Koenigsegg Agera
Fast isn’t Koenigsegg fast.
The Swedish company’s new supercar, the Agera, reaffirms this, with grace and power.
Jet quick, its 910 horses and 850 foot pounds of maximum torque launch you, and a passenger, if he or she dares, to 62 mph in 3.1 seconds, with an estimated top speed of 245 mph — if you dare.
Just a few months ago at the Geneva Auto Show, Christian von Koenigsegg debuted the Agera, and the dual-turbo car has impressed more than just the Swiss since. Scheduled for production this fall, the Agera celebrates 15 years of production for the elite Swedish car manufacturer.
“It takes the Koenigsegg experience to the next level,” says Christian, who founded the company in 1994. “Everything about it is special and second to none: the full carbon construction, the design, the fit and finish.” He notes, for example, that among the world’s supercars, it has the best horsepower/weight ratio, most horsepower per cylinder, the lowest coefficient of drag, lowest fuel consumption and the fastest time ever recorded independently: 0–300–0 km/h (approximately 187 mph) in 29.7 seconds. He adds: “Given the new chassis technology, new tires and aero-features, the car can corner up to 1.5 G on standard road tires.”
In the heritage of the original Koenigsegg CC, the two-door, two-seater Agera craves both track and street with a bring-it-on aggressiveness. After all, Agera is the Swedish verb “to act.” The word is also short for the Greek “Ageratos,” which, for Plato and fellow ancient Greeks, signified “ageless.” The new Koenigsegg is action and legend in making at the same time.
The powerplant is an aluminum 4.7-liter V-8. The 8.9:1-compression ratio engine has four valves per cylinder, double-overhead camshafts, carbon fiber intake manifold including optimized intake tracts, sequential multipoint fuel injection and a ceramic-coated exhaust system manifold with merge collector.
Mated to a newly developed seven-speed paddle-shift gearbox is an AMT transversal transmission and, in the back, you can choose between the standard torque-sensitive limited-slip differential or an optional electronic differential.
The Agera, and all Koenigseggs, are designed for speed. Appropriately, the Koenigsegg headquarters in southern Sweden, near the city of Ängelholm, was formerly occupied by the Swedish Air Force, and the new Koenigsegg is assembled where the JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets once hangared.
The CCX was introduced in 2005 and replaced the CCR. The CCX was the first Koenigsegg that had worldwide homologation. The CCXR, which the company calls the world’s first environmentally conscious supercar, is the top version of the CCX line, with a biofuel Koenigsegg engine producing up to 1,018 horses.
“The Agera is the next generation Koenigsegg supercar with many new features,” Christian explains, noting that the car incorporates more than 1,300 new components.
As with all previous Koenigseggs, the Agera body is flowing, aerodynamic, moving even while stationary. Making this possible is the lightweight body, constructed of pre-impregnated carbon fiber/kevlar and lightweight sandwich reinforcements, allowing for a curb weight of 2,832 pounds. The rear hood is one-piece carbon fiber, incorporating the air intake below the rear window and an integrated wing. Carbon vents are over the wheels, and side cavities lead air into the intercooler and oil cooler.
The detachable carbon fiber hardtop is fully integrated into the coupe and stowed in the generous front luggage space at the front, large enough for weekend bags for two or a set of golf clubs. Carbon fiber doors open to rest at a 90-degree angle by means of innovative dihedral hinges using two parallel arms rotating on a geared pivot. Because of the system’s gas struts and oil dampers, an effortless push lifts the doors.
Extensive crash testing at the Autoliv facility in Sweden and IDIADA in Spain has established the safety of the Agera and all Koenigseggs. Incorporating Formula One racing car technology and standards, the chassis is built on a semi-monocoque cockpit module that encloses you as a protection from impacts on all sides. Tubular beams protect the sides, and the back end is topped by a beam to absorb rear impact. All of the parts are fused in an autoclave oven.
Among other passive safety measures on the Koenigsegg are the collision-impact absorption zones on the body, The front subframe is designed to bend and fold to further soften the impact. Inside the cockpit, all surfaces have been tested to be harmless in all crash situations. Dual airbags are standard.
You take control of a car that’s racing ready. Steering is power-assisted rack and pinion power, with 2.7 turns lock-to-lock. The front and rear suspension includes double wishbones with two-way adjustable VPS gas-hydraulic shock absorbers, pushrod operated. Koenigsegg Z-style progressive and lightweight anti-roll bars provide stability front and rear. The ride height is electronically adjustable.
The Agera is well balanced: Weight distribution is 45 percent front and 55 percent rear. An optional electronically adjustable rear wing has both an auto setting or manual control, allowing you to adjust to situation and driving motivation. The F1-style traction control, with five handling modes, adapts to road conditions and driving styles as well as allows for manual setting.
The adjustable ABS system comprises power-assisted ventilated and drilled ceramic discs with six-piston calipers. The Koenigsegg forged Vortex aluminum wheels are center locking, 19-inch in front, 20 inch in the rear. To these are attached Y-rated Michelins, unidirectional with asymmetric tread pattern.
Inside, fluidity and functionality coalesce as with the aerodynamic body. You select information you want displayed from the digital dash, ranging from basic functionality to G force meter, power meters, satellite navigation, music, tachometer, speedometer, boost-level gauge, lap-timer or compasses.
The interior elegantly combines jet-age materials and luxurious traditional finishes. The metal parts are machined and anodized aluminum, suede is on the dash lower sections of the doors, and the new leather stitching and seams reaffirms the world-class craftsmanship of the Agera. The carpeting is also leather. The carbon fiber seats are light and adjustable for rake and length, providing ample space for tall drivers. The pedals and steering column are also adjustable.
The Agera inaugurates as well a new type of interior illumination — a first in the car industry. The Ghost Light shines through the billet aluminum buttons and surfaces, providing superior visibility as well as stylishness. Also included are four-point seatbelts for track use, MP3 player, USB connection, climate control, G sensor, alarm, tire-monitoring system, silver key, roof stowage bag and a car cover.
The MSRP is approximately $1.2 million, not including options such as fitted luggage, special leather and colors, an Inconel exhaust system, a completely clearcoated body, electronic differential, robotized rear wing, front winglets and rear parking sensors. A two-year warranty is standard.