Skip to main content

Pagani’s V12-powered Huayra Roadster looks ready to play in the big kids’ court

Pagani Huayra Roadster
GT Spirit
Italian supercar manufacturer Pagani is preparing to launch a convertible version of the Huayra, the only model it currently produces. The Roadster isn’t scheduled to make its debut until this year’s Geneva Auto Show, but it has been prematurely revealed online by a leaked sales catalog.

Published by GT Spirit, the brochure reveals the Roadster isn’t merely a Huayra coupe without a roof. The rear end receives a new air diffuser and model-specific tail light bezels with eyelash-like extensions, while a pair of vented buttresses create a sporty, stylish silhouette reminiscent of classic Italian and British sports cars. An official teaser image suggests that the front end has received a few minor tweaks, too.

Fitting the Huayra with a folding top would be a packaging nightmare because it’s mid-engined. Instead, the latches above the windshield reveal the Roadster model receives a pair of removable roof panels, a setup similar to the one used by the Lamborghini Aventador Roadster. The panels will likely be crafted out of a lightweight material like carbon fiber in order to make the topless conversion as weight-neutral as possible.

We don’t know whether the Huayra built for sun-worshipers will benefit from mechanical upgrades. The stock Huayra coupe is powered by a Mercedes-Benz-sourced, 6.0-liter V12 engine that uses a pair of turbochargers to generate a staggering 720 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 738 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm. If that’s not enough, a more hardcore model with a 789-horsepower evolution of the V12 is also available.

Pagani will likely introduce the Huayra Roadster online in the weeks leading up to the Geneva Auto Show, which opens its doors in early March. Pricing information hasn’t been released yet; for what it’s worth, the Roadster is expected to cost more than the standard Huayra, which carries a base price of over $1 million.

Ronan Glon
Ronan Glon is an American automotive and tech journalist based in southern France. As a long-time contributor to Digital…
Fake engine noises in electric cars need to die
Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally driving on a dirt road.

You finally get that notification that the electric car you ordered months ago is ready for pickup. You get to the location, sit in the car and turn it on. Pulling out into the road, you hear something -- a strange noise you didn't quite expect. You expected the sweet quietness of a full electric vehicle. But is that ... engine noise?

It is and it isn't. As humans, we've been so used to the sound of an engine for so long that carmakers think we've associated that low-frequency rumble with performance and quality. So, what are they doing? That's right -- they're pumping fake engine noises through the speakers in your electric car.

Read more
Watch this famous musician fly in a car with wings
watch this famous musician fly in a car with wings aircar

Jean-Michel Jarre is world’s first passenger to take off in KleinVision’s flying AirCar

The legendary French synth musician Jean-Michel Jarre has become the first passenger to take to the skies in Klein Vision’s incredible flying car.

Read more
The Tesla Model Y is at its lowest price yet — but should you buy one?
Tesla Model Y

Despite increased competition in the space, the Tesla Model Y is still one of the best EVs out there. It has access to the best charging network, plus it offers among the best software experiences, as well as a solid range, especially in the longer-range models. And the Model Y is now down to its lowest price yet, meaning that if you were considering getting one, now is probably the time to buy.

The base price of the Tesla Model Y is down to $42,990 at the time of this writing, which represents a pretty huge price cut. That's before any tax incentives too -- and considering the car is eligible for the full $7,500 tax credit, that means you could get it for as low as $35,490.

Read more