Pagani Zonda S Roadster Road Test – Tunnel Love
May 9, 2007 by Paul Maric
Why is it that every tunnel in Sydney has a speed camera?
Spending a day in a Zonda S Roadster in Sydney is one of the most bitter-sweet motoring experiences there is. On the one hand, you’re now driving the sexiest, most expensive, fastest and arguably the best sports car (and the only registrable supercar) available in the country.
It has the kind of looks and exhaust note that has passers by of all ages and persuasions simply stopping in their tracks, jaws hanging slack, and gasping to anyone within earshot. “Wow, look, it’s one of those…you know…one of those cars they always have on Top Gear…you know…the one they love…wow!”
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And despite the fact that you’re leaving the crowd gasping in your wake…what you really want to do is let her rip inside a tunnel, where nobody can see you – especially the boys in blue. But unfortunately, with our idiotic “speed kills” mentality and ridiculous speed limits, you are left to savour those few moments of joy that you are able to legally extract…whilst nobody is looking!
The very few lucky people who have been in the yellow (not that yellow is an adequate description for the multi-faceted pearlescent “Giallo Genevre” artwork…errr, paintwork) Roadster of Pagani importer Supercar Investments would know what I’m talking about. If they’ve been lucky enough to sample the Zonda at full noise in a tunnel…then they’ve got as close to the aural experience of being in a Formula 1 car as anyone else in this country.
The late Peter Brock once told me that there was nothing that sounded better than a straight six at full noise. We debated the virtue of the Zonda’s exhaust setup which is essentially 2 straight sixes next to each other. We were planning to meet up at the fabulous “Speed on Tweed” event in Murwillumbah last year so that Peter could hear the car in anger…alas, it wasn’t to be.
Speaking of sound, the audio systems of most sports cars are often pretty useless at anything other than idle. Well, not the Zonda. Thanks to a set of speakers mounted directly behind your head, and speed sensitive volume control, you won’t miss one bit of your favourite song…on the odd occasion that you want a break from the exhaust note.
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It’s always great to share the Zonda experience with someone new, and driving with the boys from CarAdvice.com.au to Palm Beach and back for lunch was fun. I did manage to give them some idea of the joy of “tunnel love” in a Zonda through the Pacific Highway underpass on Mona Vale Road…all at perfectly legal road speeds officer.
A quick blip from 4th back to second and a short stab of the accelerator saw us reach err…60-ish by the end of the underpass. The response this produces from the passenger is always entertaining and I’m sure they’ll find words far more eloquent than I can to describe it to you.
The run down into Palm Beach for a delightful lunch at Barrenjoey House gave me an opportunity to show the boys just how well sorted the Zonda’s suspension is. There’s not one bit of jarring in the cabin as all bumps are soaked up in style by the superb suspension.
This is another aspect of the Zonda that really surprises anyone who hasn’t been in the car before, it looks like a race car, but drives so smoothly and effortlessly that you could – dare I say it – use it as an everyday car (apart from the crowd you would draw every time you pulled over). Also surprising is that unless you’re at full noise in a tunnel, conversation at all road speeds is conducted at normal volume, with no need to raise your voice.
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The driving experience – as you would expect – is something special. What you don’t expect is that the Zonda is so easy to drive. The pedal box is directly ahead of you, not offset. The weighing of all controls is exactly as you would expect, with no heavy clutch or overly assisted steering.
The gearbox is a delight and allows easy changes into any gear, in any order. Even the often tricky second back to first procedure allows one more opportunity to practice your heel-toe technique, double de-clutch and blip the throttle on approach to every stop sign and red light.
All major controls are within easy reach and simple to operate. I believe that for a car to be considered ergonomically correct and well designed, you should be able to jump into it and within 2 minutes of setting off on your first drive, turn on the air conditioning and radio without having an accident. The Zonda accomplished this, not only with ease but also with consummate style!
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The driver is afforded a superb view of the road between the front wheel arches, making the Zonda easy to place. In fact, it’s not so different to an open wheeler race car. Add the wider track at the rear and the awesome performance, and you can be forgiven for thinking that you are in fact in an open wheeler…albeit a very comfortable one.
The feedback through the steering wheel, pedals and seat of your pants is perfect, allowing you to drive the Zonda with confidence at speed. Obviously, power oversteer is easily achieved, fortunately it is very easily controlled. The Zonda makes you look good, both in the carpark and on the track.
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Saying that the Zonda stops traffic is an understatement, even stopping in exclusive Palm Beach drew a crowd with the usual questions; “What is it?”, “Is it one of those?”, “How much is it?” “Who owns it?” and even, most bizarrely, “What colour is it?”. I’m always awe-struck by the range of demographics the Zonda attracts, from the obvious pimply teenager in the Commodore, right through to the blue rinse set and EVERYTHING in between.
It’s also nice given Australia’s supposed “tall poppy syndrome” that I (or more accurately “the Zonda”) have never received anything but positive and appreciative comments from everyone…thank you everyone. I’m honoured to represent this outstanding marque in Australia and New Zealand and look forward to bringing you more from Pagani Automobili in the not too distant future.
- by Adam Kaplan
Print it: 
It’s a stunning ride but can I please have the specs including top speed and O-100km/h
Hey Jack Fast
0 – 100 in 3.6 sec
200 – 0 in 4.5 sec (4.4 with Carbon Brake Package)
Top speed 345kph+
650bhp
780Nm
1250Kg
great article adam, im sure it was a buzz
amazing its the only registerable supercar in the country, i think there are two (or three?) enzos down under (one of which is lindsay foxes) but can only be used for track use. unfortunate that supercars like the carerra GT and Veyron will, most likely, not be seen downunder or for at least many years to come.
This a truly remarkable car, one most only dream of, for those lucky enough to own such a superb car, the price tag (1.6mil?) is worth every cent!
Mate,
what an awesome car,
I had no idea they even existed on Australian roads!
great road test, reading a supercar road test always makes me feel good.
Complete and utter sex…I’m lost for words
yeah its pretty bombed … but me XF would take it in a straight line no probs. got the old 250xflow tuned and the 350 holley pumping bro carbon fibre brakes wont save it … only time i use the brake pedal is when me other foots on the far right pedal to the floor doing a skid :)
i wish my car was like that … i have a 5 cars welded together to make a pretty nice liberty hey dont worry about that it gets me laided quiet often … b!tches love it … gold tri spokes … seem welds … gold fake momo … rattle exhaust … smells like a kitty tray but hey … like i said … the women that get in … get nailed …
Stop
Hammer time
Nice rims … i might ask to borrow them then get my car repo’d
make a wish foundation is gonna let me go for a lap in one of these …. i got aids n sh!t :(
sharnie would love me if i had a car like this …
WHY DONT YOU LIKE ME !!!!!!!!!!!!
I own 2 of these, 8 GTR’s, a M3 and I still got spare cash to buy a small country!
sometimes when im writting a blogg i pretend im in a Zonda cockpit … then i reach for a razor blade cos all i got is Sneeper :(
brooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmm brroooooooommmmmmmmmmmm
THIS CAR WOULD GET HOSED BY MY EVO 8 MR for not even a quater of the price! PFFFT poser car
I got 4 of these in my driveway, but the exige does better nuts, so it gets the tick!
spinners and neons would finish it off nicely imo.
I took one of these for a spin with the roof open and it blew my hair off!
I like men.
And this car.
But mostly men.
dont worry …. it will grow back when i tell it too rad
got fukcall on my VQ30
did i mention i ran a 11.2
Im too emo to take mine out, cos im afraid of the crowds it will draw.
Only the hot croatian chick can roll in mine.
^^^^ That’s my best mate Rob.
I use mine to pick up bulk bitches. Prefer those that are taken already as I need a challange!
I bet it doesn’t have symmetrical all wheel drive.
as if i’d waste my time racing that…
Im still upset that my cock is so small … plus the anorexic girl friend and all …
lifes great
My MR2 would beat it as its custom overspray purple. The 100kg tempes help it out handle all on road.
Man I’d nail a keep left sign HARD in one of these…
Quiet b005t, you’re not allowed out of the house from now on.
Not even to go to IKEA ??
faaaaaaaaaaaark
I could afford one of these if I didn’t inject…
I reckon I could blow up a clutch and gearbox in it no worries.
Compared to this car I am fucall.
May as well be dead.
If I had this car I wouldn’t drive it. No way.
Might let someone else drive it. And pop it. And then sell it.
VL > Zonda
Those BMW 1 series I sell are so much better.
I’m gonna get my girlfriend to buy one so I can bring it out on cruises.
Evo 8 MR > *
I used to drive these all the time when i was the manager of Barbagello’s … there alright but not much head room … my head is massive
i wouldnt know it … its RWD
and over 150hp
I wrote this to enter the competition but I was a day late…
Had a dream too good to be true, to own a Pagani Zonda…
But I know that would not become true, as if I have a spare million or two.
The worlds best super car, arguably true
With 478kW of power, 0 to 100 km under 4 seconds is just rude
A V12 with soul, carbon fibre, seats covered with rare leather too
With only 40 Roadsters to be built
Then a ride as a passenger would be semi cool
And with help from channel 7 and Today Tonight
An Azzie Citizen through and through, it’s true
Then I will get a chance to ride that Zonda, that’s who
But until that happens, my beat-up old Kingswood will have to do!
My supra makes more then that and did i mention its on stock internals …. Get more smoke from my single pegger then both of those.
Well, Id consider one of these, but my Last name is Ferrari so it just wouldnt suit… Ill just pinch my old mans TR instead…
Purple MR2’s FTW.
I like the girls that drive them. They are so tight that not even Marble’s pin-like appendage can make it past her tight sphincter.
back in the 70s, they said we would be driving flying cars by now. they didnt mention anything about ugly widebody superwank cars
Hopefully i can finally lose my virginity with this car
Did I mention i own Antilag?
Yeah, Im cool an sheet.
Im bombed.
Hey, youre in my personal space champ back away.
i smell like ham
anti spam made me writ subaru
**** ben351 is king!!!!!****
My current project car is doing 3.7s to 100km/h. A bit more work and cash will see my car smoking your Zonda. At a fractional of the price I might add.
I love it though.