One-Off Pagani Zonda Fetching Record $6.8m at Auction

By Paul Joseph

A one-of-a-kind Pagani Zonda has set a new world record after selling for an eye-popping $6.8 million at auction.

The Zonda officially went out of production in 2013, but demand has persisted and the Italian boutique supercar maker has continued to create extremely limited special editions to meet this enduring appetite.

Launched in 2017, the Zonda Aether was one of the very last models to wear the Zonda badge, and now it has produced a new world record after fetching $6.8 million at an RM Sotheby’s auction in Abu Dhabi.

The car had a pre-sale estimate of $4.5 million, which was rapidly surpassed during the auction. According to the RM Sotheby’s, “the evolution of the supercar into the hybrid era has left enthusiasts hearkening back to the analogue driving experience.”

The Zonda Aether is powered by a 7.3-litre V12 engine which is tuned to produce 760 horsepower. Mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, the power is sent to the rear wheels.

The Aether also features a handcrafted, bespoke bodywork mostly made out of carbon fibre and other ultra-lightweight materials.

With its roadster body style, large rear wing, and large roof scoop, the exterior styling shares several design cues with the Pagani Cinque Roadster that came out a decade ago.

The car’s cabin is minimalistic to save weight and it is fitted with the Zonda HP Barchetta/Huayra BC–style seats, while the door handles have been replaced by leather pull straps.

Founded in 1992 by Argentinian-born Horacio Pagani, his inaugural model, the now-iconic Zonda, was first revealed to instant acclaim at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show, with the subsequent Huayra debuting in 2011.

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By Paul Joseph