The Seven-Speed Manual Pagani Huayra Epitome Proves That Money Solves Everything

While some problems escape the long reach of fiat currency, throwing money at a problem or a void in the universe can often produce some truly captivating results. Case in point: Pagani never made a Huayra with a manual gearbox. However, the firm is offering the Utopia with a seven-speed dog-leg gated manual transmission, and one customer put in a special request. Could Pagani put the gearbox from the Utopia into a Huayra?

The result is the Huayra Epitome, the only manual Huyara ever and one that’s far more interesting than just its choice of transmission. For starters, the suspension has been significantly tweaked, and while revised geometry should tamp down body motions, the dampers now feature a “super soft” mode for the bumpiest of mountain passes.

Far more interesting than a fresh hardcore track mode, this suspension setting ought to make the Huayra Epitome more enjoyable more of the time. You can’t help but get the impression that whoever bought this is going to actually use it, and that’s quite a nice feeling.

Likewise, the six-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine is still sourced from AMG, but it now produces 864-horsepower and revs to 6,700 rpm. Not a stratospheric redline, but a reasonable increase over the Huayra BC. A new triple-disc clutch will handle all 811 lb.-ft. of torque, and an electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential ought to help put the power down. Of course, the crown jewel of the powertrain is the aforementioned seven-speed dog-leg gated manual transmission, because man, what an experience that must be, rowing through seven gates.

On the outside, new seven-spoke front and nine-spoke rear wheels fill the arches, while blue carbon fiber bodywork ensures that this Huayra won’t blend in. While new bumpers, light clusters, fender extractors, and a dinner table-sized rear wing build an impressive aerodynamics package, the bit that’s sure to get everyone going is the exhaust-blown diffuser, just like some V8 F1 cars used to have. Not only should this setup use spent exhaust gases to stick the Huayra Epitome to the road, it has the potential to produce some insane noises.

While the Pagani Huayra Epitome certainly didn’t run its owner a mere drop in the bucket, it does represent an interesting way forward for the tippy-top of the car market. When you think about it, not only did the commissioner of the Huayra Epitome pay for development costs, they paid for homologation costs, because a new gearbox and a new powertrain computer calibration ought to require new emissions testing.

Think about all the amazing machines that could be produced with bulk cash. A new manual Ferrari? A reborn Rolls-Royce Phantom Drop Head Coupe? A crazier McLaren than we could ever conceive of? The sky is the limit. All these marques need is one client to write a true blank check, and the car world can have new heroes unburdened by MBAs and focus groups. Once cars like the GMA T.50 and Koenigsegg CC850 exit limited production, the next generation of enthusiasts will need new poster cars. Billionaires of the world, it’s up to you to make them happen.

(Photo credits: Pagani)

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