2019 Pagani Huayra BC

Pagani has a reputation for creating some of the world's rarest, most valuable, and most extreme hypercars. The company's Huayra that replaced the wildly successful Zonda was the first turbocharged hypercar it made, and as incredibly impressive as that machine still is, years on from its 2012 debut, Horacio Pagani is not known for leaving well enough alone - the numerous iterations of the Zonda are a testament to that. However, the new Huayra BC is more than just a more extreme Huayra with more power and less weight. It is also a tribute to Benny Caiola, Mr. Pagani's late friend and the first-ever Pagani customer. With a revised version of the Huayra's 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 power plant putting out 754 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque, we think Mr. Caiola would have loved this, and would certainly have wanted to own one of the 20 units built.

Huayra BC production continues until all 20 orders have been fulfilled. It's worth noting that the manufacturer is known for producing specially commissioned or commemorative units after official production has ceased.

No updates are made to the Huayra BC, but each BC is customized according to the owner's wishes and no two are alike. Special editions commissioned by owners include the BC Macchina Volante (the "Flying Machine") sporting bodywork changes, including more rear air intakes, a roof scoop, and additional blue carbon fiber. Another unique BC, the Kingtasma was made for a US buyer and is finished in red exposed carbon fiber with a red interior.

Named after the late Benny Caiola, Horacio Pagani's long-time friend and buyer of the first-ever car built by the company, the Huayra BC is a super-exclusive track-focused Huayra of which the entire production run of 20 units was sold out even before the car was launched. Its twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter AMG V12 engine gains 24 hp over the normal Huayra's (now 754 hp) and dry weight is reduced even further to just 2,685 pounds, partly attributed to a new "carbon triax" material that is claimed to be both lighter and stronger than normal carbon fiber. It gets completely overhauled aerodynamics to cut drag and increase downforce. It was first unveiled at the 2016 Geneva Auto Show.

A more aggressive and arguably better-looking front end with a new splitter and large canards running from the LED running lights gives the front of the BC a menacing appearance from the front, while special forged alloy wheels measuring 20 inches up front and 21 inches at the rear help give the BC an aggressive profile. Included with the BC is a set of wheels one size smaller, with these shod in track-spec rubber for when you want to take your uber-exclusive hypercar to your favorite circuit. At the back, a huge carbon wing spans the width of the car, with Pagani's signature quad-exit exhaust setup being displayed prominently. Below this is an aggressive diffuser that looks like it could have come straight off a Le Mans racer.

The Pagani Huayra BC is considerably lighter than the car on which it is based, tipping the scales at just 2,685 pounds excluding fluids, a reduction of 291 lbs. Length measures 181.3 inches, while width is 80.2 inches and the height is just 46 inches. The wheelbase measures 110 inches.

Just 20 units of the Huayra BC have been produced, and each is tailored to the requirements of the commissioner of the vehicle. At this level, that means any color you like is available, with exposed carbon finishes among your options. With so much of the car featuring unpainted carbon from the front splitter all the way to the rear diffuser, we'd opt for something dark - perhaps a navy blue or a gunmetal finish.

There is nothing about the name Pagani that brings to mind a lack of performance. The brand builds cars that are mesmerizingly quick and are incredibly capable on track. The Huayra BC is one of these exquisite cars and comes with an upgraded version of the regular Huayra's 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 engine, a mill that is built by just one man at AMG's plant and is built exclusively for Pagani. In this application, it produces a whopping 754 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque, with all of that power channeled to the rear wheels via a seven-speed Xtrac sequential single-clutch automatic. In addition, the regular Huayra's active aerodynamic aids are enhanced by new body parts that increase downforce. Yet, the BC is just as fast as the normal Huayra, with a top speed of over 230 mph. 0-60 mph is achieved in around 2.3 seconds, while the active and fixed aero aids contribute to grip that allows the BC to pull as much as two lateral g in the corners.

The Pagani Huayra BC's engine is, as mentioned above, a specially designed motor that will never be sold to any other company. In order to enhance its monstrous abilities, weight has been cut too, with the revised engine featuring an even lighter titanium exhaust system. With 754 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque, maintaining the same weight would have been just fine to achieve such incredible results, but as ever, the devil is in the details, and Pagani is obsessed with them. Throttle response is phenomenal, and the Huayra accelerates like a bat out of hell, although you will certainly make slower progress if you turn everything off and just bury the throttle while the rear tires turn to smoke. Avoid doing this and the AMG unit behind your head will send you towards the horizon with incredible efficiency, feeling like it could never run out of power. Of course, it doesn't sound as good as the naturally aspirated V12s of past Paganis, but it's a price worth paying for this kind of performance. The transmission has been heavily reworked too, with Xtrac building a new version of the existing seven-speed single-clutch sequential automatic for the BC. Shift times are now halved and occur in just 75 milliseconds, and although the experience is not as smooth as it could have been with a heavier dual-clutch, in a hardcore machine like this, aggressive shifts only add to the sense of occasion and drama.

The Huayra BC rides on tires that Pirelli specially developed for this model - P Zero Trofeo Rs. While most manufacturers would generally boast about increased grip, Mr. Pagani had consultations with Pirelli to create a tire that not only improved traction but also felt good. 12 different rubber compounds are used, and although it would be difficult for anyone but a racing driver to tell the difference, we believe that the new rubber is excellent. In addition to the tires, the suspension was reworked and is now stiffer than on the regular Huayra. While this has its drawbacks in terms of comfort, the BC isn't really the kind of car that you're likely to see in traffic anyway, and the improvements on track are worth the slightly less comfortable ride. It's also something that you'll only notice is worse if you drive both the regular Huayra and the BC back to back. Along with a more focused suspension setup, there is now a new Race mode that allows you to have more fun with the car (we're talking about powerslides and drifting, as well as better throttle response when chasing lap times) without turning all the safety systems off completely. The result is that the Huayra BC is as hardcore and as quick as it looks, and thanks to a pair of hidden exhaust pipes that speed up airflow towards the rear diffuser, the faster you go, the better the car handles.

The official EPA estimates for the Huayra BC are the same as the regular Huayra. They achieve 11/17/13 mpg on the city/highway/combined cycles. With a 22.5-gallon gas tank, mixed range is pegged at around 292 miles, but you can obviously expect that to drop considerably with a lead right foot.

The Huayra BC's interior is exquisite - clearly, Pagani's idea of a stripped-back interior is different from that of other carmakers. While the race-inspired elements like a fire extinguisher and much more extensive use of carbon fiber over titanium and aluminum are clear to see, the BC's interior is still stunning with obsessive attention to detail and brilliant build quality. The seats are new and have a gash in them, presumably to aid in weight-saving, but the BC is still a comfortable place to sit and offers reasonable space, while still maintaining an ethos of extravagant style.

Just two individuals may be seated in the Huayra BC, and two is just right. The BC may be a more hardcore and focused car, but it is still exceptionally stylish and comfortable, with the leather-clad bucket seats offering plenty of range for adjustment along with lots of comfort and support. The only downside to hypercars like this is, of course, the wide door sill that each passenger must try to cross with as much grace as possible, and while the gullwing doors look incredible, they don't make getting in and out all that easy. Still, at least taller individuals will still be able to drive this car without feeling cramped.

Much like the exterior, the colors of the interior of the Huayra BC are tailored to the request of the individual who buys one, and there is no shade that is too rare, extreme, or strange. However, while the regular Huayra has a large number of its components hewn from milled aluminum, the BC uses far less metal in the cabin, with most surfaces being crafted from naked carbon fiber in either a matte or gloss finish. Leather and Alcantara are still used in abundance, and there are various aluminum highlights, but the sixth element on the periodic table is clearly the favored material here.

The regular Huayra is not the most practical car in the world, but it does at least come with compartments where bespoke luggage can be stored. In the track-focused BC, however, these are done away with, and there is no space for any kind of suitcase, no matter how small.

In the cabin, you could conceivably put a couple of small shopping bags behind the seats, and there is a spot in the center console where you can put keys. There's also a reasonable glovebox, but realistically, it's best to bring nothing more than the essentials when going anywhere in this car.

The Huayra BC doesn't have much of a long list when it comes to conventional features but you do at least get rain-sensing wipers, automatic climate control, variable drive modes that can be controlled by a switch on the steering wheel, and cruise control. You also get adaptive suspension, a rearview camera, and a nose-lifting system to help with tricky speedbumps, along with the usual traction and stability management systems. Keyless entry and ignition are included too. Parking sensors are also available, but on a car that is built especially to suit what the customer wants, asking for additional features like heated seats would not be dismissed.

There isn't much information available on exactly what the Huayra BC's sound system and infotainment setup entails, but we can tell you that it features a central touchscreen display with Bluetooth connectivity. Unfortunately, it's not the most responsive system in the world, but in a car like this, the infotainment system should be the least of your concerns - especially when you have a V12 engine producing music behind your head.

While the Huayra BC itself has not been subject to any specific recalls, it may be worth noting that the regular Huayra had two recalls: one for a faulty battery and another for a faulty airbag. Given the fact that these recalls happened years before the BC's production and were relatively minor, we doubt that any of the 20 BC owners will have issues.

Although no official information has been made available regarding the BC's warranty and/or service schedule, we expect that it should come with at least a year of coverage for all components.

Crashing such a rare and beautiful machine intentionally should be considered sacrilege, but although neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA has done so, Pagani Automobili itself has crashed the regular Huayra almost 50 times with only two bodyshells being used for the tests, thus indicating that the structure is exceptionally strong and should remain sound in the event of an accidental crash.

The Huayra BC will likely spend precious little of its time on public roads, but should anything go awry, occupants will be protected by dual-stage frontal and side-impact airbags, along with seatbelt pretensioners. Also included among the list of safety features are anti-lock brakes, a rearview camera, rain-sensing wipers, and parking sensors.

The Pagani Huayra BC is finished exquisitely, with millimetric perfection employed in the creation of every single component and panel. Along with this, its bespoke engine and unique aerodynamic systems, as well as its incredible performance are each reason on their own why this car will be remembered for years to come. Furthermore, it is incredibly rare and will only skyrocket in value as time goes on, making it a worthwhile investment for collectors. As a regular car, it's nearly useless, with no storage space, a less than silky transmission, and

obviously rather poor fuel economy. Nevertheless, it's breathtaking to behold and a masterpiece of art and engineering. Every angle is stunning and every component is like jewelry. In addition, it's not difficult to drive yet provides incredible thrills and a seemingly limitless supply of power. As the best version of a brilliant hypercar, we can't think of any reason why owning one would be a negative experience.

Just a single trim level of the Huayra BC is currently available, but a roadster version is also coming and will be reviewed separately. For each of the lucky 20 individuals to have got their perfectly manicured hands on the keys to a Huayra BC, the endeavor will have cost around $2.55 million. All are sold out and all are tailored to the requests of the individuals who bought them. With limitless possibilities, there can be no doubt that some truly extravagant options will have been chosen, each of which will have inflated the base price somewhat. Inflated by how much? Well, if you have to ask...

While we are not wealthy enough to be privy to the Huayra BC's available options, you can be sure that just about any material finish can be had inside with any color scheme and paint finish adorning the bodywork. We'd certainly opt for parking sensors on ours, to prevent any accidental scraping of the body, but other than that, options will be mostly limited to the aesthetic and tactile.

As mentioned, just a single variant is produced with just about any kind of customization in terms of colors and finishes on offer - depending on how deep your pockets are. This car is the vision of Horacio Pagani himself, and is as near perfect as can be when it comes to attention to detail, drama, and style. If we were in the position to own one, we'd spec any and all available safety features, although these are likely limited to just parking sensors. Beyond that, the choice of colors and materials will be based on taste. Although all are sold out, if you're of the means to be able to afford one, perhaps now is the time to approach Pagani and express your interest in a future model so as to avoid disappointment when the next masterpiece is created.

The McLaren P1 stands out as one of the company's most memorable creations, and with a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 powertrain developing a fantastic 903 hp with some electric assistance, it's an incredible machine that defies physics with astonishing track ability. It can get from 0-60 mph in just 2.8 seconds and gets to a top speed of 217 mph, meaning that the Pagani Huayra BC accelerates quicker and has a higher top speed, despite having less power overall. Yet, with all of its mind-blowing technology and track prowess, it remains a highly desirable hypercar, and thanks to its curvy body, it's arguably better-looking too. Still, at this level, it's not just about the way a car looks or how well it handles that matters. Exclusivity is of equal importance, as is luxury, and the Huayra BC is a far rarer vehicle. It also costs more and has a much more opulent interior. For these reasons, the BC is the more sought-after vehicle, and will likely be worth even more than the P1 in years to come.

Limited to just ten examples, the Bugatti Centodieci is even more scarce than the Pagani Huayra BC. At an asking price of nine million dollars (read that again, slowly), it's also far more expensive. But does that make it better? In terms of straight-line performance, the Bugatti has the Pagani licked thanks to its 1,578-hp 8.0-liter W16 quad-turbo engine propelling the Centodieci from 0 to 62 mph in 2.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 236 mph. Yet, we prefer the Huayra BC. It's better-looking, and we challenge anyone to fight us on that. It's also lighter and more visceral. Finally, the Huayra BC is more dramatic, thanks to its active body panels, exquisite interior, and rear-wheel-drive layout. Ultimately, it doesn't matter which you choose, as both are ludicrously fast, extremely rare, and stupidly expensive.