If you’ve ever been shocked by the price of the F-35 fighter jet, wait until you hear about the Pagani Utopia Roadster. This $3.6 million hypercar shares some unexpected features with the jet, including titanium screws that help save weight. But while the F-35’s bolts cost around $5 each, the Pagani Utopia Roadster’s bolts come in at an astounding $80 per set.
Why Are Pagani Utopia Roadster Bolts So Expensive?
For anyone intrigued by the high prices of limited-edition hypercars, a recent YouTube video by Gerard Farré from Vlogs de Coches (in Spanish) takes an in-depth look at this topic. Farré reveals that the Pagani Utopia Roadster uses grade 7 titanium bolts, each engraved with the Pagani logo and the car’s chassis number—adding an exclusive touch that makes this hypercar truly one-of-a-kind.
Horacio Pagani’s Obsession with Detail
Horacio Pagani, the founder of Pagani Automobili, is known for his meticulous attention to detail. This commitment is seen in every corner of the Utopia Roadster, including the titanium fasteners. Each of these bolts costs about €80 (around $86), and with roughly 1,000 bolts in the Utopia Roadster, Pagani spends an eye-watering $86,000 just on these fasteners.
Why Titanium? The Performance Benefits
This is a stark contrast to traditional stainless steel bolts, which would only cost a few hundred dollars for the same number. But why choose titanium? Titanium is significantly lighter and stronger than stainless steel, making it crucial for reducing weight and boosting performance. This is particularly important for the Utopia, which is powered by a 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 engine producing 863 horsepower.
Titanium Fasteners in the F-35
Interestingly, the same titanium bolts are also used in the F-35 fighter jet, which requires about 48,000 fasteners. While these bolts cost only $5 each, their total cost of $240,000 is part of what makes the F-35 one of the most expensive fighter jets in the world. The F-35’s price ranges from $80 million to $100 million per unit, and the entire program is expected to cost taxpayers over $2 trillion throughout its lifetime.
The Pagani Utopia Roadster – The Ultimate Hypercar
The Pagani Utopia Roadster, revealed in July, is the latest open-top hypercar from Pagani. It combines high-performance engineering with world-class craftsmanship. Powered by the same Mercedes-AMG 6.0-liter V12 engine as the coupe version, it generates 852 horsepower, achieves a top speed of 217 mph, and is limited to just 130 units. Each Utopia Roadster starts at a hefty $3.6 million.
