Click above to jump to the video of the Pagani test mule
AMG put too much work into developing the engine for the Mercedes SLR McLaren for the mighty motor to be tossed aside when the ill-fated supercar is replaced by the SL65 Black Series. So what will become of the SLR's supercharged V8? An amateur spy video posted on YouTube might have the answer.
A couple of weeks ago we brought you news that Pagani had renewed its engine partnership with Mercedes AMG, but what we didn't know then was what powerplant the wizards in Affalterbach were planning for Pagani's next exotic supercar. In the spy video after the jump, you can see a developmental test mule running around near the Pagani workshop wearing the Zonda's body panels like a kid in his father's suit. It's conspicuously missing the Zonda's trademark high-mounted garbage-pail exhaust tunnel. Speculation based on the engine note suggests that the test mule could be running the SLR's kompressor eight, which could hold promise for a more compact and nimble successor to the ferocious Pagani Zonda.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
idkalf @ Apr 2nd 2008 5:11PM
it actually does sound like the SLR's engine, if u listen closely, it isnt the deeper growl from the other AMG engines.. (thats what im hearing)
Seoultrain @ Apr 2nd 2008 5:17PM
nice.. looks like pagani will reclaim the best time around Top Gear's track.
500 @ Apr 2nd 2008 5:26PM
Hmmm, won't that potentially cannibalize Mercedes sales, giving them the top Mercedes engine?
madgamer @ Apr 2nd 2008 5:29PM
The Zonda is so much more expensive than anything Mercedes makes that I don't really think that is a concern. Also, the SLR ends production next year anyway.
500 @ Apr 2nd 2008 5:44PM
Pagani Zonda price = $325,000. Maybach Landaulet = 1.35 million.
Hoyun @ Apr 2nd 2008 6:06PM
The Pagani is a supercar, whilst the Maybach is a chauffeur driven yacht. I don't think they'll compete.
BrokenMonkey @ Apr 2nd 2008 6:36PM
The people who can afford these cars can afford to buy both.
500 @ Apr 2nd 2008 7:08PM
Madgamer replied to my post that the Zonda is "so much more expensive than ANYTHING Mercedes makes," I felt the need to correct him. Yes I know they're very different cars.
Hoyun @ Apr 2nd 2008 11:47PM
Thats true, but I still don't think that the Pagani would cannibalize Merc sales. The Pagani is still well over the cost of the SLR. Even if they somehow did, there are plenty of wealthy around the world that would scoop them up, with all the recent $1 million+ cars.
chad.dawkins @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:14AM
As the local Maybach whore the landuleat will not cost $1.35 million. That's how much the concept costs because of the R&D that goes into making that one. Just like the Excelero is worth $8 million, but would cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $500K if it were produced(which they should have done).
DC @ Apr 2nd 2008 5:36PM
That engine is definitely blown. Myself, I like the DOHC 6.2L.
DC @ Apr 2nd 2008 8:46PM
You never heard of the "limited run of convertibles and land barges" that packed the 5.5 SOHC supercharged V8 also? Obviously the SLR's engine is vastly upgraded, but did you really think I was suggesting drop the bone stock 6.2 DOHC V8 into a Zonda?
madgamer @ Apr 2nd 2008 6:12PM
A Zonda F, which is the one you can buy right now, is well over 500k euros, which is more than what any SLR costs. I don't really understand how a limited run of convertible land barges really fits into it.
dance lady @ Apr 2nd 2008 5:53PM
this video rocks
http://www.i-guide.ro
madgamer @ Apr 2nd 2008 6:13PM
Sorry, it replied to the wrong post.
Hansi @ Apr 2nd 2008 6:13PM
When did the SLR become "ill-fated"?
madgamer @ Apr 2nd 2008 6:15PM
Its been mentioned before, but here is the most recent one:
http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080402.010/mercedes-ends-slr-production-in-2009
MULDER @ Apr 2nd 2008 6:27PM
Those videos are several months old and were previously reported to be the new top of the line Zonda.
Noah @ Apr 2nd 2008 7:08PM
I wonder if this is a move to reduce emissions (or even increase fuel economy, lol!). I also wonder how different the car will behave due to its new forced-induction motivation method.
Well, I don't care on the latter b/c I'll never drive one.
Toy Yoda @ Apr 3rd 2008 12:22AM
I wonder about the emissions / fuel economy thing with Pagani. But would it really apply to Pagani? Doesn't Pagani make so few cars that they are exempt?
By the way, I like the V12, and I hope they don't abandon it. Maybe Zonda and the AMG boys are teaming up to build the new Merc supercar.