those Ferrari's and Lamobs in lmae Rap Videos.
seoultrain 7:21PM (10/19/2007)
I actually happen to think this is the best looking thing ever. And thank god it's never in rap videos. a zonda with 500 lb, 26" gold spinner rims would make me cry.
K 11:48AM (10/19/2007)
Radical SR8 was faster with 6:55
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwtyZosuPNE
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graviton 11:56AM (10/19/2007)
yeah but that is not a street legal production vehicle. It's essentially a go-cart on steroids.
K 12:05PM (10/19/2007)
yes it is.
http://www.radicalextremesportscars.com/news_folder/nord0905/index.php
it's got number plates. the lap was done on street tires. the driver said he could take another 30 seconds out with slicks.
joe 12:16PM (10/19/2007)
The Caparo T1 guys are estimating a 6:15 or so on the Nordschleife.
Of course, if you put 99% of drivers in the hot seat of a SR8 or a Zonda F they wouldn't be able to break 8 minutes if they live through the ordeal.
darth 3:02PM (10/19/2007)
But the radical is just an engine 4 wheels and a seat.
this car is actually nice inside and can be driven on the road in some comfort.
Rafa 11:48AM (10/19/2007)
Great car, unfortunately most independent supercar companies don´t manage to have a 2nd gen, so this one´s gotta be a good one
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Justin_56 11:50AM (10/19/2007)
Amazing machine, my absolute favourite Italian exotic. There is a video of how the build one in Italy at http://www.supercarmovies.com
Klick on Italy on the map.
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Moltenauto 1:58PM (10/19/2007)
Wow, that was incredible. Thanks for the link.
Namir 3:08PM (10/19/2007)
Awesome video, thanks!
chuck goolsbee 11:50AM (10/19/2007)
Apropos as the "F" stands for Fangio, no?
--chuck
http://chuck.goolsbee.org
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Wally 12:01PM (10/19/2007)
I'd love to be a passenger for that ride (yes i realize the extra weight wouldn't help), better than a roller coaster.
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