Here's Why Car Nuts Are Lining Up To Spend $1.2 Million On Pagani's New Supercar

Alex Davies

2013-01-07T19:39:00Z

Deliveries of the the long anticipated Pagani Huayra are finally beginning, and car lovers are thrilled, even if they are not among the very few drivers who will get behind the wheel of the next great supercar.

The name "Huayra" comes from the Incan term for "God of the Winds," and Horacio Pagani, the carmaker Car & Driver called a "maniacally obsessed perfectionist," says it was inspired by a jet barreling down the runway just before taking off.

Pagani makes only about 40 vehicles a year, but it has already secured orders for 105 Huayras, including 18 in the United States.

The cars Pagani does deliver will cost about $1.2 million each: a lot of money for a machine that can rarely be used to its full, 230 mph capacity, and maybe not at all in the U.S., where it has not even street-legal yet, according to CNBC.

But apart from the six pieces of fitted luggage that come with the Huayra, there are plenty of ways to justify the sky high price tag.

Each 6.0-liter, twin turbo V12 engine is individually hand crafted.

The 720 horsepower the Huayra produces send it from 0 to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds.

At around 3,200 pounds, it's a light car.

That's in part thanks to the decision to skip a dual-clutch transmission, which Car & Driver complains makes the Huayra's shifting slow.

Source: Car & Driver

All the same, the magazine described driving the Huayra "like being two boogers riding in a cheetah's nostrils."

The Huayra has a lift system that raises the nose of the car to keep it from touching the pavement. At around 30 mph, it lowers, improving aerodynamics.

It is one of many parts that constantly adjust to keep the car as efficient as possible.

For help slowing down, Pagani included brake flaps, similar to what airplanes use during landing.

The Huayra's coefficient of drag is .31, better than the McLaren P1 (.34), but not as sleek as the new Ferrari F12berlinetta (.299).

The striking side view mirrors provide good visibility. Each is like "a woman's eye looking back at you," Jay Leno says.

Source: Jay Leno's Garage

The instrument cluster and air vents are reminiscent of a jet cockpit.

The interior is clad in leather made by the Dani Group, which tailors it to the customer's specific requirements.

The carbotitanium composite central monocoque is made to hold together in high speed crashes.

Every aluminum part of the Huayra is crafted from a solid block of aluminum. It takes 24 hours to carve the car's rear bumper name tag.

Even the key is impressive: Made in the shape of the Huayra, it costs Pagani $3,700 to make.

Here's a more affordable luxury ride.

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