HUAYRA EPITOME IS AN ENGINEERING MARVEL WITH A MANUAL GEARBOX
The Pagani Huayra Epitome is a one-off hypercar commissioned through Pagani's Grandi Complicazioni special vehicles division, notable for being the only Huayra ever built with a manual gearbox. The project took nine months to plan and ten months to build, culminating in a bespoke machine powered by a 5,980 cc AMG-built twin-turbocharged V12 producing 864 hp at 6,000 rpm and 1,100 Nm of torque, now channelled through a seven-speed Xtrac manual transmission with an open aluminium gate.
Why a Manual Gearbox in a Modern Hypercar?
The Huayra platform has always used automated sequential gearboxes, so the Epitome's seven-speed Xtrac manual is a genuine engineering departure. The gearbox uses a triple-disc clutch for improved torque handling under extreme load, and the aluminium open gate is inspired directly by the Pagani Utopia, the brand's most recent manual-transmission model. The rationale is straightforward: the commissioning client wanted the most direct, unmediated connection between driver input and mechanical response that a Huayra could offer. Top Gear's first look called the combination of this V12 and a gated manual one of the most compelling driver propositions in the hypercar segment, precisely because so few manufacturers at this performance level still pursue it.
The V12 Engine and Drivetrain
The Huayra Epitome's 5,980 cc V12 is assembled by AMG to Pagani's specifications, with the twin-turbocharged architecture tuned to push the rev limiter to 6,700 rpm, which is higher than the standard Huayra configuration. Output is 864 hp at 6,000 rpm and 1,100 Nm of torque. The Xtrac seven-speed transverse manual handles the power transfer, with an electronically controlled differential and a racing-specification tri-pod driveshaft completing the drivetrain. A revised active suspension system, including a new "super soft" comfort mode for road use, was developed specifically for this car to manage the Huayra's weight across a wider range of road surfaces than a standard race-biased suspension setup would tolerate.
Exterior Design and Bespoke Details
The Epitome's bodywork was developed in close collaboration with the client, distinguishing it visually from the standard Huayra. A new front bumper with an integrated splitter, unique light cluster designs, and a redesigned rear hood with an integrated wing are the most immediately visible changes. The aerodynamic modifications are functional rather than decorative, developed with the same precision that Pagani applies to the brand's production cars. Pagani's official press release describes the Grandi Complicazioni process as analogous to Haute Horlogerie watchmaking, where each commission is a bespoke exercise in precision craft rather than a variant of an existing build sheet.
Pagani at TheArsenale and the World of Hypercar Ownership
The Huayra Epitome sits at the extreme end of what bespoke automotive manufacture can achieve. For those drawn to Pagani's philosophy of materials and engineering as art, TheArsenale carries Pagani-crafted collectibles including the Pagani Huayra Titanium Exhaust Coffee Table and the Pagani Huayra handmade exhaust. For the broader context of the world's most significant high-performance cars, explore the Cars collection at TheArsenale.
Photo: PAGANI
