In 1983, when Zahir Rana watched as
Magnum PI drifted his way across a Hawaiian beach in a Ferrari 308, his passion
for exotics sparked what would forever change his life. He immediately went out
and purchased his first 1984 Ferrari 308 QV and never looked back.
Growing up in Kisumu, Kenya, Rana always
had his eye on fast cars. And as soon as he turned 16, he left Kenya for London
to pursue an education in the automotive field. A few years later, moving to
Calgary, Alberta became a game changer for Rana.
The
Ferrari FXX is the most advanced GT ever created at Maranello
“No companies in Canada do what I do. I
improve them for speed, handling, and esthetics,” Rana said regarding ZR
Exotics, his sport and exotic car care facility located in Calgary. Zahir Rana
opened ZR Exotics to provide clients with the ultimate service, repair,
detailing and performance tuning packages without compromise. “My cars are
extreme. I have to have the best, fastest and most extreme. I like to be
different.” Since he opened ZR Exotics more than 10 years ago, Rana has
continued to be passionate with high expectations that he sets for himself and
in turn delivers to his customers.
Zahir Rana and ZR Exotics is the only
company in Canada who can outshine the competition when it comes to his tuning
program and with the world’s fastest Enzo Ferrari ZXX that statement would be
hard to argue.w
Powered
by an imposing 6,262 cc V12 engine, the Ferrari FXX can punch out over 800 hp
at 8,500 rpm
With a new intake system featuring an air
box with ram effect, Rana has increased the performance of the Enzo with more
than 900 horse power, max torque of 850 Nm at 5,800 rpm, increased the
switching speed on a record-breaking 10,000 r/min, reduced the weight of
approximately 100kg to create a top speed of over 390 km/h. The world’s first
aerodynamic package with KW race suspension from the FIA GT Series has made
Rana’s Enzo Ferrari ZXX truly one of a kind.
Rana has owned or driven practically every
type of exotic car there is. Just a sample of exotics in his tuning program
include the Lamborghini Gallardo 1500 BHP, Ferrari F40 535 BHP, Ferrari F430
Novitec 707 BHP and a 1963 Austin Mini wide body that weighs approximately
1,000 pounds with 400 BHP.
Ferrari
FXX is its sophisticated telemetry system, which monitors and provides feedback
on 39 different vehicle dynamic parameters in real time
Rana is partnered with Edo Competition
(specializing in Ferrari and Maserati Supercars), Porsche Techart, and
Lamborghini IMSA Germany, among other high performance industry bests. “We work
hand in hand with the finest North American and European specialist tuning
companies to make your dreams a reality.” And Zahir Rana doesn’t just own the
company; he personally works with customers to ensure the project’s success.
Rana believes exotics are meant to be
driven and drive them he does. He has started a trend of driving not hiding
these million dollar supercars as many high-end car owners do. Since he had
made his Enzo a daily driver, he has seen more exotics hitting the streets.
When asked about the passion behind it all, Rana simply said; “I like
personalized cars and there are people out there like me.” Rana and ZR Auto not
only modify and customize exotic cars, but they use them to help support
multiple charities through organizations like Race the Base Challenge, a Canadian
Forces Outreach Event.
