Pagani Automobili has unveiled the Huayra R Evo Roadster, a new open-top vehicle designed to enhance the experience of clients involved in the Arte in Pista program. With this exclusive club of track Hypercar owners in mind, the Pagani team explored new design and engineering possibilities, resulting in a more thrilling and extreme car.
Horacio Pagani, the founder and chief designer of Pagani Automobili, stated that the Arte in Pista program, along with the Huayra R, has exceeded expectations and enriched the ownership experience for clients, including those with the Zonda R and Zonda Revolución. The program’s popularity and the enthusiasm of participants inspired the development of a new vehicle. The result is the Huayra R Evo Roadster—an even more dynamic and emotional evolution that begins with the removal of the roof.
Introduced in 2021 alongside the launch of the Huayra R, the Arte in Pista program is a series of personalized track events held at prestigious FIA circuits around the world. These non-competitive events combine high-speed driving sessions with relaxed social experiences. Participants benefit from full technical support provided by Pagani’s dedicated team, which includes a technical director, engineers, mechanics, as well as a motorsports-focused physiotherapist and nutritionist. Professional drivers are also present to help clients improve their driving skills.
Owners who have participated in the program describe feeling like part of the Pagani family. They’ve praised the level of care and organization, noting that all logistical details are handled by the team so they can fully enjoy their time on the track. The experience is enriched by the presence of loved ones, the support of skilled coaches, and the atmosphere of being part of a professional racing team.
The concept for the Huayra R Evo Roadster took shape during a Formula Indy race in Nashville. Horacio Pagani was inspired by the use of Aeroscreens on single-seater cars and envisioned a vehicle with protective polycarbonate surfaces and removable roof panels, enhancing the connection to the sound and sensation of driving. This idea evolved into a car that is both aesthetically beautiful and technically powerful. Drawing design inspiration from 1960s and 1970s Le Mans cars, including the long-tail prototypes, the Huayra R Evo Roadster was refined over two years with contributions from Pagani’s partners like Pirelli and Brembo.
The new vehicle was created to evoke the sensation of open-top endurance racing, offering extreme performance while maintaining a high standard of safety. The car has increased power, improved braking, enhanced aerodynamic efficiency, and greater vertical load, bringing its performance on par with current Le Mans Prototype 2 race cars. This makes the driving experience incredibly close to that of professional endurance racing.
From an engineering standpoint, the car features a sophisticated aerodynamic setup. At the front, new ducting systems manage airflow and cooling, complemented by a forward-extended splitter and flicks on the hood to boost front axle downforce. The side profile channels airflow for both cooling and aerodynamic efficiency, while a long-tail rear design integrates a central fin and supports for the wing, helping to streamline air through the rear of the vehicle. All these aerodynamic improvements contribute to a substantial increase in aerodynamic load, even surpassing the car’s weight at high speeds.
The car is built with advanced carbon fiber materials originally developed for the Utopia, improving stiffness by 38% without increasing weight. It is powered by an upgraded Pagani V12-R Evo engine, developed in partnership with HWA AG. This naturally aspirated engine now produces 900 hp at 8,750 rpm, with peak torque of 770 Nm available across a wide rev range. Enhancements to the intake system and camshafts, as well as a meticulously designed exhaust system, have further improved performance and sound.
The gearbox is a six-speed sequential transmission also developed with HWA AG, using a non-synchronized dog ring system and racing clutch. Weighing just 80 kg, it is mounted directly to both the engine and the monocoque, contributing to the car’s rigidity and enabling fast, precise gear changes under extreme loads.
Aerodynamically, the car has been designed for optimal performance even with the roof removed. Contrary to expectations, the open-top configuration actually increases both front and rear downforce, adding an extra 5% to the total. Overall, the Huayra R Evo Roadster achieves 45% more downforce and 21% greater aerodynamic efficiency compared to its predecessor, maintaining balanced performance and predictable behavior at all speeds.
Inside, the car combines safety, comfort, and elegance. Its chassis incorporates advanced composite materials like Carbo-Titanium and Carbo-Triax. The cabin features fireproof, foam-padded seats with six-point harnesses and carbon fiber headrests that include lateral protection. Designed for both left- and right-hand drive, the cockpit offers excellent visibility and refined interior lines that maintain aesthetic appeal even during intense driving.
The suspension system is based on the innovative geometry first used in the Huayra R, now enhanced with a heave damper—a third hydraulic element that optimizes ride height independently of the four-wheel dampers. This system ensures high precision and stability under all track conditions and integrates with the car’s active aerodynamics for improved cornering and braking behavior.
For braking, Pagani collaborated with Brembo to develop a new carbon-ceramic system with increased surface area and improved cooling. This setup enhances braking power and durability, especially under extreme track conditions, reducing operating temperatures and wear.
The Huayra R Evo Roadster rides on a specially developed Pirelli P Zero™ Slick tire, wider and more durable than before, offering improved grip and precision. Created using advanced simulation techniques, these tires provide exceptional traction and consistent performance in both dry and wet conditions, maximizing the capabilities of this new open-top Hypercar.
Pagani has once again demonstrated its ability to blend technical innovation, aesthetic beauty, and client-focused design in the creation of the Huayra R Evo Roadster, turning the dream of extreme driving into a vivid and tangible reality.
