---
title: "Pagani Huayra R Ditches the Turbos for a Bespoke, Naturally Aspirated Engine"
description: "It'll probably be track-only like the Zonda R, and it's likely to pack a V12 like all other Paganis."
date: "2020-10-01"
modified: "2020-10-01"
authors:
  - name: "Máté Petrány"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/mate-petrany"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/36850/pagani-huayra-r-ditches-the-turbos-for-a-bespoke-naturally-aspirated-engine"
categories:
  - "News"
tags:
  - "Horacio Pagani"
  - "Pagani Huayra R"
---

# Pagani Huayra R Ditches the Turbos for a Bespoke, Naturally Aspirated Engine

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2020/10/START-DAY-_-Autostyle-Design-Competition-2020-LIVE-37-55-screenshot.png>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

So far, all Pagani Huayras have used some variant of AMG's 6.0-liter twin-turbo M158 V12. What started out as a 720-horsepower engine in 2012 evolved into an 827-hp affair in the [track-focused and ultra-limited 2021 Pagani Imola](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/32224/pagani-imola-is-a-5-4m-love-poem-to-the-racetrack-that-birthed-it>), which means we're still yet to see a Huayra with no turbos for [the ultimate in throttle response](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/35622/how-the-gma-t-50s-cosworth-v12-can-hit-its-12100-rpm-redline-in-just-3-seconds>) and noise. Now, it seems that our wish will be granted as Pagani is all set to reveal its "Huayra R" on Nov. 12, built around a brand new naturally aspirated engine.

Previously, while [the Zonda's 7.3-liter](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/16575/pagani-will-now-perform-complete-zonda-restorations-in-house>) naturally-aspirated M297 V12s were discontinued by AMG, Horacio Pagani still found ways to source a few for one-off Zondas built at later dates. Then, a track-only Zonda R scored a 6:47 lap around the Nürburgring using the 740-horsepower version of the original 6.0-liter M120 V12 linked to Xtrac's six-speed sequential manual.

https://youtube.com/embed/pYcZDyWcESw

The Zonda R was wild, and it looks like the Huayra will go N/A to provide a similarly thrilling experience as a track toy only.

Spotted by *[Carscoops](<https://www.carscoops.com/2020/10/pagani-teases-hardcore-huayra-r-could-it-have-a-naturally-aspirated-v12/>),* at the 37:04 mark, Horacio Pagani talks about their project in a teaser for the [2020 Autostyle Design Competition](<https://autostyledesigncompetition.it/2020digitaledition/>), a event featuring experts from Ford, Ferrari, Maserati, Volvo, Polestar, Lamborghini, Toyota, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Dallara, 3M and Pagani. The hypercar company is [represented by the founder](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/35785/why-horacio-pagani-loves-american-cars>) himself.

Pagani reveals that for its Huayra R, it's preparing a "new aspirated engine made especially for this purpose." This custom-built nature would strongly suggest that whatever Pagani is putting into its next Huayra, it won't be an emissions-legal AMG unit, meaning that the Huayra R will likely be limited to the track just like its Zonda-based predecessor.

Still, with 847-horsepower one-offs like [the Aston Martin Victor](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/36188/aston-martin-victor-an-847-hp-v12-one-off-with-a-manual-gearbox-and-stunning-looks>) and [the 789-hp Ferrari Omologata](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/36740/the-stunning-ferrari-omologata-is-a-one-off-812-superfast>) popping up lately, it's only fair to expect something even more outrageous from Modena's wildest engineering powerhouse. Pagani Huayra R, we're ready to hear your [twelve-cylinder scream](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/35125/now-you-can-hear-gordon-murrays-new-v12-rev-to-8000-rpm>).

https://youtube.com/embed/i_bY14PEybM

*Got a tip? Send us a note: tips@thedrive.com*

## Author
As a fan of old cars, new cars, trains, planes, buses, and you-name-it, Máté can sometimes be seen driving an Autobianchi around Budapest, much to the amusement of the children, mostly. When not time-traveling, he continues to report from the future to his American colleagues, often talking about Lotus, Ozzy Osbourne, or both.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/mpetrany>)  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/petrany>)