Pagani Zonda S

The Pagani Zonda has made an instant impact in the supercar world. This new independent manufacturer based in the heart of Italian supercar country, has produced a car to rival the best on offer from Ferrari, Porsche and Lamborghini.

The bodywork looks stunning from almost every angle and features distinctive styling touches such as the 'rocket' exhausts. The interior is equally stunning, with extensive use of leather, carbon fibre and aluminium in a luxuriously appointed cabin. Performance from the 7.3 Litre AMG tuned engine is staggering. 60mph arrives in just 3.7sec with 100mph in a remarkable 7.4sec (although, disappointingly, it can't quite crack the 200mph barrier). Pagani believe in giving the driver total control, so devices like traction and ABS are absent (in a car costing £230,000)!

The 7,291 cc (445 cu in) C12 S 7.3 of 2002 used one of the largest V12 engines ever made. The engine was designed and manufactured by Mercedes-Benz AMG, where traction control was added to handle the 408 kW (547 hp) and 553 lb·ft (750 N·m) that this engine produces. The 7.3 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.7 seconds and has a top speed of up to 220 mph (350 km/h) depending on aerodynamic configuration.

A roadster version is also built, with production limited by the company to 40 examples. As of 2005 update, nine roadsters had been built. According to Road & Track magazine, three more C12 S 7.3 cars had been built as of June 2005, but it is unclear whether they were roadsters or coupes. Motor Trend reported in their January 2006 issue that 60 Zondas of all types had been built.