--- title: "Pagani Has Built a Single Huayra With a Manual Transmission" description: "What, you thought the Huayra was finished? Don't you know Pagani better than that? Meet the Epitome, the only Huayra ever with a stick shift." date: "2024-07-02" modified: "2024-07-02" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/pagani-has-built-a-single-huayra-with-a-manual-transmission" categories: - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Pagani News" tags: - "Coupe" - "Huayra" - "Pagani" - "Supercar" --- # Pagani Has Built a Single Huayra With a Manual Transmission ![]() *Pagani* I love Pagani's almost freakish loyalty to its older cars. Usually, when a car company replaces a model with a new one, the now-obsolete predecessor is dead to them. But not so with [Pagani](). Those Italians will regularly pump out new special editions of older models, even after you think they've finally moved on. The company's latest is perhaps the most special of them all, as it's the only Pagani [Huayra]() with a manual transmission on the planet. The Pagani Huayra Epitome is quite literally the most unique Pagani you can buy, as there's only one. This one-off hypercar was made specifically so that Pagani could fit it with a manual transmission for a single customer. Since every other Huayra uses a dual-clutch automatic transmission, the Epitome instantly becomes the most desirable of them all. [![]()]() [![]()]() [![]()]() Manual transmissions aren't anything new for Pagani. Far from it. Both the [Zonda]() and [Utopia]() are manual transmission *only*. However, that's what makes this Huayra Epitome so special. See, the standard Huayra was an outlier in Pagani's three-model history, as it was the only one without a manual transmission. Despite swapping from a dual-clutch to a manual, the Huayra Epitome doesn't lose any gears. It's still a seven-speed 'box, built by Xtrac, and it uses a triple-disk clutch and a tripod-style driveshaft joint. Gears are shifted with a lovely wooden knob, through skeletonized gates. Paired to that manual transmission is still a 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged AMG-sourced V12, but it makes 864 horsepower and 811 lb-ft of torque in the Epitome. Helping that engine breathe better and sound even more exotic is its new lightweight, six-way titanium exhaust, too. Rev-matching in this thing must be life-changing. [![]()]() [![]()]() [![]()]() [![]()]() I also love that Pagani leaned into the fact manual transmissions are slower than dual-clutch units, so the Huayra Epitome isn't made to be some extreme track car. Instead, it's made to be an enjoyable road car. The Epitome's new adaptive suspension one-ups Ferrari's bumpy road mode with a "super soft" button, for choppier roads or just when you want extra comfort. However, that mode only works up to 93 mph, after which it reverts to its normal suspension setting. Pagani continued its relative chillness in its design, too. Most special edition Paganis look as if they're challenging traditional methods of sub-orbital spaceflight. But the Huayra Epitome is pretty tame by Pagani standards. Aside from its inherent Huayra flamboyance—such as its gullwing doors, insectoid side mirrors, active aero flaps, and quadrant exhausts—the only added flourish to the Epitome is its tall wing. You can still see its "carbotanium" body panel weaves through the gorgeous blue paint, too, which is a stunning visual touch. All of its unique visual touches, such as its headlights, taillights, and aforementioned wing, were done at the request of its very deep-pocketed customer. [![]()]() [![]()]() [![]()]() [![]()]() [![]()]() [![]()]() [![]()]() It's a bummer that only one person will own this, as it means fewer people will be able to see it. However, I'm just happy it exists. I'm also hoping that since this customer went through the trouble of convincing Pagani to build just one manual Huayra, they plan on making use of it often. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()