Koenigsegg CCR Review by Autoweek

[BMWDave]

Koenigsegg CCR
Like A Shot From The North: Koenigsegg Satisfies Marketing Job One
MATT DAVIS
Published Date: 5/16/05
KOENIGSEGG CCR
ON SALE: October
BASE PRICE: $600,000 (est.)
POWERTRAIN: 4.7-liter, 795-hp, 678-lb-ft supercharged V8; rwd, six-speed sequential manual
CURB WEIGHT: 2921 lbs
0 TO 62 MPH: 3.2 seconds (mfr.)

This past Feb. 28 the Koenigsegg CCR?Competition Coupe Racing?officially set the record as the world?s fastest production car with a top speed of 241.0 mph (387.9 km/h) measured over one kilometer. The hallowed McLaren F1 XP5 prototype had held the record since March 31, 1998, at 240.3 mph (386.7 km/h).

Shortly after the Geneva motor show in March we were drawn to a runway at the former base of Sweden?s 1st Fighter Jet Squadron, now home to Koenigsegg, to drive the record-setting CCR. Luckily the new Koenigsegg headquarters north of Malm? in ?ngelholm inherited the jet squadron?s wide 1.2-mile-long landing strip, where you can do anything you want and not hurt or annoy  the tranquil Swedes who live in the area.


Since setting the record, orders for the CCR, which were already healthy at roughly $600,000 apiece, have increased. Annual production, now at 15 cars, will jump to 40 by the end of the year?that?s one car per week when you figure in the abundant holidays of your typical Nordic parliamentary socialist democracy with a sitting royal family.

The increase is due primarily to the successful homologation of the CCR in North America, with deliveries set to begin in late October. There are 30 registered U.S. orders. Order now with a 25 percent deposit and the wait is eight months.

Besides the missing passenger seat, deactivated rev limiter, extensive electronic monitoring equipment, fire-fighting safety systems and full roll cage, this is a stock CCR. The only significant upgrades (also available to customers) are the multi-plate ?cerametallic? racing clutch and six-speed sequential shifter gearbox (no paddles, though this will soon be available).

Customer CCRs define distinctive supercar luxury inside. Koenigsegg trademarks are the circular center command panel and the tall, precision-machined shift lever. The command dial places three lighting switches at the top and up/down window commands to the left and right, and three engine controls along the bottom.



Counting clockwise from top center, buttons No. 5 and No. 6 (?IGN? for the ignition and the electrics symbol, in that order) are pushed at the same time to activate all onboard systems. Then, clutch in, press buttons No. 6 and No. 7 (electrics and engine symbol for the starter) to ignite the 4.7-liter supercharged V8.

The sound through the titanium exhaust system is serious and big. It?s not the roar of the SLR McLaren pipes, nor does it get high-pitched quickly like the Enzo. It runs the gap between those, with the sound opening up above 2500 rpm.

CIMA in Italy makes the sequential six-speed manual gearbox. Redline is 7600 rpm, not too low, and all six gear ratios stretch out nicely with the 3.364:1 final-drive ratio smoothly metering the 678 lb-ft of torque and 795 hp to the rear wheels. Right foot to the floor, shifts at 7000 rpm are seamless. The tall shift lever makes right-hand movements off the steering wheel brief.

Getting going via the sensitive AP Racing cerametallic clutch feels exactly like getting started in the Porsche Carrera GT, and we like it. Launches with ASR off and traction control deactivated are clean and fun.


Production CCR

With a torque-sensitive limited-slip differential, smoking the big SportContact 2 Michelins in a straight line is still mostly easy to do. All software-induced traction limiters were disconnected on the record car, so smoking was permitted and encouraged.

Between the multi-plate racing clutch, sublime sequential six-speed and Koenigsegg/Teksid/Ford SVT V8 engine with two intercooled Rotrex supercharger compressors, driving all day at the limit is hilarious. It?s a shame to keep running out of tarmac.

Speed has been ?found? in the aerodynamics of the CCR. Stability and handling at top speeds and in fast turns are near perfection for such a car. There are 3.94 inches of ground clearance here and the aerodynamic strategy employed?together with the terrific ride provided by the pushrod VPS dampers and Ohlins springs?makes for rock-solid behavior at all times.

Due to new airflow paths designed into the CCR bodywork, particularly behind the cockpit, sheer downforce?and a more pronounced Venturi effect provided fore and aft by new diffusers?means a rear wing is unnecessary. (If you can?t live without, you can get wings added to the rear.)



Traction control on the standard CCR has five different settings that range from winter driving mode to race mode with everything off. What is best about this version of the system is that it works directly through the CCR?s fuel injectors and doesn?t go first via the electronic throttle. This means it is decisive and immediate when it needs to be, but has a high threshold in the sportier modes before kicking in.

The standard cast-iron floating brake discs are some of the best stoppers around. Working with a power assist function, the reel-in rate is out of this world. If you keep loose objects in the cabin, they will end up on the front shelf, attracted to it like one big magnet. SGL ceramic discs are soon to come as an option.

Now, of course, we await the arrival of the Bugatti 16.4 Veyron, which has been a long time in coming. According to the inform?ed, the Veyron will accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 2.7 seconds and can get to 186 mph (300 km/h) in the mid-teens. Acceleration records are not high on the CCR?s list of objectives?3.2 seconds to 62 mph.

Christian von Koenigsegg has selected the path with the biggest effect on high-roller male shoppers: having the fastest, most lovingly built car in the world right in your driveway.



When the time comes, von Koenigsegg wants to take his car to the Bonneville Salt Flats for the seasonal mild, dry conditions that would help the supercharged CCR top 400 km/h (248.5 mph).

We?ve seen the CCR version that?s homo?logated for North America, and it?s even better looking. Besides small cosmetic differences that render the look tighter?think Ferrari F430 vs. 360 Modena?the Koenigsegg gets a slightly higher bumper line, side positioning markers, emissions upgrades that will compromise power and torque by a negligible amount, a luggage compartment light, a luggage compartment emergency handle in case you lock yourself in, more padding for the A-pillars and headliner structures, passenger airbag, seatbelt warning light and a different symbol light for the handbrake.

After a lot of driving, it?s apparent to us Koenigsegg stands way more than a ghost of a chance in this vicious business. Congratulations.

[TBR]

And Gordan Murry (I think that is his name, the previous head of Mclaren, the guy who lead the F1 development team) said this would never happen... :D

This is awesome, a small Swedish operation put down that snobby Brit with a American V8 equipped car. :D.  

[BMWDave]

And Gordan Murry (I think that is his name, the previous head of Mclaren, the guy who lead the F1 development team) said this would never happen... :D

This is awesome, a small Swedish operation put down that snobby Brit with a American V8 equipped car. :D.

 

[Fire It Up]

This cars awesome. But I need to see a CCR, Veyron, F1, S7 showdown.  

[Submariner]

a luggage compartment emergency handle in case you lock yourself in

You cant fit a damn bag in the trunk.  What makes them you could fit in there and lock yourself in?

[BMWDave]

a luggage compartment emergency handle in case you lock yourself in

You cant fit a damn bag in the trunk.  What makes them you could fit in there and lock yourself in?

maybe it means that you lock yourself in the car.

[Fire It Up]

a luggage compartment emergency handle in case you lock yourself in

You cant fit a damn bag in the trunk.  What makes them you could fit in there and lock yourself in?

Maybe a large percent of Koblabla customers are midgets.  :P  

[SJ_GTI]

Hm...if I could afford a supercar it would probably be the Carrera GT, but the CCR would be nice for the exclusivity.

[BMWDave]

Hm...if I could afford a supercar it would probably be the Carrera GT, but the CCR would be nice for the exclusivity.

CGT is my favorite car....period  

[SJ_GTI]

Hm...if I could afford a supercar it would probably be the Carrera GT, but the CCR would be nice for the exclusivity.

CGT is my favorite car....period

Yeah me too.

But I have to admit...when you are laying down this much bread on a car...the Porsche could be considered a little too...plebian...?

[BMWDave]

Hm...if I could afford a supercar it would probably be the Carrera GT, but the CCR would be nice for the exclusivity.

CGT is my favorite car....period

Yeah me too.

But I have to admit...when you are laying down this much bread on a car...the Porsche could be considered a little too...plebian...?

Definitely not!  Look at the stats:

1500 being built (thats very exclusive)

costs 444K (unlike an enzo which costs 1 mil or about 400K over MSRP)

Quality of the materials in outstanding

Engine is a work of art

sexiest car on the planet

plebian?  I dont think so  

[SJ_GTI]

Hm...if I could afford a supercar it would probably be the Carrera GT, but the CCR would be nice for the exclusivity.

CGT is my favorite car....period

Yeah me too.

But I have to admit...when you are laying down this much bread on a car...the Porsche could be considered a little too...plebian...?

Definitely not!  Look at the stats:

1500 being built (thats very exclusive)

costs 444K (unlike an enzo which costs 1 mil or about 400K over MSRP)

Quality of the materials in outstanding

Engine is a work of art

sexiest car on the planet

plebian?  I dont think so

Its all about exclusivity!

1500 CGT's vs up to 40/year CCR's.  :o  

[BMWDave]

Hm...if I could afford a supercar it would probably be the Carrera GT, but the CCR would be nice for the exclusivity.

CGT is my favorite car....period

Yeah me too.

But I have to admit...when you are laying down this much bread on a car...the Porsche could be considered a little too...plebian...?

Definitely not!  Look at the stats:

1500 being built (thats very exclusive)

costs 444K (unlike an enzo which costs 1 mil or about 400K over MSRP)

Quality of the materials in outstanding

Engine is a work of art

sexiest car on the planet

plebian?  I dont think so

Its all about exclusivity!

1500 CGT's vs up to 40/year CCR's.  :o

the CGT doesnt cost 650-700K + it looks better.