It must be admitted that little Christian was still slightly different from the average Russian schoolchild, because he was the heir to an ancient noble family and had the title of baronet. From childhood, von Koenigsegg showed interest in technology, and at the age of 14 he already assembled and finalized his moped. At the age of 20, he founds Alpraaz AB, a food supply company. It was thanks to this company that the young Swede was able to amass capital for himself, which he later spent on developing an ambitious project - his own supercar, and besides this, to get the proud title of "Sweden's First Supercar" for his brand. And who wouldn't love to have their name in history? Christian understood that many enthusiasts before him had failed with this venture. Not afraid of problems, in 1994 Koenigsegg opens the car company Koenigsegg Automotive AB.
1994 - Founding of Koenigsegg Automotive AB
In addition to the personal funds of the heir to the title, the capital for the company was also subsidies for opening a new business of the Swedish Industrial Development Agency. The main idea of the baronet was to create a sports car with the characteristics of a Formula 1 car. 22-year-old Christian not only thought over the design of his brainchild, but also worked on its appearance, which, however, was subsequently finalized by industrial designer David Crawford.
The first prototype of the new car was built a year and a half later, in 1996, and became the ancestor of a series of experimental cars that were subjected to development tests and search work. Work on the creation of the car was carried out literally on the go. So, the first prototype was run in by the company's engineers on public roads, which attracted the attention of the Swedish police.
Having learned about the details of the project, the Swedish police even issued a permit to test the car on the roads, but only ... with a body. Yes, yes, the company's engineers finished the chassis of the car, which did not even have a body! The exterior body panels were ready in no time, and the supercar received a road test permit. In all stages of work on the car, computer modeling was widely used.
1997 - Koenigsegg CC Prototype
In 1997, the company presented its first child at the Cannes Film Festival. The public was interested in the new supercar, so Christian realized that he needed to bring his idea to mass production. The prototype car was named Koenigsegg CC (Competition Coupe). The goal of the baronet was to beat the legendary McLaren F1 in speed, but this did not happen. On tests, the car reached a speed of 370 km / h, falling short of the F1 record of some 2 km / h!
The design of the car is based on a rigid aluminum monocoque body, to which external panels made of composite materials are attached. Suspension - independent double-lever. Under the hood, a modified V8 engine from the legendary Ford Modular engine series was placed. And to be completely precise, it’s not under the hood, but within the base, because all Koenigsegg models are mid-engine. Also, until 2015, they were traditionally rear-wheel drive.
Initially, the 4.6-liter 32-valve V8 was, but Koenigsegg increased its volume to 4.7 liters by boring the cylinders, installed forged pistons and crankshaft, and also installed a compressor. Engine power jumped from the stock 300 hp. up to 655 forces. A 6-speed "mechanics" is aggregated with it.
With such a charge, light, weighing only 1,200 kilograms, the supercar accelerated to “hundreds” in just 3.5 seconds. On tests, the prototype received good reviews, but it was not enough to build just a fast car. It also had to comply with safety and environmental standards. The car's spartan interior was complemented by leather seats, air conditioning and a high-end audio system. The modified car was presented in 2000 at the Paris Motor Show. As in Cannes, the prototype received a lot of rave reviews, not only from the public, but also from a number of experts. The car received several design awards, and the Swedish magazine Automobil proclaimed Königsegg "Sweden's Car of the Year".
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2002 - Koenigsegg CC8S
In 2002, the SS prototype was brought to mass production. The main difference between the new car and the experienced ones was the redesigned front and rear headlights and bumpers.
The main "chip" was the unique lifting doors, called "beetle wing" type doors (not to be confused with "gull wing"!). The door first separates from the bodywork, then swings upwards on unique double parallel arm hinges made specifically for Koenigsegg and stops at right angles. The hinges pivot on a powered hinge and push the door outward in an arc. The doors are equipped with gas shock absorbers, so a little effort is required to open such a door. This design allows you to open the door in a limited space, providing sufficient freedom of action for entry / exit.
The central section of the roof was removable, and with a flick of the wrist the coupe turned into an open targa convertible. The production model has no technical differences from the SS prototype: the same 655-horsepower V8, 6-speed "mechanics" and two-lever independent suspension front and rear. A total of 6 CC8S cars were produced.
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2004 - Koenigsegg CCR
Christian did not stop there, and already in 2004 the company introduced its new CCR model. Thanks to the use of two new Lysholm compressors and a titanium exhaust system, Ford's 4.7-liter V8 engine, inherited from the CC8S model, was boosted to 806 hp. It is curious, but true: the engine produced such power on a completely non-supercar 92-m gasoline.
A new 6-speed manual transmission from the Italian company CIMA is aggregated with the engine. By the way, the same company cooperates with. The main external differences from the CC8S model are enlarged side air intakes, a modified rear part of the car to improve the aerodynamic properties of the structure, as well as new headlights. A total of 20 copies were produced at a price of €530,000. By order, a 7-speed "mechanics" could be installed on the car, but then the price of the car increased by €60,000.
On February 23, 2005, at the fast track Nardo in Italy, this car set a new world record for top speed of 388 km/h. Later, however, this record was broken by the Bugatti Veyron.
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2006 - Koenigsegg CCX
The new model was traditionally shown to the public at the autumn Paris Motor Show. CCX is short for Competition Coupe X, where X stands for the tenth anniversary since the first CC prototype was built in 1996. The car was designed with an eye on the American market and taking into account American safety and environmental requirements.
All the same 806-horsepower compressor 4.7-liter V8 engine accelerated the supercar to “hundreds” in 3.2 seconds, and the maximum speed approached the cherished 400 km / h. The aluminum alloy monocoque body remained unchanged, while the outer panels were made of composite materials. In total, ten copies of the CSH were produced at a price of €630,000 each.
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2007 - Koenigsegg CCXR
In 2007, the company introduced a highly accelerated version of the CCX, which received another letter in the name - R. The Ford engine from the CCX was seriously modified, a new compressor, forged pistons and an exhaust system made of Inconel heat-resistant alloy were installed. Power reached 1,018 hp.
It is curious that such indicators were achieved by filling the tank with environmentally friendly fuel - bioethanol E85. The engine can run on regular gasoline, but the power output will not be as impressive. When using a 1018-horsepower configuration, the car accelerates to "hundreds" in 3.1 seconds, and the maximum speed reaches 402 km / h. Externally, the CCXR does not differ from the CCX model and is, in fact, its more powerful and environmentally friendly version. The price of the car exceeded €700,000.
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2007 - racing program, Koenigsegg CCGT
Together with the latest CCXR, a racing prototype was shown at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show, named the Koenigsegg CCGT. The FIA GT1 racing car was based on the CCR supercar. To comply with the technical regulations of the class, the car was subjected to a comprehensive modernization.
Both compressors were removed from the native V8 engine and squandered to increase its volume to 5 liters. In addition, a dry sump lubrication system was installed to solve problems with oil starvation in turns and a multi-throttle air intake to improve cylinder filling.
The power of the new atmospheric "eight" in comparison with the supercharged version fell by more than 200 forces - up to 600 hp. A CIMA sequential gearbox with a magnesium crankcase is aggregated with the engine.
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In accordance with the rules of the FIA GT1 competition, the "Swede" is equipped with a developed safety cage and pneumatic jacks. The aerodynamics of the car was worked out taking into account the racing tracks - a rear wing and a new diffuser appeared, and a more developed spoiler was installed in front. But while the prototype was being developed into a full-fledged car, the homologation rules in the GT1 class were changed: to pass, it was required to produce a batch of at least 50 production cars.
Considering that no more than 25 Koenigsegg cars are produced per year, the dream of motorsport had to be said goodbye. CCGT remained in a single copy, which was not destined to start in the race.
2008 - Koenigsegg Edition
In 2008, Koenigsegg introduced a special edition of their cars called Edition. A total of 20 cars were produced, 14 of which were in the CCX Edition and only 6 were in the CCXR Edition. The series was purely fashionable: the cars were distinguished by wheels made of polished aluminum and body panels made of unpainted carbon fiber.
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2009 – Koenigsegg Quant Concept
In 2009, Koenigsegg surprised all enthusiasts and fans with its concept, which received the proper name Quant. This is the first electric car for the brand and the first car for the brand with more than two seats in the cabin. True, in Koenigsegg they were only engaged in the design of a four-seater electric car, and the Swedish company NLV Solar AG, which creates photovoltaic cells and batteries, was responsible for the technical “stuffing”.
The design of the almost five-meter electric car is based on a carbon-fiber monocoque on which external aluminum panels are hung. Two electric motors are located on each of the rear wheels and give out a total of 512 hp. The Quant is powered by a FAES (Flow Accumulator Energy Storage) electrochemical battery with flow batteries. Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries, flow batteries use two separate liquids in which the active substances are dissolved. Two pumps constantly pump the electrolyte through the working area - hence the name.
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The advantages of such a battery over lithium-ion ones are a longer resource and a greater number of charge cycles. Among the disadvantages are high cost and explosiveness. The battery is located in the base under the floor and allows you to charge in several ways. In addition to the usual recuperation systems during braking and charging through a wire, you can also charge from the sun's rays, which are captured by a special body coating.
Unfortunately, the Koenigsegg company did not have enough funds to continue working on this unique project. But NLV does not leave hopes for the creation of mass-produced cars and founded the nanoFLOWCELL company in Liechtenstein, which presented an experimental prototype nanoFLOWCELL Quant F in Geneva in 2014. However, this is a topic for a separate article.
2010 – Koenigsegg Agera
In honor of the 15th anniversary of his company, Christian von Koenigsegg presents a new model, named Agera. Translated from Swedish, the word agera means "go to action." This is exactly what the brand did, which released a car that became a worthy competitor to the Bugatti Veyron.
Agera is a further development of the concept of previous models of the brand. Like its predecessors, Agera is a two-seater hypercar with an aluminum monocoque and a carbon fiber body, capable of accelerating to more than 400 km / h. The car is very compact and has a length of only 4.2 meters.
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The aerodynamics of the car has been carefully designed: a new front bumper with a developed spoiler, larger side air intakes and a new rear bumper with a developed diffuser. Not without a new wing.
Under the hood of the car hides a 5-liter V8 engine with two compressors developed by the brand's engineers. The basis, again, was taken by the Ford Modular engine, which has undergone major changes. The atmospheric version of this motor, as we remember, was tested on the CCGT racing prototype. In the compressor version for the Agera, the new engine, weighing only 197 kg, produces over 960 hp. and 1,100 Nm of torque.
Agera's maximum speed exceeds, as we have already said, 400 km / h, and acceleration to "hundreds" takes about 3 seconds. At the same time, the new motor complies with the latest environmental regulations in force where this machine is sold - in the USA, Europe and the Middle East.
The engine has a dry sump in the lubrication system, which made it possible to lower the overall center of gravity of the car. The lubrication system is controlled by a special electronic system, which, thanks to a high-performance oil pump, allows oil to be supplied in any, even the most difficult conditions that prevent normal circulation in the motor.
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The seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission was developed in cooperation with CIMA. Thanks to the parallel operation of the two clutches, gear changes are almost instantaneous. In addition, compared to the previous gearbox, the new one is lighter and more compact.
Thanks to all the tricks, the weight of the car did not exceed 1,350 kg. Among the new products is a limited slip differential with an electronic control unit, which is connected at the right time, after analyzing the longitudinal and lateral accelerations of the car, steering angle, body angle, vehicle speed and engine speed.
The system also includes intelligent control of the distribution of traction between the two rear drive wheels, which adapts to the driving style of the car.
The interior trim of the car is made of expensive leather and Alcantara - especially soft suede, as well as carbon fiber and polished aluminum. All interior details are made specifically for this car.
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2011 – Koenigsegg Agera R
For those who think Agera is not fast enough, in 2011 the company introduced an even more forced version, which received the letter R in the name. The craziest detail of the new hypercar was ... a roof box for transporting skis (by the way, along with skis).
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Agera's V8 engine is prepared to run on a mixture of bioethanol and E85 gasoline and produces a monstrous 1,140 hp. and 1,200 Nm of torque. In addition to new compressors, the car also has a more freely breathing exhaust system. True, if the engine runs on ordinary gasoline, its characteristics will correspond to the characteristics of the "ordinary" Agera.
The aerodynamics of the car also underwent a slight refinement - a new diffuser appeared in the rear bumper, an enlarged wing and a front spoiler. Another interesting novelty was the new Triplex type independent rear suspension, developed jointly with the eminent Ohlins company. The rear wheels are interconnected by a beam, which made it possible to install softer elastic elements.
To lighten the weight, hollow air-filled rims were created. This made it possible to win back as much as 20 kg from unsprung masses. The maximum speed of the Agera R exceeds 440 (!) km/h, and acceleration to “hundreds” takes 2.7 seconds.
On September 2, 2011, the Koenigsegg Agera R hypercar set 6 official world records at the Koenigsegg test track: record acceleration time from 0 to 300 km/h and 200 mph (322 km/h), best braking from 300 km/h and 200 mph, as well as the best time for the "acceleration to 300 km/h (200 mph) and deceleration to 0" exercise.
2013 – Koenigsegg Agera S
The supercar was positioned as an intermediate model between the “regular” Agera and the “hot” version of the Agera R. The 5-liter V8 engine is boosted to 1,040 hp and the torque reaches 1,100 Nm. Acceleration to "hundreds" of the S takes 2.9 seconds, and the top speed exceeds 400 km / h. The first Koenigsegg Agera S was sold at a special auction in Singapore - a bright blue car sold for $4.2 million to a client who wished to remain anonymous. Thus, Agera S became the most expensive car sold in Singapore.
2013 – Koenigsegg Agera S Hundra
In 2013, the company built its hundredth car, which received the proper name Agera S Hundra (translated from Swedish, this means "hundred"). In terms of technology, the car is almost no different from Agera. A 5-liter supercharged V8 develops as much as 1,030 hp. With such a “herd”, acceleration to “hundreds” takes only 2.9 seconds, and the official maximum speed is not disclosed, it is only said that it “exceeds 400 km / h”.
A distinctive feature of the car from its counterparts is the unique finish of some elements with 24 carat gold. The rear wing, exhaust pipe and even the springs in the suspension are covered with gilding. In addition, some details in the cabin were also covered with gold, for example, some buttons and switches were gilded. The one-of-a-kind Hundra was sold to an anonymous collector in Singapore. The transaction price was $1.6 million.
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2014 – Koenigsegg One:1
At the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, the company introduced the world's first megacar, the Koenigsegg One:1. The name of the new car is explained by the fact that its power / weight ratio is 1: 1, that is, each horsepower drags only a kilogram of curb weight. The power of the car is one megawatt or 1,360 hp. - in fact, that's why the creators call their car a megacar. The car is made on the basis of Agera, but deeply modernized.
Among the new products, it is worth noting the complex of active aerodynamics. The carbon fiber elements at the front of the car can be hydraulically flexed to increase downforce in corners and reduce air resistance at top speeds. Not without an electronically controlled rear wing, which is also an additional aerodynamic brake.
The car was lightened as much as possible: the carbon-fiber elements were made according to a different weaving pattern, which made it possible to reduce the number of layers of carbon fabric. Not only wheels and seats are made of carbon fiber, but even sun visors (several hundred grams were won back on them).
Agera's 5-liter V8 engine received a new variable geometry turbocharger, and some of its elements were made on 3D printers, which allowed for a slight reduction in weight. Even the end part of the titanium exhaust system was made using printers. Layer-by-layer printing of such a titanium product takes three days. The company figured it would be easier to 3D print a series of six pieces than to look for a company ready to take on the production of a part on the side.
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Among the innovations, it is worth noting the adaptive suspension with variable ground clearance. Moreover, the settings for the best racing tracks are stored in the memory of the suspension, and the results of the lap can be saved in the owner’s smartphone.
A total of 6 One:1 cars were produced. The price of the model exceeded $2 million.
2015 – Koenigsegg Regera and Koenigsegg Agera RS
At the Geneva Motor Show in 2015, the company introduced two new items at once - the Regera megacar and the Agera hypercar in the RS version.
In addition, the megacar does not have a traditional gearbox. Torque is transmitted to the wheels via the Koenigsegg Direct Drive system via an electric motor directly to the axle, resulting in almost no transmission losses.
Like any hyper-hybrid, the Regera is capable of running purely on electric power, but its range is limited by a small battery (so as not to make the car even heavier) and is only 35 kilometers. The car weighs 1,420 kilograms, but due to the fact that it has more power than mass, it can accelerate to “hundreds” in just 2.5 seconds. The maximum speed of the new hybrid has not been announced.
The hypercar received a new aerodynamically thought-out body with elements of active aerodynamics. Like the rest of the Koenigseggs, the central part of the car's roof is removed. The opening of doors, hood and trunk can be controlled using the remote control.
The Regera's standard equipment includes a multimedia system developed jointly with Apple with a nine-inch touch screen, a leather interior with electric drives and air conditioning. For a surcharge, they will offer a titanium exhaust system, Brembo carbon-ceramic disc brakes and carbon discs.
In total, 80 hyperhybrids will be produced over the next five years. As explained in the company, the number 80 was not chosen in vain: in numerology, it means achievement and dominance. The price of the car reaches $1.9 million before taxes.
Together with Regera, a forced version of Agera, called the Agera RS, was shown at the auto show. The solutions previously used on One:1 found their place in the new model. So, active suspension and carbon rims were used. The mass of the car has decreased to 1,330 kg. The 5-liter V8 develops 1,176 hp. and 1,280 Nm of torque. Acceleration from zero to "hundreds" was 2.8 seconds, and the maximum speed - 415 km / h. The circulation of the model was limited to 25 copies.
Future plans
Koenigsegg has been working on an engine design for several years, where electronically controlled electromagnetic actuators will be responsible for the operation of the valves, that is, each valve will work independently. Thanks to this, new advanced options for adjusting the valve timing will appear, which will improve the performance of the engines. According to the head of the company, Christian von Koenigsegg, work on a motor with such a drive is almost completed, prototypes are being tested. In the next few years, the baronet expects to bring this technology to small-scale production.
Unsuccessful purchase of SAAB
In 2009, General Motors was on the verge of bankruptcy due to the financial crisis, and was getting rid of a number of its assets. Koenigsegg considered buying the Swedish brand Saab, listed in the American concern. The tiny supercar maker guaranteed a $600 million investment, bringing in the Swedish government, which did not want to lose jobs at Saab, and the Chinese company BAIC. General Motors accepted the offer, but negotiations dragged on. GM feared that the Chinese company would gain access to the technologies transferred by the concern to Saab in recent years. What happened to the company next, we described in detail in an obituary - The Top Gear Automotive program on May 6, 2006 conducted a test drive of the Koenigsegg CCX car. The well-known TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson not only praised the car for its accelerating dynamics and top speed, but also sharply criticized it for its lack of downforce. Subsequently, in the race for the best lap time on the telecast race track, the car driven by the "tamed racer" Stig was wrecked. Analyzing the accident, the leading team came to the conclusion that the car would have been more stable if it had been equipped with a rear wing. On May 28, 2006, the company provided the program with an upgraded CSH with a rear wing. Then, under the control of the Stig, the car set a lap record on the track.
Koenigsegg car manufacturing
Initially, the company was located in the small Swedish town of Olofstrom, and in 1997 moved to Margretetorp, a suburb of Engelsholm, where it acquired a small building for a factory. In 2003, a massive fire broke out at the factory, caused by a short circuit. Fortunately, they managed to save all the documentation, and the company moved again, occupying an old military airfield located under the same Engelsholm.
The old hangars were converted into a factory, they were equipped with car assembly equipment, and one of the buildings of the former airport is now used as an office. The company restored the old runways, partly turning the former airfield into a test track, on which all the cars he built are personally tested by Christian von Koenigsegg. Having its own airstrip allows the firm to take wealthy clients on private jets.
The company produces up to 20 cars annually. Each car is built by hand by special order. The company is engaged in the production of its own power units and vehicle components, but a small number of components and assemblies are still purchased from other manufacturers. Among the firm's suppliers are Ford (engines), CIMA (gearboxes), Ohlins (suspension components), AP Racing and Brembo (braking systems).
What is the "trick" of Koenigsegg cars?
1. Lap records on several famous circuits (eg Top Gear test track, Hockenheimring, Seca Lagoon, Nürburgring Nordschleife);
2. Power-to-weight ratio 1 to 1 on the One:1 model;
3. Several models for driving on a mixture of gasoline and ethanol;
4. Using the archaic Ford Modular engine as the basis;
5. The design of the "beetle wings" doors.
Hypercar One:1, which should become the fastest road car in the world, leaving Bugatti Veyron behind.
Due to the widespread use of composite materials in the design of the car, its weight was reduced to 1,360 kg. And the power of the 5.0-liter V8 twin-turbo, capable of running on regular and racing gasoline, as well as E85 bioethanol, has been increased to 1,360 hp.
The peak torque of the engine reaches 1,371 Nm at 6,000 rpm. Traction is transferred to the rear axle via a 7-speed dual-clutch robotic transmission, developed by Koenigsegg in-house.
Thus, the ratio of mass to power in a hypercar is one kilogram to one horsepower, which is reflected in its name One: 1 (“one to one”). The company promises that the novelty will surpass all competitors in acceleration from zero to 100, 200, 300 and 400 km / h from standstill.
At the same time, the mark of four hundred kilometers per hour Koenigsegg One: 1 should be exchanged in about 20 seconds, and the maximum speed of the hypercar will be about 450 km / h. For comparison, it takes 25 seconds to accelerate from standstill to four hundred kilometers per hour. longer.
The maximum speed of the top version of the Veyron is officially 431 km / h, but customers receive cars with an electronic limiter of 415 km / h. In total, only six Koenigsegg One:1 coupes (plus one prototype) were built, each costing about $2,000,000. True, by the time the model was presented, all of them had already been sold out on pre-orders.
Curious fact. In the fall of 2016, it became known about the sale in the United States of one copy of this model, for which an unnamed buyer paid $ 10 million, i.e. the car actually went for a price that was five times higher than the original cost. Not a bad investment!
Among other features of the megacar (this is how the manufacturer positions the car, since its power is equal to a whole megawatt), it is important to note the appearance of active aerodynamic elements, among which there are dividers on the front bumper and a hydraulically driven rear wing.
The latter has several positions and can be used as an air brake (stopping the Koenigsegg One:1 from a speed of 400 km / h takes just 10.0 seconds), and when driving at high speeds, the listed elements generate downforce of 600 kg. In turns, the lateral overloads of the machine can reach 2g.
The hypercar is equipped with powerful carbon-ceramic brakes with 397 mm front discs, suspension with active shock absorbers and full carbon fiber wheels, “shod” with mixed tires Michelin Cup Tires with a diameter of 19 inches in front and 20 in the rear. These tires are capable of withstanding speeds up to 440 km/h.
In 2010, at the Geneva Motor Show, the Swedish company, which quickly established itself in the hypercar market, introduced the new Koenigsegg Agera, designed to replace the previous CCX model.
The date of the presentation of the car was not accidental. As in other cases, they were tied to a round date, this time to the 15th anniversary of the founding of the company.
Christian von Kenisegg, with the perseverance characteristic of the Scandinavians, tried to achieve the conquest of the next peak, and it cannot be said that the attempt failed. Model close to the mark of 400 km / h, making it one of the fastest cars at the time of release.
In 2011, an improved version of the Agera R appeared, and in 2013 it underwent a large-scale restyling, as a result of which the car is capable of accelerating to 440 km / h, which puts it on a par with the Bugatti Chiron.
Like all hypercars capable of reaching speeds in excess of 350 km / h, the Koenigsegg Agera has an almost ideal aerodynamic shape and a minimum drag coefficient.
The supercar is literally pressed to the ground - the total height is only 1120 mm, with a clearance of 100 mm - thus providing sufficient downforce, especially at high speeds.
The body of the car is completely made of carbon fiber to reduce the overall weight and is made in the form of a targa, although the monocoque itself is made of a durable and lightweight aluminum alloy. The windshield is fixed in a reinforced frame, which serves as an additional element of body rigidity.
In the rear of the cockpit there are retractable safety arches. The roof is removable in the center - if necessary, it retracts into a special compartment in the rear section of the body, turning the hypercar into a roadster.
The elongated headlights, elongated upwards, are harmoniously located on the outstanding athletic wings, creating a curved bonnet line. Installed under the front bumper, the splitter diverts the incoming air flow into two volumetric air intakes, from where it is redirected to blow the front brakes.
A striking feature of the Koenigsegg Agera is the unique design of the door mechanism, called "beetle wing". Unlike the “gull wing”, when the opening is made strictly upwards, here the door is first separated from the body by 15 mm on a special hinge, and then rotates up and forward at an angle of 90 degrees. In addition to being unique, this design is quite practical - you can park anywhere and get out of the car without a problem.
Interior
Salon - the embodiment of Swedish conciseness and the latest technology. The main finishing material is ultra-light carbon - almost everything is made of it, from the interior panels to the frame of the seats.
Seats and door cards are trimmed with high-quality Alcantara in various colors at the request of the client. On the center console there is an on-board system display, under which there are control keys arranged in a circle.
A small, slightly oval-shaped steering wheel in the best racing tradition, and under it are the transmission paddles. The dashboard is unusual - it has only one massive dial installed in the middle, and on the sides there are additional scales of various on-board systems.
Agera powertrain and transmission
Swedish engineers should be given credit for what they were able to squeeze out of the motor. Under the hood is a relatively small engine for sports cars Koenigsegg Aluminum V8 own design based on the Ford Modular engine, having a volume of only 5.0 liters.
Engineers managed to squeeze out of him as much as 940 hp at 6900 rpm, thanks to a number of technical innovations and a 1.3 bar turbocharged boost. The engine has a dry sump lubrication system, which allowed it to be lowered as far as possible to lower the center of gravity and improve weight distribution. The torque is about 1000 Nm, and it is already available in the range from 2700 to 6150 rpm.
Used as a transmission 7-speed sequential gearbox with two clutches and paddle shifters. It was developed by Koenigsegg in collaboration with CIMA. Its design provides instant response to gear changes.
The hypercar is rear-wheel drive, and to improve handling and cornering, it is equipped with an intelligent traction control system that allows you to change the load between the drive wheels.
Speed characteristics very high:
- maximum speed - 390 km / h;
- acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h - 3.1 s;
- from 0 to 200 - 8.9 s;
- from 0 to 300 - 14.53 s;
- full deceleration from 300 to 0 - 6.66 s.
In normal driving mode on the highway (up to 200 km / h), an 80-liter tank is enough for about 600-650 km. When reaching a speed of over 200 km / h, the indicator drops by almost 2 times.
For effective braking, the car is equipped with high-performance ventilated ceramic disc brakes with servo-position calipers. Discs with a diameter of 392 mm and a thickness of 36 mm with 6-cylinder calipers are installed on the front axle, 380 mm 34 mm wide and 4-cylinder on the rear axle.
Specifications
Price
In terms of cost, the hypercar occupies one of the highest positions. In the basic configuration, that is, without installing options in the form of an author's interior trim, winter package, etc., the price of Koenigsegg Agera is about $1,400,000 (79.1 million rubles).
Currently, the car is not produced, because it has given way to the more powerful Agera R.
Video
Official website: www.koenigsegg.se
Headquarters: Sweden, Margretethorp
Koenigsegg is a Swedish manufacturer of exclusive sports cars. Founded in 1994 by Christian von Koenigsegg.
Initially located in Olafstrom, later moved to Margretethorp, near Angelholm.
A small Swedish company from the town of Angelholm does not have such a big name and such a glorious history as Ferrari or Porsche. But it is here, in the north of Europe, that Koenigsegg sports cars are produced, which are superior to Italian and German competitors. They reach the highest speeds and have more power than any other mass-produced car. When assembling, materials developed using space technologies are used. By the way, now Koenigsegg is located on the territory of a huge factory for the production of jet fighters.
In 1993, the ambitious Swedish designer and entrepreneur Christian von Koenigsegg launched the project of the perfect car. Koenigsegg brought in designer David Craford and a team of the best specialists. Two years later, they managed to assemble an experimental model. This success led to the founding of Koenigsegg Automotive Ltd.
The team consists of four engineers, three R&D specialists, and four composite materials experts. Four craftsmen are involved in pre-assembly, two people assemble the engines, five people work in the final assembly shop and two in the warehouse.
Five employees are involved in PR, implementation, administration and management of the company. At present, the plant's capacity allows the simultaneous assembly of up to seven vehicles, four of which are in pre-assembly and three in the final assembly shop.
In 2000, Koenigsegg began mass production of the CC 8S model, and in the spring of 2004 the Swedes released the CCR model. Thanks to the 806 horsepower engine, this model was included in the Guinness Book of Records as the most powerful car for public roads. On February 28, 2005, Koenigsegg test pilot Loris Bicocci at the Nardo Prototipo test site in southern Italy developed a record 387.87 km / h on the CCR.
It is not surprising that the novelty from Koenigsegg was eagerly awaited. The third serial supercar from Angelholm - CCX - was presented at the Geneva Motor Show. CCX is short for Competition Coupe X (racing two-seater X). It is dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the first SS prototype, which rolled out of the design bureau in 1996.
It is not easy to distinguish one modification from another, and the technical characteristics are close. Differences are noticeable only in the ideology of machines. CC8S and CCR are sports cars released on public roads. CSH is designed to be more comfortable and cozy. His motto is "I travel at extreme speed".
The main task of the Koenigsegg team was to maintain a recognizable and unique form. The creators chose to avoid the general trends of supercars, improving the unique appearance of the car with tighter lines and aggressive design. The first impression of the CCX is dynamic and futuristic. It looks surprisingly low and wide, and the exterior is dominated by a semi-circular windshield reminiscent of a car's cockpit.
The body and chassis of Koenigsegg vehicles are made from lightweight carbon fiber reinforced with Kevlar and aluminum honeycomb structures. Thanks to this, the machine weighs only 1180 kg. A two-door body with a hard top that retracts under the front boot lid creates ideal aerodynamics: a drag coefficient of 0.3.
With a length of 4.3 meters, the new Koenigsegg received only 10 centimeters of ground clearance - for this car, good asphalt is even more important than a good driver.
The front hood has new air intakes to bring fresh air into the cab. The rear hood has a glass window over the engine that allows a clear view of the unique casting of the cylinder block, which is engraved with an embossed Koenigsegg logo on each side.
Next to the hood, in the head air intake, the main novelty is hidden - the “vortex generator”, or, as the Swedes themselves call it, the turbulator. It directs the air flow directly into the air intake, creating overpressure in the intake manifold.
The engine on the CCX has been completely redesigned to meet the strictest environmental regulations in Switzerland and California. That did not prevent him from maintaining unique power characteristics. The V-shaped "eight" made of cast aluminum with a working volume of 4.7 liters produces unthinkable power - 806 horsepower. And the maximum torque was 920 Nm at 5700 rpm.
In 3.2 seconds, the CCX accelerates to 100 km / h, and overcomes the standard quarter-mile street racing section in 9.9 seconds, reaching a speed of 235 km / h. The maximum speed of the Swedish monster, declared by the manufacturers, is over 395 km / h. But this car does not know how to save fuel - in urban mode, it consumes 17 liters of high-octane gasoline per 100 km.
The racing suspension system allows the rider to control every movement, even under the toughest loads. To make the car more convenient to operate in urban conditions, the CCX received new bumpers that can withstand collisions at a speed of 4 km / h without damage. And crash tests have confirmed that, in terms of safety, the Koenigsegg is a real Swedish car.
The interior of each instance is developed separately, taking into account the wishes of the client, and the position of the carbon fiber chair is also adjusted to it, in which only the back of the seat remains movable.
The interior height of the cab has been increased by 50 mm, which makes the CCX semi-monocoque spacious - even tall drivers will be comfortable in it, despite the fact that the height of the car is only 112 cm.
In 1994, the Swedish company Koenigsegg was founded, specializing in the production of sports cars and supercars of its own design. However, the main staff is quite small, which does not allow the company to produce a large number of cars. However, this fact has become one of the reasons for the popularity of the brand among buyers of super and hypercars. In 1998, the first model of the brand was introduced, called the SS. The rear-wheel drive supercar has become one of the few competitors of the McLaren F1 model. Under the hood of the car is an eight-cylinder power unit with a capacity of 655 horsepower.
After 3 years, on the basis of the CC model, the CC8S model was introduced, which received the same engine as its predecessor, and the key innovations were body materials, a lightweight platform and a new body developed in the Toyota wind tunnel and made of carbon.
Currently, Koenigsegg Automotive Ltd can rightly be considered one of the best supercar manufacturers, and after the release of its new offspring called the Koenigsegg CCXR, perhaps the leader. The uniqueness of this car, which is also called the "secret bioweapon", is that it uses biofuel. The use of bioethanol, which contains a high octane number and has a relatively low combustion temperature, has led to improved engine performance, resulting in impressive performance.
3.2 seconds is the time it takes the Koenigsegg CCXR to hit 60 mph. For fans of fast driving, this car is just a godsend, it is able to overcome the mark of 400 km / h, which is achieved thanks to the huge engine power of 1018 horsepower. In the future, the developers of Koenigsegg Automotive Ltd will create a supercar weighing less than a ton, having an engine capacity of 5 liters.
Koenigsegg Automotive Ltd has a huge number of partners and suppliers who make unique parts. For the production of such supercars, high-quality expensive materials are used, which justifies the high cost of cars. For example, the cost of Koenigsegg CCXR fluctuates around 1 million 200 thousand dollars. The work of the Koenigsegg Automotive Ltd team, coordinated and worked out to the smallest detail, makes it possible to assemble seven cars at the same time (four for pre-assembly and three for final assembly).
In 2004, on the eve of the first anniversary of the brand, an exclusive CCR model was presented, released in the amount of 20 copies. Under the hood is a new engine with a capacity of 806 horsepower, and a new aerodynamic body kit allowed this model to become the fastest production car of that time. The CCR model continues to break all records. On February 28, 2005, test driver Loris Bicocci broke all previous speed records by accelerating the CCR to 387.87 kilometers per hour.
CCR (Competition Coupe), which in translation means racing two-seater, remains one of the most outstanding cars of Koenigsegg Automotive Ltd. Its release was timed to coincide with the tenth anniversary of the first CC prototype, created in 1996. The team wanted to create a car similar to the prototype, keep its features, but make it more modern and comfortable. Therefore, finding differences between the CCR and its predecessor proved difficult. The weight of the CCR is only 1180 kg. This lightness was achieved by making the body from lighter materials such as carbon fiber. The design of the car provides impeccable aerodynamics, and the drag coefficient is approximately equal to 0.3.
In 2006, Koenigsegg began production of the CCX, with the X representing the 10th anniversary of the first CC in 1996. The CCX met exclusively the requirements of the United States market. The CCXR is a modified engine with biofuel capability, resulting in twenty-five percent more power than its predecessor, the CCX.
In 2007, the company presented its first experience in the development of a "green" supercar. It was distinguished by the fact that its engine is designed to run on E85 biofuel, while developing a power of 1018 hp. A production-ready sample of the Agera R is shown at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, where it was the lightest car at 1,330 kg dry weight.
Already next year at the same event, it was already presented updated: the use of fully carbon discs helped to reduce the weight by 20 kg. A special coating applied to the cylinder liners, which reduces friction, has reduced fuel consumption.
In 2009, the Koenigsegg company was among the contenders for the purchase of the bankrupt SAAB concern, but the brand's management quickly stopped negotiations, citing the fact that the small automaker does not have enough resources for the further development of the company. And in 2011, the Koenigsegg company introduced its new Ager model, equipped with a 940 horsepower engine.
And already in 2012, the Koenigsegg Automobile Society released its 100th car, which was the Koenigsegg Agera R Hundra. It is equipped with a turbocharged engine of its own production with a volume of 5.0 liters. with a capacity of 960 hp, and using gasoline with an octane rating of 93 - 1140 hp
