Geneva 2013: The Huayra’s new Sonus Faber sound system might be legal in the US, but the car’s not

By Nick Jaynes March 1, 2013

Pagani Huayra in the snow — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Good news for the ultra-wealthy today: Sound system manufacturer Sonus Faber and supercar builder Pagani have combined forces to bring unmatched levels of audio clarity to the all-new Huayra.

Premiering at the 2013 Geneva Auto Show, the new Sonus Faber sound system – designed exclusively for the Pagani Huayra – is just as stunning to behold (photos courtesy of GTSpirit), as it is to hear.

Pagani Huayra sound system — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Taking into account the out-and-out outrageousness of the Mercedes AMG V12-powered Huayra, Sonus Faber took what it learned building loudspeaker technology and applied it to the interior of the Italian hypercar. Keeping the system as lightweight as possible, Sonus Faber engineers designed a vibration-free hybrid avional aluminum and gunmetal structure that has been formed to dampen the natural resonance of the two mated materials. The result is a speaker system capable of the purest musical tones. That is, if you can hear it over the exhaust.

Pagani Huayra sound system2 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

As it stands, however, the Huayra isn’t exactly road legal in the U.S., so the American uber-rich who’ve ordered their Paganis will have to enjoy the Sonus Faber sound systems either on the track or at idle in their sure-to-be opulent garages.

We don’t know how much the Sonus Faber Pagani sound system will cost, and frankly we don’t want to know. The sting of the price tag might just take away from the sheer beauty of the thing. So we just won’t ask.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…

Cars

Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more

Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs

Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs R1S: How will Rivian’s cheaper SUV compare?

The front three-quarter view of a 2022 Rivian against a rocky backdrop.

Rivian has finally unveiled the R2, its long-awaited attempt at a more affordable electric SUV. The new vehicle may not be available just yet, but fans of Rivian's design aesthetics and feature set are already looking forward to being able to order the new car. The R2 is targeted at being a more affordable take on the electric SUV and will sit alongside the flagship-tier R1S.

Let's get this out of the way right now: The R1S is most likely going to be a better vehicle than the R2. Rivian isn't replacing the R1S with the R2 — it's releasing the R2 as a more affordable alternative, and there will be some compromises when buying the R2 over the R1S.