Home CAR reviews Pagani Utopia Pagani Utopia (2024) review: glorious 852bhp V12 meets manual 'box

 Home CAR reviews Pagani Utopia Pagani Utopia (2024) review: glorious 852bhp V12 meets manual 'box 

The Pagani Utopia is the supercar of supercars. It's the modern-day manifestation of the cars we fantasized about in the back of GCSE maths class: loud, ludicrously fast, stunning to look at, and just a little frightening to drive. It's also rare. When did you last see a Pagani on the road? Probably not recently; Pagani only introduces new models every decade or so, and even then, the numbers are - initially at least - kept in double figures.

Why? Pagani is not like Ferrari or Lamborghini. They may be located just a short distance apart, but their business models are vastly different. Rather than producing thousands of high-end goods each year, Horatio Pagani designs the ultimate car for his tiny but selective clientele and charges them an exorbitant fee - £2.2 million in the instance of the Utopia. What was the result? Continue reading to find out our thoughts on the magnificent Pagani Utopia.

What's behind the skin?

The Utopia (pronounced ooo-tow-peeeyah) has a monocoque chassis composed of the catchily named carbon-titanium HP62 G2 and carbo-triax HP62 (otherwise known as exceptionally strong composites), with front and rear tubular subframes made of chromium-molybdenum. What was the result? Torsional stiffness is 10.5% higher than in previous Pagani road vehicles, but kerb weight is only 1,280kg. The Ferrari 296 GTB weighs almost 1,600kg.

With such a little mass, you'd think Pagani might cut some corners on the engine, perhaps shrink a little. Not any of it... The Utopia's 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged AMG V12 (generating 852bhp and 811lb ft of torque) is completely unique even among today's crowd of exotic supercars, and it works its magic without the use of any hybridization. There is no AWD, and while a seven-speed automated manual transmission is offered, a seven-speed manual is also an option - which is unusual for a new car with this level of performance.

What's with the design?

It's probably not a leap to claim that the Utopia is the most outlandish looking supercar on the market today. Like a curvier, more filled-out Zonda, its appearance took a moment to settle in when this writer first viewed the photographs, but in person? Absolutely wonderful. The shape, presence, and depth of detail are out of this world. There's a solid argument that the Zonda is still the most beautiful Pagani, but there's no disputing how unique the Utopia looks in 2024. 

For the exterior, there’s been a very deliberate effort to keep the basic shape free of any protruding aero addenda that would spoil the overall lines. Therefore, things like the cooling ducts are integrated into the bonnet and front splitter, while the rear clamshell provides the perfect mounting point for the active aero rear spoiler. Meanwhile, the wheels feature carbon turbine blades that direct hot air away from the brakes and reduce turbulence underneath the car. Oh, and they wear specially designed tyres – Pirelli PZero Corsa 265/35 R21, 325/30 R22 front and rear – with the outline of the Utopia moulded into the sidewall.

The design components throughout the car all point back to Horatio Pagani's Da Vinci-inspired philosophy that beauty and science are inseparable. There is no form following function or vice versa in the Utopia. Horatio adds that the car's exterior appearance is never just a question of style, but rather a second stage following its mechanical development. In any case, that is impossible. The car's design is unique because it serves a specific aerodynamic function.

The interior retains the 1950s design motif, and it's no surprise that it ditches the common trend of massive touchscreens dominating the fascia. Instead, there's one digital display in front of the driver (compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), and the rest is made up of a beautiful assortment of dials. When you look closely at the rev counter and speedometer, you'll notice a view into the watch-like cogs inside.

Both the gear gaiter and steering wheel are constructed of machined aluminum alloy, which Pagani has done in-house since recently acquiring the CNC mill that has provided parts to the firm since the Zonda S. Surprisingly, the steering wheel begins as a 43kg solid block of aluminum alloy and, after 30 hours of milling, becomes a 1.7kg solid steering wheel rim.

Does it drive as well as it appears?

According to Horatio Pagani, the major goal for the Utopia was to provide 'great simplicity and better control in driving the car', as desired by his most devoted customers. Also, 'not one of them, for example, desired more technology'.

So, a vintage supercar? Not exactly. While a twin-turbocharged V12 thoroughbred would have likely taken your head off or, at the absolute least, left you with scorched thumbs and bleeding ears in the 1990s, the Utopia is lot more civilised to drive.

Regardless of the drive mode (there are four: Comfort, Sport, Race, and Wet), the ride is firm but supple, allowing it to interact with the road surface's undulations. There is even a'supersoft' option (similar to Ferrari's rough road mode) that may be enabled independently in any of the drive settings. Furthermore, the clutch and steering are light and easy to use, and the nose easily clears most speed bumps even without using the lifter.

Furthermore, when driven, the car feels much smaller than its exterior size would suggest, thanks in part to the great driving position. In reality, the dog-leg gearbox is the most painful aspect of piloting the Utopia. While the attitude is reasonable, you question the logic of equipping a car (which most owners will only drive sometimes) with a transmission pattern that differs from the great majority of modern manuals.

Thankfully, the sheer amount of torque available - from as low as 2,800rpm - means there's no need to row through the seven-speed box's short ratios if you don't want to. During our test drive, we were able to cruise at 30 mph in fifth gear, with the car pulling smoothly under high power. Oh, and there is no lane-keeping assist because Pagani's low manufacturing numbers mean they are not required to include it - hoorah!

When do you start driving it like a supercar?

Absolutely spellbinding. It's very evident from the start that this is not like any other modern supercar. There's ESC and ABS, but otherwise, you're very much on your own. The steering isn't as swift, and it lacks the artificial positivism of Ferrari's best, but it feels far purer as a result. There's a beautiful clarity to how the act of turning the wheel is translated into the direction of the car, allowing you to take use of the handling despite the obvious intimidation.  

The front end grip seemed nearly unbreakable on the narrow, switchback-laden route we spent the majority of our time on, and while a mechanical limited-slip differential may have seemed the more natural choice, the electronic diff does a good job of providing rotation without ripping your head off.

The engine contributes admirably to all of this, but there's no doubting that its boosted delivery keeps you on edge. Even in a straight line, the manual box means you have to work for your speed. Pagani does not quote a 0-62mph time, which is understandable considering how quickly you can change gear, but we believe a sub-three-second run is achievable with an experienced driver (and a spare clutch).

Changes in ratio occur thick and quick. It revs quickly, with the red line at 6,700rpm and peak power only 700rpm earlier. It has a completely different feel from Pagani's neighbours' V12s in Maranello, but despite the lack of a 9,000rpm crescendo, it is no less spectacular. The sound is strong but sorrowful and, from the cabin, about as loud as you'd realistically want.

Verdict

The Utopia's entire experience is enthralling, combining old-school supercar thrills with enough politeness to offer a subtle hint of grand tourer dynamics. However, rather than drawing analogies, it is the type of car that is most valued for its uniqueness.

None of today's supercars can match the Utopia's level of performance, extravagance, purity, and rarity (only 99 will be built), simply because no other manufacturer could construct a car like this in 2024. The experience of seeing one in person, let alone driving one, is genuinely unique, and Pagani's drive to combine art and science in a way that few others can shines through in every facet of the vehicle. With such a small quantity, it will only be a dream for most, but what a dream to have.