The story of Koenigsegg is as fascinating and unique as its cars. Inspired at the age of 5 by a Norwegian animated film about a bicycle repairman who builds a racing car, Christian von Koenigsegg grew up dreaming of creating the perfect sports car. Against all the odds - here we are.
Christian showed an early keenness for design and technical solutions. As a young boy he always pried apart video recorders and toasters just to see how the worked and if they could be improved upon.
As a teenager he was known as the best moped tuner in town and in the early 1990’s, around his 18th birthday, Christian began to work more seriously with technical innovation and came up with two interesting ideas.
One he called the Chip Player. He believed that one day computer memory chips would be able to store an entire music CD’s worth of data and that it would probably be cheaper. He therefore envisioned and conducted some patent searching for a musical device that would play chips instead of discs. In the end no one seemed interested in the idea so Christian moved on and in 1991 invented a new solution for joining floor planks together without adhesive or nails. He called it Click, since the profile enabled the planks to simply click together.
Christian showed this technology to his father-in-law, who at the time ran a flooring factory. He rejected the idea, saying that if it was a good idea someone would have already come up with it a long time ago, and no one was asking for such a product.
Christian then showed the concept to a few other floor manufacturers who also dismissed it. In 1995 a Belgian and Swedish company patented virtually exactly the same solution as Christian’s Click floor - they even called it Click! This is now a billion dollar industry.
Most of the patents that Koenigsegg hold today are Christian’s brainchildren, such as the Rocket Catalytic Converter and the Supercharger Response/Relief system.
After the Chip and Click disappointments and general boredom of running his import/export company, Christian decided that instead of chasing after the perfect business idea he would instead follow his heart, which told him to build his dream car. Christian understood that it was virtually impossible and that many had failed before him. But to him it was a mission - to create the perfect car, no matter what.
Therefore in 1994 at the age of 22, Christian launched the Koenigsegg car company and set about creating what he believed to be the ultimate car, where no technical solution was deemed too difficult.
Christian himself sketched the initial technical layout of the car and in those days he even hand-modelled everything himself, together with a few friends who helped out for meager wages.
Nowadays Christian enjoys a full R&D department with state-of-the-art equipment to help him out, but in the beginning fantasy, keenness and imagination had to suffice in order to create the first working prototype. Incredibly enough the prototype was completed in 1996 - just two years after Christian started!
The first prototype had a unique fabricated monocoque chassis with specially designed suspension, brakes, wishbones and uprights. It had a full interior with double-curved hardened side glass fitted with electric windows. Today, 12 years on, the car still drives perfectly!
Rather like his cars, Christian’s company moved at a record pace, and in the year 2002 Koenigsegg began series production of the CC8S model that was homologated and crash tested for Europe. It proved to the world that it was indeed possible for a passionate, dedicated young man to rival the old, established supercar brands.
After a fire in the original premises Koenigsegg relocated in 2003 to its present location and headquarters - a 4000 sqm former fighter jet facility, which had previously been home to the Swedish Air Force. Along with the buildings came a 1.7 km runway, which turned out to be perfect for high-speed testing. Since the runway is 50 meters wide it can also be converted into a "race track".
Many Koenigsegg customers have enjoyed the possibility of landing their private jets just outside the door of the factory. There is also a helipad in front of the main entrance for flying visits.
In the spring of 2004 Koenigsegg launched the CCR, a vehicle that left all others behind, breaking the Guinness World Record for the fastest road-going car in production by beating the Mclaren F1 by 1 kph.
In 2006 the Koenigsegg CCX took the top position and put in the fastest lap in the now famous BBC Top Gear programme. Koenigsegg were ahead - faster than all known supercars.
In 2007 Koenigsegg launched the CCXR - a 1018 bhp version of the CCX which can run on environmentally friendlier E85 Fuel. This pioneering development made it the world’s first and only green supercar
In 2008 the Koenigsegg CCX set a new 0-300-0 km/h record, completing the dash in just 29 seconds.
THE CCR
Launched in 2004, 20 cars produced.
THE CC8S
Launched in 2000, 6 cars produced.
THE CCXR - THE FIRST GREEN SUPERCAR
The CCXR will take you to an entirely new level of performance. It is a derivative of the CCX, with a highly modified engine that can run on E85 and E100 Biofuel as well as normal 98 octane petrol (Europe). When run on regular petrol, the 4.7 litre twin-supercharged Koenigsegg engine delivers 806 Bhp, but this figure rises to an astonishing 1018 Bhp when the car is run on E85 Biofuel.
The CCXR is the first green supercar in the world and thereby sets a great example for others to follow. Since the ethanol in E85 fuel has a much higher octane rating and internal cooling capacity, the engine can run with higher compression, boost pressure and more spark advance compared to the normal petrol-fuelled CCX, whilst still maintaining the same exhaust temperature.
The Edition
CCX Edition
Performance
Acceleration: 0-100 km/h (0-62 mp/h) 3.0 seconds
0-200 km/h 9.05 sec, 0-200-0 km/h 13.85 sec
Top Speed: 400+ km/h (250+ mph) (estimated)
Braking distance: 32m (100-0 km/h)
Lateral G-force: 1.5 G
Fuel consumption: Highway travel: 13 l/100km, Combined: 17 l/100km
Weight-to-power ratio: 1.44 kg/hp
Weight distribution: 45% front, 55% rear
Aerodynamics
Cd. 0,36 Frontal area 1.867 m2
Total Downforce at 250 km/h: 350 kg
Flat underside of chassis. Venturi tunnels at rear of chassis/body
Chassis
Carbon fibre with aluminium honeycomb and integrated fuel tanks for optimal weight distribution and safety. Monocoque torsional rigidity: 58,000 nm/degree. Weight including tanks: 72 kg.
Front and rear suspension: Double wishbones, two-way adjustable VPS gas-hydraulic shock absorbers, pushrod operated. Electronically adjustable ride height.
Front: Cro-Mo subframe, with integrated crash members.
Rear: Semi-stressed engine and gearbox with support struts, for optimal rigidity and no engine inertia movements.
Fully machined aircraft aluminium uprights, with SKF LeMans specification 150mm angle contact ball bearings. GKN hollow/gun-drilled driveshafts.
Koenigsegg Z-style progressive and lightweight anti-roll bars front and rear.
Engine
Koenigsegg aluminium V8, 4 valves per cylinder, double overhead camshafts
Displacement: 4800 cc
Compression: 8.6:1
Sequential, multipoint fuel injection
Twin Rotrex centrifugal superchargers with response system, 1.4 bar boost pressure
Dry sump lubrication with oil spray piston cooling
Power output: 888 Bhp at 7000 rpm
Maximum torque: 940 Nm (693 ft/lb) at 5800 rpm
Carbon fibre intake manifold with optimised intake tracts
Patented response charge system for optimal engine response
Tig-welded ceramic-coated stainless steel exhaust manifold with merge collector
Emission levels: Euro IV and US
Weight 178 kg
Transmission
Specially developed transversal 6-speed gearbox, with optional paddle-shift
Torque sensitive limited slip differential.
Clutch: Dual Plate, Ø 240 mm. (in paddle-shift version without clutch pedal)
Final ratio: 3,364
1st gear: 2,875
2nd gear: 1,773
3rd gear: 1,267
4th gear: 1,000
5th gear: 0,833
6th gear: 0,711
Reverse gear: 3,000
Steering
Rack and pinion power-assisted steering. 2.7 turns lock-to-lock.
Turning circle: 11 metres. TRW electro-hydraulic power-assisted.
Brakes
Front brakes: Ventilated ceramic discs Ø 380 mm, 34 mm wide. 8-piston light alloy Brembo monoblock calipers. Power-assisted.
Rear brakes: Ventilated ceramic discs Ø 362 mm, 32 mm wide. 6-piston light alloy AP Racing callipers. Power-assisted.
Traction Control
F1-style for optimal performance with 5 different handling modes
Wheels
Koenigsegg forged alloy wheels with centre locking
Front: 19'' x 9.5''
Rear: 20'' x 12.5''
Tyres
Michelin Pilot Sport 2 (or Cup tires)
Unidirectional with asymmetric tread pattern
Front: 255/35 – 19” (Y)
Rear: 335/30 – 20” (Y)
Body
Two-door, two seater with removable hardtop stowable under the front hood lid. Body made from pre-impregnated carbon fibre/kevlar and lightweight sandwich reinforcements.
Electrical System
Solid state digital semiconductors - no fuses or relays. Can bus operated and fully programmable functionality.
Equipment
Visible carbon body, dual airbags, Edition rear wing, winglets, large front splitter, detachable storable hardtop with glass roof, power windows, adjustable pedals and steering column, adjustable seats in rake and length, carbon ceramic brakes with ABS, hydraulic lifting system, power steering, power brakes, GPS navigation, rear camera, DVD, CD, I-pod connection, sat radio, climate control, digital warning and info system, G sensor, alarm, tyre monitoring system, silver key, leather carpets, roof stowage bag, car cover, forged aluminium wheels, Chrono instrument cluster.
Extra Equipment
Paddle-shift, carbon wheels, fitted luggage, special leather and colour requests, Inconell exhaust system.
Dimensions
Total length: 4293 mm (169”)
Total width: 1996 mm (78.6”)
Total height: 1114 mm (44”)
Ground clearance: Rear: 95 mm (3.74”) Front: 92 mm (3.62”)
Fuel capacity: 70 litres (18.5 US gallons)
Luggage compartment: 120 litres (31.7 US gallons)
Dry weight: 1280 kg (2821 lbs)
CCXR Edition
Performance
Acceleration: 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) 2.9 seconds
0-200 km/h 8.75 sec. 0-200-0 km/h 13.55 sec.
Top Speed: 410+ km/h (254+ mph) (estimated)
Braking distance: 32m (100-0 km/h)
Lateral G-force: 1.5 G
Fuel consumption: Highway travel: 18 l/100 km (E85 fuel), Combined: 22 l/100km (E85)
Weight-to-power ratio: 1.26 kg/hp
Weight distribution: 45% front, 55% rear
Aerodynamics
Cd. 0,36 Frontal area 1.867 m2
Total Downforce over 250 km/h: 350 kg
Flat underside of chassis. Venturi tunnels at rear of chassis/body
Chassis
Carbon fibre with aluminium honeycomb and integrated fuel tanks for optimal weight distribution and safety. Monocoque torsional rigidity: 58,000 nm/degree. Weight including tanks: 72 kg.
Front and rear suspension: Double wishbones, two-way adjustable VPS gas-hydraulic shock absorbers, pushrod operated. Electronically adjustable ride height.
Front: Cro-Mo subframe, with integrated crash members.
Rear: Semi-stressed engine and gearbox with support struts, for optimal rigidity and no engine inertia movements.
Fully machined aircraft aluminium uprights, with SKF LeMans specification 150mm angle contact ball bearings.
GKN hollow/gun-drilled driveshafts.
Koenigsegg Z-style progressive and lightweight anti-roll bars front and rear.
Engine
Koenigsegg aluminium V8, 4 valves per cylinder, double overhead camshafts
Displacement: 4800 cc
Compression: 9.2:1
Sequential, multipoint fuel injection
Twin Rotrex centrifugal superchargers with response system, 1.6 bar boost pressure
Dry sump lubrication with oil spray piston cooling
Power output: 1018 Bhp at 7000 rpm
Maximum torque: 1080 Nm (796 ft/lb) at 5600 rpm
Carbon fibre intake manifold with optimised intake tracts
Patented response charge system for optimal engine response
Tig-welded ceramic-coated stainless steel exhaust manifold with merge collector
Emission levels: Euro IV
Weight 178 kg
Transmission
Specially developed transversal 6-speed gearbox, with optional paddle-shift
Torque sensitive limited slip differential
Clutch: Dual Plate, Ø 240 mm. (in paddle-shift version without Clutch pedal)
Final ratio: 3,364
1st gear: 2,875
2nd gear: 1,773
3rd gear: 1,267
4th gear: 1,000
5th gear: 0,833
6th gear: 0,711
Reverse gear: 3,000
Steering
Rack and pinion power-assisted steering. 2.7 turns lock-to-lock.
Turning circle: 11 metres. TRW electro-hydraulic power-assisted.
Brakes
Front brakes: Ventilated ceramic discs Ø 380 mm, 34 mm wide. 8-piston light alloy Brembo monoblock calipers. Power-assisted.
Rear brakes: Ventilated ceramic discs Ø 362 mm, 32 mm wide. 6-piston light alloy AP Racing callipers. Power-assisted.
Traction Control
F1-style for optimal performance with 5 different handling modes
Wheels
Koenigsegg forged alloy wheels with centre locking
Front: 19” x 9.5”
Rear: 20” x 12.5”
Tyres
Michelin Pilot Sport 2 (or Cup tires)
Unidirectional with asymmetric tread pattern
Front: 255/35 - 19” (Y)
Rear: 335/30 - 20” (Y)
Body
Two-door, two seater with removable hardtop stowable under the front hood lid. Body made from pre-impregnated carbon fibre/kevlar and lightweight sandwich reinforcements.
Electrical System
Solid state digital semiconductors - no fuses or relays. Can bus operated and fully programmable functionality.
Equipment
Visible carbon body, dual airbags, Edition rear wing, winglets, large front splitter, detachable storable hardtop with glass roof, power windows, adjustable pedals and steering column, adjustable seats in rake and length, carbon ceramic brakes with ABS, hydraulic lifting system, power steering, power brakes, satnav, rear camera, DVD, CD, I-pod connection, sat radio, climate control, digital warning and info system, G sensor, alarm, tyre monitoring system, silver key, leather carpets, roof stowage bag, car cover, forged aluminium wheels, Chrono instrument cluster.
Extra Equipment
Paddle-shift, carbon wheels, fitted luggage, special leather and colour requests, Inconell exhaust system.
Dimensions
Total length: 4293 mm (169”)
Total width: 1996 mm (78.6”)
Total height: 1114 mm (44”)
Ground clearance: 100 mm (3.9”)
Fuel capacity: 70 litres (18.5 US gallons)
Luggage compartment: 120 litres (31.7 US gallons)
Dry weight: 1280 kg (2821 lbs)
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