Brilliant Pagani "Utopia" unveiled, successor to the "Huayra" with 852 HP V12 twin-turbo engine.

The successor to the Pagani Waila, codenamed C10, has finally been unveiled. It is called the Pagani Utopia and aims to live up to its noble name by emphasizing driving purity.

The result of a six-year design process, Pagani said in a press release, the Utopia dares to minimize aerodynamic devices such as spoilers and ducts found on other supercars, resulting in a cleaner design. The car is also identifiable as a Pagani by its signature quad headlights (housed in a housing machined from solid aluminum) and centrally positioned quad exhaust tips.

Aero devices are subtly integrated with the bodywork. The Utopia has a front splitter, large intakes and vents that channel air from the grille to the sides of the bodywork, and active flaps at the rear. According to Pagani, these combinations allow the Utopia to achieve a near-perfect aerodynamic balance over a wide speed range, while at the same time reducing sensitivity to ground clearance for more predictable and safer handling characteristics.

Pagani again turned to Mercedes-AMG for the Utopia's engine. After ruling out electric or hybrid powertrains, Pagani opted for a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V12 engine that produces 852 hp at 6,000 rpm and 811 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 rpm-5,900 rpm. Redline is 6,700 rpm.

The mid-mounted V-12 drives the rear wheels via an Extrac 7-speed automated manual transmission (a full manual version will also be available, according to Pagani). Pagani notes that a dual-clutch transmission is more efficient, but argues that the Extrac gearbox is lighter and more controllable by the driver, and the transverse placement reduces the moment of extreme inertia, thus reducing oversteer.

Pagani has not released performance figures, but the Utopia, with a claimed dry weight of 2,822 pounds, should be quite lively. A carbon-titanium monocoque (with a chrome-moly steel subframe) and aluminum suspension components contribute to the relatively low vehicle weight. Pagani also claims a 10.5% increase in torsional rigidity over the Huayra's monocoque.

The Utopia also features independent double wishbone suspension with helical springs and semi-active shocks, and a Brembo carbon ceramic braking system. Wheels are 21 inches front and 22 inches rear, and standard tires are Pirelli Zero Corsa. Pirelli Sotto Zero tires are also available in case the owner decides to drive the car in winter conditions.

The interior features Pagani's usual high level of craftsmanship, including a steering wheel machined from a single aluminum block. Pagani also eschews the use of screens altogether, instead using spaces for switches and dials that seem to have sprung from the cockpit of an aircraft.

Pagani plans to produce 99 Utopia coupes, at an undisclosed price. If it follows the same pattern as the Zonda and Huayra, the coupe will be followed by the Utopia Roadster, as well as a series of special editions and hardcore track versions.

The Utopia will officially replace the Hua Yue, but that car may not go away. After all, Pagani unveiled the new Zonda 760 Roadster in January.