Gold rims, a park bench spoiler and a carbon-fibre shell suit mean the Zonda R wears the meanest retirement outfit ever worn. And, amazingly, the R was built purely at the behest of an Italian-American customer because "the thought had been in [his] mind for quite some time."

Now in its tenth year, the Zonda is due to be replaced during 2009, so this is its last iteration (of which there have been many) - and surely the most mental. The aim was to bypass the restrictions posed by making the car road legal, and instead focus entirely on making the most honed, uncompromised, ultimate version of a car that’s already reasonably quick.

It took 24-months from conception to the show car - which was unveiled in Vienna this week - and despite the familiar appearance only ten percent of it is carried over from the Zonda F. Powered by a version of the 6.0-litre V12 engine from the Mercedes CLK GTR, the hypercar produces 750bhp at 8,000pm and will demolish 60mph from nothing in 3.2 seconds. Even more astounding is the 248.54mph top speed.

No, the most astounding thing is this: the guy that conceived the car, who is "not interested in racing" will have it installed in his living room as a giant stereo on which he’ll listen to the R tearing around the Nurburgring.

Had he chosen to do so himself, he’d be burning the 'ring, so to speak, in a Zonda with a brand new carbon fibre monocoque chassis, widened and lengthened for more secure handling. Forged aluminium suspension plants the wheels more firmly onto the tarmac, and power is fed through a six-speed sequential gearbox. There’s also a carbon fibre air intake, an adjustable rear wing and an F1-style exhaust.

Ten Zonda Rs will be made, each with a £1.1m price tag, but if you need to ask...

Mark Nichol - 16 Jan 2009