Super Tuners: Pagani Zonda and Lamborghini Murcielago roadsters

Ahead of the Pagani’s Gatling-gun exhaust tips runs an AMG-built V12, bigger and mounted lower in its chassis than the Lamborghini V12. It will run with the bull, which can run like the wind.

As you stare at your own car languishing in the driveway, contemplating how you can swing the money for a new exhaust system for your daily driver, just imagine the price tag if you owned one of Italy’s finest. In this AutoWeek comparo to beat all comparos they actually take two handmade Italian masterpieces, not really “tuner” versions, and take them to task. But hey it’s a catchy headline. And who doesn’t want to read about the $596,000 Pagani Zonda Roadster and $419,250 Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster going head to head. The results? Owners of either win.

No supercar test can beat this one for convenience. Pagani Automobili does what it does just southeast of Modena, Italy. Automobili Lamborghini is just eight miles to the north, amid the plowed fields of Sant’Agata Bolognese. We fetched the yellow Murciélago Roadster first and 10 minutes later parked it next to a burgundy Zonda Roadster. These car-making neighbors have built similar coupes for a while, but now the tops come off and it is time for an autumnal run through the countryside for evaluation and pretty picture-making.

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