| 2011 Bugatti Veyron Super Sport vs 2010 Pagani Zonda R | August 10, 2010 | AUTORIVALS.NET |
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| In the world of automobiles, there
are cars and there are supercars... and then there are these
two. The Bugatti Veyron Super Sport and Pagani Zonda R showcase
what is actually possible for mankind to create. They break the
boundaries of "super" and enter in a realm of their own. Both
are record-breakers, both are blindingly fast, and both are so
expensive that even CEOs of oil companies or printer companies
might not be able to afford one. For those that still have a
spare 2 million dollars lying around, they have two very
different options. The Veyron and Zonda sit on two opposite ends of the spectrum. It would be like comparing the space shuttle to the F-22 Raptor. Each supercar focuses on very different priorities. The Veyron Super Sport's main purpose is speed, and speed it does achieve. Just recently the Veyron Super Sport has managed to break the record for top speed with an unfathomable 268 mph (267.81 mph if you want to be specific). The Zonda R on the other hand, focuses more on all-around ability. It too has broken a record at the infamous Nürburgring with a lap time of 6 minutes and 47 seconds. Bugatti and Pagani are both sort of one trick companies. They have a variety of different flavors of basically the same vehicle (for now at least). Considering how powerful each model is though, every available resource has been used on these two supercars. Sadly, both the Veyron and Zonda are due to stop production soon and these will be the last iterations. But Bugatti and Pagani aren't just going out with a bang, they're going out with an explosion. |
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| 2011 Bugatti Veyron Super Sport | vs | 2010 Pagani Zonda R |
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| What you essentially have here is a
battle of brawn versus brains. The Veyron has long been known as
the most almighty powerful vehicle on Earth and has gotten the
most attention due to its 1000-plus horsepowe, 16-cylinder,
quad-turbocharged engine and record-breaking top speed. The Super Sport goes even further by adding
200 horsepower and dropping over 600 pounds in weight. With a
new front fascia to aid in aerodynamics, Bugatti has done
everything possible to achieve a top speed second to none. The Zonda R however, is more than a one trick pony. In essence, it is a race car with performance and looks to match. It obviously shares a visual relationship to the Zonda F but only shares 10% of the components. Pagani says the Zonda R has been built from scratch despite the family resemblance. The F1-style nose is still there but the front fascia has been reworked with more vents, flaps, and air intakes for ultimate aerodynamics and downforce. |
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| The Veyron doesn't look like your
typical supercar of the past. If you mention the Veyron to
anyone with just a faint interest in cars, they'll go on about
the ridiculous amount of horsepower or record-setting top speed
but won't really talk about the design. They might not even
recognize the differences between the Super Sport and the
original Veyron but there are some noticeable ones. The lower
front fascia has been redesigned with larger air intakes and new
air intake runs the width of the car. The massive wheel arches
and vents are all still there though. The Veyron isn't sleek or
particularly fast-looking when it's standing still and is built
for the road rather than the track like the Zonda R. Quite frankly, I don't have the intelligence nor the writing ability to even begin to describe the detail or purpose of the Zonda R's bodywork. You would need to be an automotive designer with a rocket science background to understand the intricacies of every line and every curve. What I can tell you though, is that it's fast, purposeful and the closest thing to F1 or Le Mans race cars. The hood has been stretched compared to the previous Zonda F and along with a longer rear end, the Zonda R is now 15.7-inches longer. |
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| The Veyron Super Sport's body has
been streamlined compared to before. The rear has been reworked
removing the previous Veyron's massive engine scoops and
integrating them into the roof. There now sits two exhaust pipes
with a wider but shorter design compared to the single square
shape like before. The deployable spoiler still remains and also
acts as an airbrake that by itself has the same stopping power
of an ordinary hatchback. The Zonda R's F1-design is ever apparent in the F1-style adjustable rear wing and racing-derived diffuser. The centrally-mounted quad exhaust pipes look like a Gatling gun to intimidate anyone that dares to overtake you. And if they do, the Zonda R's exhaust might just spit some fire out to teach them a lesson. |
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| Like the Zonda R's exterior, the
interior is focused on racing. What sits in front of you in the
Zonda R is a large LCD screen rather than typical gauges that
displays all sorts of information such as the amount of
downforce the Zonda R is producing at any given moment. Using
sensors placed throughout the car, you'll be able to monitor
every single component. The Veyron Super Sport's interior is more civilized with a few creature comforts one might hope for in a 1.9 million dollar car. It should be noted that not just anyone can hop in and hit 268 mph whenever they want. A special key is needed to unlock the top speed setting. Without it, the Veyron is limited to a measly 220 mph. If the car is able to enable the 'top speed' mode, the front air diffusers close, the car lowers itself, and the rear spoiler retracts. And then the car takes flight. So if you're a million or billionaire and you're fantasy has always been being an astronaut, then the Veyron Super Sport is the closest thing you can get short of going into outer space. But if you've always fantasized about being an F1 driver, then the Zonda R is begging to be piloted. |
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| RECAP | RECAP | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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PROS +Top speed record holder +More streamlined compared to the original Veyron +Deployable spoiler also works as an airbrake CONS -Massive body |
PROS +Nürburgring record holder +Proper supercar looks +Racetrack ready CONS -Not street legal |
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| Video Source: Top Gear via YouTube | Video Source: Pagani via YouTube |
While the Veyron Super Sport is capable of 268 mph, it will be limited to 258 mph to protect the tires from disintegrating.
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