Technology

This Is the Face of a Boy Told He Can Sit in His $1.15 Million Dream ‘Hypercar’

The Huayra by Italian car manufacturer Pagani Automobili represents seven years of research and 4,000 components (not including the engine or gear box) backed a 700 horsepower Mercedes-AMG twin turbo engine with 1100 NM of torque, which Pagani describes as “the brute force of an airplane taking off.”

But for one 11-year-old from Los Angeles, it also represents his dream car.

DRIVE, a YouTube channel that “celebrates the culture of cars,” recently made an appearance at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in Monterey Bay, Calif., and, like many spectators, was drawn to the $1, 150,000 car. It was among the onlookers though that DRIVE found someone equally as amazing as the car itself. It was a boy who arguably loved the car more than anyone else in the crowd. He knew the minute details of the vehicle — one which many may not even know exists — and has posters of it plastered on his bedroom wall.

To him, “it represents everything that is Italian.”

“It’s made out of exotic materials and carbon fiber. And it’s made by people in lab coats and stuff. It’s all scientific,” he said.

When asked if he wants the chance to sit in the $1.15 million car, the boy is speechless. When he regains some vocal function the phrases he is able to eek out as he makes his way toward the drivers’ side and slides behind the wheel are “oh my God,“ ”wow,“ and ”this is amazing.”

11 Year Old at Auto Show Gets Chance to Sit in the $1.15 Million Huayra by Pagani Automobili

The face of the 11-year-old when asked if he wants to sit in the vehicle. (Image: YouTube screenshot)

11 Year Old at Auto Show Gets Chance to Sit in the $1.15 Million Huayra by Pagani Automobili

Offering him the sleek key to the supercar. (Image: YouTube screenshot)

Jokingly suggesting the boy buy the car, he asks “how much does it cost?” They respond, “for you, a dollar,” clearly enjoying his response to the vehicle he has only seen on TV (”Top Gear,” the British version) and in video games.

11 Year Old at Auto Show Gets Chance to Sit in the $1.15 Million Huayra by Pagani Automobili

(Image: YouTube screenshot)

“It just feels so exotic,” he said, explaining how it felt to sit in the supercar. “Knowing that it‘s the most exotic Italian car and I’m only an 11-year-old boy with posters of this on my wall, and I actually get to sit in one.”

Watch his reaction for yourself:

Dan Neil for the Wall Street Journal recently got to review the Huayra (pronounced Why-ra) and wrote that it is “beautiful, sculptural, harmonious, enlightened, as elemental as the air for which it is named.” Here’s more on what he had to say about the “hypercar” and how it matched other supercars he has seen:

I want you to know I’ve seen a lot of million-dollar artisanal hypercars. I’ve seen massively overblown V12 engines before, heard the supersonic yelps of twin turbos in perdition. I’ve seen laser-etched monogrammed titanium bolts all torqued to face the same precise direction; I’ve seen carbon-titanium monocoques, gold-anodized aluminum pushrod suspension links, chrome-moly subframes with titanium heim-joints and obsessive, horological displays of precision machining. Seen it. Bugatti EB110, Koenigsegg, Spyker, to name a few.

None of those cars does what this car does. Get this: By virtue of four computer-controlled, electrically actuated flight control surfaces—elevators at the trailing edge of the car and ailerons in the nose, between the front wheel wells—the Huayra aero-stabilizes. The control surfaces, acting independently or together with a variable angle of attack of up to 20 degrees (front) and 40 degrees (rear), move the car’s center of aerodynamic balance around to compensate for the forces of pitch, roll, yaw and high-speed lift.

Be sure to read more of Neil’s piece in the Wall Street Journal for more details on the car here.

According to a press release by the company in March, Huayra has 85 confirmed orders and has begun delivery in Europe and Asia. The company spokesperson in the video above says the car will be making its way to American buyers by mid-2013.

Gaining more manufacturing space by the end of this year, the Pagani will produce 40 Huayras per year, allowing them to “keep our exclusivity,” the spokesperson said.

“In 2012 25 Huayras will see the light of day, another 40 will follow in 2013,” Alberto Giovanilli, head of sales at Pagani Automobili, said in the March press release. “The Pagani dealership family has grown in 2011 and 2012 with new dealerships in Chile, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, the United Kingdom and in the United States, Los Angeles, Miami and San Francisco. Nonetheless Pagani is very strict about safeguarding the exclusivity of its small volume production in the respective markets.”

The release also touts the car having the lowest carbon dioxide emissions and the highest fuel efficiency of any 12-cylinder sportscar.

(H/T: Jalopnik)

Comments (37)

  • CommonSenseTalk
    Posted on August 26, 2012 at 3:05am

    You buy this car and one of these occupy people will key it. I hope the rich who give Obama money will understand why all Americans will start hating the people who pay their government checks.

    Report Post »  
  • Patriot Z
    Posted on August 22, 2012 at 11:51pm

    I happy for the kid. that car is Amazing! car is 1.5 mill and that memory is PRICELESS. its memories like this that inspire

    Report Post » Patriot Z  
    • sillyfreshness
      Posted on August 23, 2012 at 4:06am

      That kid was such a refreshing change. He was polite and said he doesn’t play many video games and he nailed the comparison of the Lamborghini to the Pagani saying the Pagani is the modern day Countach. Smart kid. Maybe there is some hope left for the future of our nation after all.

      Report Post » sillyfreshness  
  • ballsofFe
    Posted on August 22, 2012 at 11:21pm

    So this is where Cypher ends up after selling his soul to get back in the Matrix.

    Report Post » ballsofFe  
  • Mr.Fitnah
    Posted on August 22, 2012 at 9:06pm

    Hypercar?
    Supercars arent enough?

    Report Post » Mr.Fitnah  
  • nonliberal
    Posted on August 22, 2012 at 6:23pm

    Now where would I put my Bug out bag?? Will strapping a dead deer to the roof of that thing do any damage? How much firewood can it haul? Will a fishing pole fit in the trunk? Does it come with snow tires? Can I get a trailer hitch for it?

    I can’t pull the trigger on buying one until I get more info on it.

    Report Post »  
    • Mr.Fitnah
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 9:08pm

      It is strictly for beaver hunting.

      Report Post » Mr.Fitnah  
    • candymanal
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 10:29pm

      I hear ya.
      For that kind of money, it’d better come with a fridge, filled with beer.

      Report Post »  
    • WAR PIGS CRAWLING
      Posted on August 23, 2012 at 4:39am

      @MR.FITNAH…….HAAHAAHAAHAAHAAHAAAAAAA…that is good stuff.

      Report Post » WAR PIGS CRAWLING  
    • OniMan
      Posted on August 23, 2012 at 8:20am

      you obviously are not a car enthusiast and have no idea what your talking about, what a soulless looser you must be….I

      Report Post »  
    • nonliberal
      Posted on August 23, 2012 at 5:32pm

      @oniman. By looking at all your recent responses to everyone you are obviously a bitter little troll and you may want to take your negativity somewhere else.

      If not personally having the desire to spend $1.15 million on a little unpractical car that can be used for nothing but vanity makes me soulless, then guilty as charged.

      If you want to waste your money then be my guest… Next year it will be old news, worth half as much, and still be useless.

      Report Post »  
  • Larry E
    Posted on August 22, 2012 at 4:19pm

    What can I say I HATE this kid! Well, okay maybe not hate, but extremely jealous for sure.

    Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on August 22, 2012 at 3:24pm

    Unfortunately… Dreams are just that!

    Report Post » lukerw  
    • Maji
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 4:25pm

      At 6′3″ that car is really nice to look at…but not practical even if I had the
      money!
      Although I‘am a car guy I’m stuck with pickups and my Caddie.
      For you other“ Big” car guys.My thoughts on a nice ride is a clean
      65 Lincoln with suicide doors!
      I like the“ full can” but a drop top is nice too!

      Report Post »  
  • ShyLow
    Posted on August 22, 2012 at 3:01pm

    Here’s my dream ride. Gets 40 mpg,goes in the snow,cost less than the lowest priced Huyndai…I’ll get one when America returns to free-market principals and quits protecting the failing auto unions… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpVJMBu4tTY&feature=related I can then be able to go off-roading with my friends and commute

    Report Post » ShyLow  
  • Shoot2Stop
    Posted on August 22, 2012 at 2:42pm

    Funny looking Mickey Mouse mirrors! At 100+ MPH they‘d probably flap like BO’s ears.

    You would think, for a megabuck, they could afford a couple of hi-res CCTV cameras faired into the rear of the canopy, and flat panel monitors on the dash.

    .

    Report Post »  
  • Chuck Stein
    Posted on August 22, 2012 at 1:39pm

    Gonzo’s post below reminds me of a scene in “Romancing the Stone”. The man chops off the high heels of a woman’s shoes (they are in the jungle). She says (with a sigh): “These were Italian.” He cheerfully says: ” Now they’re practical ! “

    Report Post »  
    • Sirfoldallot
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 1:53pm

      Dreams can come true, not the dream of a father wanting distruction.

      Report Post » Sirfoldallot  
  • rsanchez1
    Posted on August 22, 2012 at 1:05pm

    If liberals have their way, the only car he’ll ever have a hope of sitting in one day will be a tin can that tops out at 50MPH running on a battery that requires charging every four hours.

    Report Post »  
  • Rational Man
    Posted on August 22, 2012 at 1:01pm

    A sad display of American idolatry…..

    Report Post » Rational Man  
    • Plan B
      Posted on August 23, 2012 at 10:01am

      Your comment is absoulutely rediculous.

      Report Post »  
  • Obamujahadeen
    Posted on August 22, 2012 at 12:53pm

    That‘s what it’s all about, giving children an better life than we had for ourselves and hopefully this young man is still smiling in a couple years if the western leaders don’t get their heads out of their azzzzzes and deal with the vermin we ALL have in our leadership spots. Frankly where we sit right now a council of children could run the world better.

    That’s for %$^&* sure in the case of Jugears and the mooch

    Report Post » Obamujahadeen  
  • snufy
    Posted on August 22, 2012 at 12:46pm

    Maybe my police dept. could order one and put a light bar and decals on it. Guys would work free just to drive it. Of course, they would total it within a week.

    Report Post » snufy  
  • munacra
    Posted on August 22, 2012 at 12:40pm

    I’ll take two please. Once to SLEEP ON and the other to COVER UP WITH!!

    Report Post » munacra  
  • ZAP
    Posted on August 22, 2012 at 12:34pm

    Car needs some carbon tax put on it….

    Report Post » ZAP  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 12:40pm

      It’s Italian, it won’t be running that often.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • OniMan
      Posted on August 23, 2012 at 8:25am

      Gonzo: you need to investigate more before commenting, the engine is designed by both Paggani and Mercedes, and hand built by AMG in Germany, its will run for a long long time.

      Report Post »  
  • JohnDoeSr
    Posted on August 22, 2012 at 12:29pm

    I’m glad he is excited and having fun. Great car too, but at my age I’m not sure if I could get in if I had the chance. I’d give it a try though.

    And it only cost about half of what a Bugatti Veyron cost.

    Report Post »  
  • red_white_blue2
    Posted on August 22, 2012 at 12:26pm

    I hope the Europeans who will be bankrupt before us, enjoy that luxury car, until it’s out of gas, and the muslims they have sold their souls too decline to give them any more oil.

    Report Post » red_white_blue2  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on August 22, 2012 at 12:19pm

    Amazing, such joy and excitement on his face, but once he realizes the only car he will ever be able to own is the Smart Car and Volt, he will have the same disgusted look as the rest of us. Obama will be able to have this car, but this isn’t for the common folk, just the ruling class.

    So, dream on, and keep the fire extinguishers handy, the Volt is today’s Pinto.

    Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • Lee_in_PA
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 12:54pm

      Was thnking along the same lines. By the time this lad is old enough to drive one, what will it cost, and how about gas? If there even is any to be had.

      Report Post » Lee_in_PA  
    • jake-spoon
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 1:18pm

      Ah,the Pinto,a rolling bon fire in search of a lighter.

      Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 1:28pm

      I survived one for 3 years. A real sporty Pinto wagon with woodie side panels. It was a real chick magnet, let me tell you.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • jake-spoon
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 1:56pm

      Gonzo,my respect grows for you every day. That you managed to score in a pinto,impressive sir impressive.

      Report Post »  
    • Zipit
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 3:22pm

      GONZ! Was that you I raced in my lime green Vega wagon?

      Report Post »  
  • bpodlesnik
    Posted on August 22, 2012 at 12:17pm

    Saw this on the vortex the other day, so cool! I bet that kid will never forget that day. He could be the next Clarkson the way he was answering those questions. Also, compliments to Drive for delivering some amazing videos. Chris Harris is the best!

    Report Post » bpodlesnik  

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