Koenigsegg Should Fear Pagani’s Latest Masterpiece: Meet The Huayra Codalunga Speedster

The Codalunga Speedster is like the Sistine Chapel on wheels

While Koenigsegg chases after astonishing performance figures and record-smashing statistics, Pagani has an entirely different idea of what a hypercar should be. Whereas Koenigseggs tend to be world-beating mega driving machines, Pagani sees the hypercar in a much more Italian sense of the word: as an artistic masterpiece on wheels. The Pagani Huayra Codalunga Speedster takes the idea of ‘art on wheels’ to an unprecedented extreme, masterfully mating mouthwatering design with the symphonic underbelly tune of a turbocharged, AMG-crafted V12 engine and the visceral click-clack of a gated seven-speed manual gearbox, with just ten units planned for production.

I mean, just let your eyes soak in the glorious swoops and strakes that define the Huayra Codalunga Speedster’s sensually distinctive style. Sure, a Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut will probably steamroll it in a drag race, but if you’re planning on careening along a coastal road off the Mediterranean Sea, the Pagani is the obvious candidate. That being said, with 864 horsepower and 811 lb-ft of torque on tap from a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V12 handcrafted by the motor making masters at Mercedes-AMG, routed to the rear wheels through a 7-speed transverse Xtrac gearbox available in both “automated manual” or “pure manual” configurations, tantalizing performance has certainly not been overlooked.

The Codalunga Speedster fuses Italian modernism with Renaissance classicism

The Codalunga Speedster’s interior is equally as gorgeous as its achingly beautiful exterior, fusing modernism-inspired shapes akin to a Modigliani portrait with the timeless, traditional charm of a Botticelli painting. Thus, the Pagani’s interior seems to transcend the boundaries of artistic eras, and somehow manages to look classical and modern simultaneously. There is not one brand new vehicle that money can buy that possesses a more impressive and special interior than a Pagani, and that is a hill I will gladly die on.

To make things even more special, the Pagani Huayra Codalunga Speedster can be equipped with a seven-speed, gated manual transmission. What a beautiful thing that shifter is–a perfect example of the obsessive attention to detail you’ll find in every single Pagani masterpiece. With every shift, your eardrums will be soothed with the serene sounds of the AMG-constructed V12, vibrantly echoed through a titanium six-way exhaust system which, according to Pagani, “reduces weight and provides an unmistakable sound signature, a defining hallmark of every Pagani creation.” Yeah, Pagani knows exactly what they’re doing to us with this one.

Old-school elegance, contemporary construction

Despite its styling, which is evocative of 1950s and ’60s racing cars, the Pagani Huayra Codalunga Speedster is much more advanced under the surface than one might expect. The Speedster’s Carbo-Titanium and Carbo-Triax monocoque “ensures rigidity and lightness,” while its active suspension system, Brembo-developed carbon-ceramic brakes made specifically for Pagani, and Pirelli Trofeo R tires allow for incredibly precise and intuitive handling.

Bespoke to its very core

As Pagani puts it, “the Huayra Codalunga Speedster is born from listening.” Each of the ten individual Codalunga Speedsters that will be produced will take shape “through a direct dialogue with each client, with no limits to vision or desire,” allowing for personalization to an intimate and extreme degree. The ability to specify your very own Codalunga Speedster to your heart’s content is endless, so long as you’ve got the required funds and a strong relationship with Pagani to see it through.

Final thoughts

Perhaps the ultimate expression of automotive excellence, Pagani’s latest vehicular virtuoso, the Huayra Codalunga Speedster, is truly unlike any other motor vehicle money could possibly buy. Its uniqueness is truly unmatched, and it’s equally as deserving of a spot on an art museum plinth as a Michelangelo sculpture. This is a vehicle that already looks like it’s conquered the test of time, and with its breathtaking styling and robust AMG-sourced power plant, it should age just as gracefully as a fine Barolo wine. More like this, please, Pagani.