Performance Review: Pagani Zonda Roadster - [2003]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Pagani Zonda Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Pagani Zonda Roadster is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2003. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2004 Westfield Sport 2000S and the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 400.This particular Pagani Zonda has a 7291cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 12 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V12's includes the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12

The Zonda shares its Petrol V12 engine configuration with the likes of the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12 and the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Zonda's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1280 kgs (2821 lbs) this makes the Pagani Zonda Roadster in the same weight category as the 2023 McLaren 750S 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Pagani Zonda shares the same bhp with the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp)

In terms of power the 7291cc 48V V12 engine produces 555 bhp (413 kW) @ 5900 rpm similar to the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp) or the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (542 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V12 throws out 553 lb-ft (749.7 Nm) @ 4050 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (568 lb-ft) or the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo (561 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Pagani Zonda you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2014 McLaren 650S Spider 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (457.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Pagani Zonda.

The Pagani Zonda has a Power to weight ratio of 433.5 bhp per ton and 432.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2003 Zonda competing with the 2014 McLaren 650S Spider 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (457.8 bhp per ton) or the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica 5.2 V10 (456.8 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Pagani Zonda generating around 432.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1995 Ford GT 90 6.0L V12 (454.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 2017 Apollo Intensa Emozione 6.3 V12 (448.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.9 secs, this made the Pagani Zonda Roadster as fast as the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (3.80 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 (3.80 secs) the 2021 BMW i4 M50 (3.80 secs) the or the 2021 Mercedes SL Class 55 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (3.80 secs). This Pagani Zonda Roadster is also faster than the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo (3.90 secs) the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 Steptronic (3.90 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Sport Classic 3.7 Turbo 992 (3.90 secs) the and the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo (3.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Zonda and the 2006 Audi A4 RS4 4.2 FSI Cabriolet

When talking about the performance of the Pagani Zonda on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 10.82 secs @ 126.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2006 Audi A4 RS4 4.2 FSI Cabriolet (10.77 secs), the 2000 BMW Z8 5.0 V8 2d LHD (10.77 secs), and the 1996 Lotus Esprit S4 3.5 V8 Turbo (10.77 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2003 version of the Pagani Zonda Roadster has a maximum speed of 200mph.

Top Speed of the 2003 Zonda equals the 2023 Aston-Martin Valour 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo (211 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2003 Pagani Zonda Roadster then how about the 2023 Aston-Martin Valour 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo (211 mph), the 2023 Aston-Martin DBS 770 Ultimate 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo (211 mph), or the 2023 Aston-Martin DBS 770 Ultimate Volante 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo (211 mph).

Related Links:

2003 Zonda Rivals List.

A Brief History of Pagani

Car Comparison