Swedes reveal astonishing performance figures

SWEDISH ‘hypercar’ company Koenigsegg has released remarkable full technical specifications for its $3 million Agera R street racer, which was first shown to the world at the recent Geneva motor show.

Built and developed in-house, the company’s twin-turbocharged 5.0-litre V8 engine runs on 1.4-bar of boost to produce 820kW of power at 6900rpm using E85 bio-fuel, but will rev on to 7250rpm before the electronic limiter cuts in.

Using less potent 95-octane petrol, the 32-valve DOHC engine running a 9.00:1 compression ratio still produces “more than 900 horsepower”, which translates to 662kW-plus.

While the ‘standard’ Agera produces more than 1000Nm of torque from 2500rpm, the Agera R produces at least that much all the way from 2700rpm and 6170rpm, peaking at an astonishing 1200Nm at 4100rpm.

That may not be enough to unseat the mighty 883kW/1500Nm Bugatti Veyron Super Sport from the top of the supercar perch, but is enough to launch the Agera R from 0-100km/h in just 2.9 seconds and to 200km/h in 7.5 seconds.

The 0-100km/h time exactly matches Lamborghini’s new all-wheel drive Aventador LP700-4, despite the Italian car carrying an extra 245kg of weight and having a comparatively humble 515kW and 690Nm from its naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 engine.

Left: 'Standard' Koenigsegg Agera.

Koenigsegg claims that no other production engine in the world, regardless of car type, can match the Agera’s power potential combined with its CO2 emissions rating of 310g/km and fuel consumption figure of 14.7L/100km. The company claims it employs groundbreaking technology to meet the most stringent environmental regulations in the world.

Unusually for a modern turbo engine, the Koenigsegg V8 employs an air-to-air intercooler, eliminating the need for water in the intercooling system, which the company says not only saves weight but avoids heat-soak issues during extended high-performance driving.

Petrol is pumped into the engine from an 80-litre tank by no fewer than four “intelligent” fuel pumps.

Koenigsegg’s twin-turbo V8 drives through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission claimed to be a world first for the company as it uses a single input shaft rather than two like other dual-clutch transmissions.

Developed in conjunction with Cima, it uses both a wet clutch and a twin-disc dry clutch on the same shaft, resulting in a transmission that is not only smooth and extremely fast but which weighs less (only 81kg) than a conventional dual-clutch unit.

The company claims its new transmission produces “class-leading shift times” and can be used with paddle shifts or in full auto mode.

Koenigsegg also claims its electronic differential is lighter and faster than other E-diffs, while its traction control system is “the fastest reacting in the industry”.

Stopping power for the Agera R is provided by ventilated ceramic discs, 397mm in front with six-piston callipers and 380mm at the rear with four-pot callipers, which Koenigsegg says will stop the car from 100km/h in 30.5 metres, pulling 1.6g of lateral acceleration.

The forged-aluminium centre-locking rims (19-inch front and 20-inch rears) are shod with specially-made Michelin Supersport gumballs, measuring 265/35 up front and 345/30 at the rear.

Weighing only 1330kg dry (1418kg with all fluids plus half a tank of fuel), the Agera R is 4296mm long, 1998mm wide and 1120mm high. It rides on a 2662mm wheelbase and has track measurements of 1700mm at the front and 1650mm at the rear.

Standard equipment includes dual airbags, detachable storable hardtop with glass roof, power windows, adaptive rear wing, adjustable pedals and steering column, adjustable seats for rake and length, ABS brakes, hydraulic lifting system, power steering, power brakes, sat nav, MP3 player, USB connection, climate control, digital warning and info system, G sensor, alarm, tyre pressure monitoring, leather carpets, roof storage bag, car cover and a sterling silver key.

Options include fitted luggage, special leathers and colours, a full visible carbon body, an inconel exhaust system, front winglets, rear view camera, heated seats, a “winter wheel package” and four-point racing harnesses.