Within the lineage of the Pagani Zonda, it is the Grandi Complicazioni series, comprising of “One-Off’ concepts and Speciale series, that represents the very best of its breed. The result of state-of-the-art knowledge, technological application, drivability, and safety, these vehicles offer unique stylistic expression alongside incredible performance and unrivaled exclusivity.

Part of this Grandi Complicazioni series is the Zonda Tricolore, built to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Italy’s “Frecce Tricolori”, the aerobatic demonstration team of the Italian Air Force. Matching the livery of the Frecce Tricolori’s Aermacchi MB-339 jets with Italian flag pinstriping, the Tricolore’s upper bodywork finished in bare carbon with a clear blue lacquer coating, juxtaposed with a more traditional carbon fibre finish for a striking two-tone finish. The Tricolore is mechanically based on the Zonda Cinque coupe, but boasts a few important differences in addition to its colour scheme. While the Cinques were fitted with a roof-mounted air intake to channel air into the engine, the Tricolores boast a small vertical fin on top of the engine cover. The Tricolore also saw the addition of LED running lights below the headlights, which would be a popular feature on one-off Zondas going forward.

At the Tricolore’s heart is the 7.3-litre Mercedes-Benz AMG-sourced V-12 engine, producing 670 bhp and 780 nm of torque. All Tricolores were fitted with a six-speed automated manual gearbox controlled by two beautiful carbon fibre paddles behind the gearbox. Finally, it is possible for Pagani Automobili to convert this car’s six-speed automated manual gearbox to a traditional manual gearbox. Please see an RM Sotheby’s Private Sales Specialist for more information. Tipping the scales at 1,210 kg, according to Pagani the Tricolore is capable of accelerating from 0-100 hm/h in 3.4 seconds and hitting 200 km/h in 9.6 seconds, which still remain astounding figures today.

All three Zonda Tricolores were built to identical specifications, and the example presented here is the second Tricolore constructed, as evidenced by a plaque affixed to the glovebox. Offered from the collection of its third owner and currently registered in Germany. Exceptionally well-preserved throughout, and at the time of cataloguing, the car’s odometer shows 1,112 km from new.

The Zonda is undoubtedly the most desirable supercar built thus far into the 21st century, with the 2014 Pagani Zonda LM Roadster selling for $11,086,250 at RM Sotheby’s Dubai auction in November 2024, not only a world record price for a Pagani at auction, but a world record price for any 21st century automobile sold at auction. The Tricolore is undoubtedly more significant, considering its mechanical similarities to the hallowed Cinque and as being amongst the final Zondas built in the model’s standard production run. While the jets of the Frecce Tricolore perform aerobatics in the sky, the Tricolores aerobatics on four wheels are no less impressive to experience, and the Tricolore celebrates Italian passion and panache with flair equaled only by its aeronautical equivalent.

RM Sotheby’s thanks Horacio Pagani and Pagani Automobili for this catalogue description contribution.