Koenigsegg News

McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

By Edward Jones – January 28, 2016

Koenigsegg Agera R Tests Top Speed Against 918 Spyder on ...

The United States is home to interstates and highways with plenty of speed limits and restrictions. Over in Europe, they have a thing called the Autobahn, where speed limits are rare and supercars can test their top speeds.Today, GTBoard.com uploaded a video of a Koenigsegg Agera R testing its top speed on the Autobahn as it raced against the Porsche 918 Spyder. We don't know how fast the car was going, but a related video from last year was uploaded from the 918's perspective and the description noted speeds of 218 mph.Would you go this fast on the Autobahn? Let us know in the comments below. Porsche 918 Spyder Horsepower: 887 Torque: 944 lb-ft Top Speed: 214 mph (according to Porsche) 0-60 mph: 2.5 seconds Koenigsegg Agera R Horsepower: 1,140 Torque: 885 lb-ft Top Speed: 273 mph (theoretical) 0-62 mph: 2.8 seconds 918 Spyders For Sale (Note: Attempting to reach speeds this high is a dangerous endeavor and should not be attempted unless on a closed course under professional supervision. Do not attempt to recreate anything seen in the video above. The Editors at duPont REGISTRY do not condone illegal activity on the roads. Be safe, and be smart.)

By Edward Jones – December 16, 2015

Koenigsegg One:1 Development Car is for Sale...for $6 Mil...

Only six Koenigsegg One:1 production cars were ever created, not counting the development car #00 (chassis number #7106). This development car was the example the Swedish automaker used to debut the model at the Geneva Motor Show 2014 and has been used to test many technologies.And now, you can own this car, thanks to SuperVettura.Located in Sunningdale, just outside of London, England, this dealership is offering the hypercar up for $6 million USD net. Sure, that's a lot of money, but you'll be getting a 1,420 bhp car that is not only the fastest accelerating production car from 0-186 mph, but also the quickest from 0-186-0 mph. Not enough? It's also the quickest production car around the Spa Fancorchamps and Suzuka circuits.That's a hardy pedigree.SuperVettura says in the description that the car "will be delivered with a extensive factory refresh and will be ready for delivery in January 2016." They also note that it's possibly to have the car delivered to the United States through under the Show and Display regulations.Gallery (Source: SuperVettura)

By Edward Jones – December 04, 2015

Koenigsegg Utagera Concept Designed by 15-Year-Old

At 15-years-old, Jennarong Muengtaweepongsa has created the new Koenigsegg Utagera Concept and unveiled it at the Bangkok Motor Expo. Yes, while most 15-year-olds are worried about learning how to drive a car, he designed one and has already worked with famous car designers.The car, like all Koenigseggs, features a smooth and curvaceous design that is highlighted by the wraparound windshield. He's done a fanastic job taking Koenigsegg's design cues and utilizing them in this brand-new concept.As for power, Jennarong told me in a Facebook message that he would "definitely envision it with a tuned up version of the engine seen in the Agera R. Maybe with a hybrid powertrain similar to the one seen in the Regera."Currently, he's hard at work creating different brand concepts and studying designs of multiple brands. The reason? He said he wants to find his own unique style.What's next for him? He says the next design he'll release is the result of a collaboration with the ToBeUs toy car foundation and an Italian magazine. Be sure to follow him on Facebook and check out his website to learn more.Gallery

By Edward Jones – November 24, 2015

Koenigsegg Responds to Not Being in Hypercar Holy Trinity

Since the Ferrari Laferrari, McLaren P1 and Porsche 918 Spyder have come into the world, you can't talk about one without comparing to the other. In fact, over the last week, we have seen a video of the three being tested by Chris Harris and another that adds the Bugatti Veyron and Pagani Huayra into the mix.While these videos were being released, everyone asked the same question: "Where is Koenigsegg?"The Swedish automaker has replied to this with a lengthy blog post, published on November 20. In the post, they note that the Agera R is "half-a-second faster than the fastest manufacturer-claimed time from the #HolyTrinity cars." That was in 2011, mind you.As for a 0-186 mph run, they claim that the One:1 can do it in 11.922 seconds, that's three seconds faster than any car in the trio of hypercars. They also say the Agera RS will "achieve a figure somewhere between the Agera R and the One:1."And, to make their point even more clear, the blog post announces that the Regera will get to 248.548 mph in under 20 seconds.Needless to say, Koenigsegg has proven their point. But, if the words weren't enough for you, they also made a handy graphic, shown below.What do you think of this debacle? Should the Koenigsegg have been included from the get-go? Or, are they in a league of their own? Let us know in the comments below.(Source: Koenigsegg)

By Edward Jones – November 23, 2015

Koenigsegg CCX Scares Girl in Monaco

Exotics have a way of making their presence known, whether it's the exhaust a monster supercharged truck, or the drifting of an exotic car through snow.One car that showed off its ability to really turn heads was a Koenigsegg CCX driving through Monaco. While making its way towards the famous tunnel in Monaco, it decided to give some pedestrians a show via its twin-supercharged V8 engine. Grand-Est Supercars was on hand to film just how scared the engine made them. You can view it all right below.For those wondering what is behind that massive exhaust note, here is a little bit of info on the supercar. As I previously noted, the Koenigsegg CCX houses a twin-supercharged V8 engine and it's capable of 806 bhp and 693 lb-ft of torque. It can run 0-62 mph in just 3.2 seconds, which is a fantastic number considering the car came out in 2006.Koenigsegg For Sale (Source: YouTube)

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By Caitlin Duffy – November 13, 2015

Koenigsegg Regera Features "Robotized Autoskin"

More and more, automakers are finding ways to make controlling a car's functions easier and more seamless than ever.Most models offer a remote start for cold days, while a few, like Tesla and BMW, provide the ability to open windows, sunroofs and control the temperature within the car from a remote. But for their new hypercar, Koenigsegg wanted to take that remote control a step further, in a way that will keep the car fingerprint-free.With the introduction of a fully robotized Autoskin, Koenigsegg has given Regera owners the ability to open any or all of the car's compartments with just the click of a button. As a press release issued today describes, and a YouTube video demonstrates, this new feature is a practical and beautiful way to control the Regera without needing to touch it.Through a system of lightweight hydraulics, proximity sensors and soft-close mechanisms, which weighs less than 11 pounds in total, the 1,500 hp Regera can be opened or closed as desired. There's even a special option called "Show Mode," which opens both doors, raises the spoiler and pops the hood, all at once.Check out how this new skin works in the video below, then find your own Koenigsegg to enjoy while we wait for the Regera's release.Koenigseggs For Sale (via Koenigsegg, YouTube) See More Koenigsegg News

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By Caitlin Duffy – November 03, 2015

Koenigsegg Teases Agera RS Build Process

Koenigsegg first announced its presence at the Geneva International Motor Show back in March, but not much about this new supercar has been discussed since. However, that changed today.The marque announced on their Facebook page that a full step-by-step documentation will take enthusiasts from the beginning of construction to the delivery of the Agera RS sporting chassis #128. Set to be featured on the Koenigsegg website, the series has yet to have an official start date announced. All we know is that the end will come some time next year.With 1,160 bhp on tap, the Agera RS is an extremely exclusive build from the Swedish automaker, with only 25 examples set for creation. 10 of those were presold, and with quite a few months already lapsing between its unveiling and now, there's little doubt around whether the remaining 15 are still available.Check out the photos that were revealed during the Agera RS' first introduction, as well as the image shared on their Facebook page, and stay with us for updates on this build process as more developments are announced.Koenigseggs For SaleGallery (via Facebook, Koenigsegg) See More Koenigsegg News

By Caitlin Duffy – October 30, 2015

918 Spyder, Veyron & 3 Koenigseggs Tear Down the Autobahn

Sometimes when you're driving down the Autobahn, Germany's highway famous for having certain sections that aren't speed-restricted, you'll see a crazy supercar tearing through the roads.Sometimes you might see two supercars dueling it out on the roadway.(See Also: Best Look Yet at the Bugatti Chiron)But five supercars at once is almost unheard of. To see a Porsche 918 Spyder and Bugatti Veyron Pur Sang next to three Koenigseggs is rare at an auto show, but YouTube channel roadtoys just shared a video of these five flying around each other, showing off their engine notes both on the highway and through a tunneled portion of the road.As the description tells us, Shmee150 was behind the wheel of the white Agera R Speed Racer, while the other two Koenigseggs were an Agera X and CC8S. Check out the video below to see this match up for yourself, then find your own 918, Veyron or Koenigsegg from our exclusive listings.e Koenigseggs For Sale Veyrons For Sale (via YouTube) See More Bugatti News

By Edward Jones – October 13, 2015

1,500 Horsepower Koenigsegg Regera Flies Down Runway

Before I even start, let me just tell you that I don't need any more proof to the know that the Koenigsegg Regera is one of the meanest sounding cars, ever.In a video that YouTuber Bo Bah uploaded Oct. 4, we get one of our first glimpses of the Regera actually in action. So far, we've only seen it starting up and cruising, but this video shows the megacar actually pushing itself a bit down Koenigsegg's private runway-one of the perks of owning your own automobile manufacturer.What you're hearing in the video is a twin-turbo 5.0-liter V8 engine that works in cooperation with three electric motors. This results in over 1,500 hp and 1,475 lb-ft of torque. Koenigsegg claimed in the original press release it is “the king of the road, as the fastest accelerating, most powerful production car ever.”If you don't believe me about how great this car sounds, just take a listen by clicking the play button right below.(Source: YouTube via RoadandTrack.com) Koenigsegg Videos, News and Pics

By Edward Jones – August 13, 2015

Koenigsegg One:1 U.S. Debut and How To Load One

Making its North American debut during Classic Car Week in Monterey, California is the Koenigsegg One:1 megacar. It's made its way to the United States packing 1,360 hp and accolades including the world's fastest 0-300 kmh time and record laps at Suzuka and Francorchamps. Koenigseggs For Sale"Classic Car Week in Monterey is the highlight of the classic and enthusiast motorist's calendar in the United States and it is a pleasure for Koenigsegg to be part of such a prestigious week," said Christian von Koenigsegg, founder and CEO of Koenigsegg Automotive, in a blog post from the automaker August 7. "To be able to present the One:1 at Monterey is extremely satisfying, a great chance to introduce Koenigsegg's pinnacle performance car to the American market."(Related: Ferrari 488 GTB Quick Acceleration and Flamethrower Exhaust)The car in California is one of just six One:1s that will ever be created. What's more, it is actually the last of the six to be made.For those who won't be able to see a One:1 in person in the near future, RobTheCarSpotter has a great video of the car being loaded into its trailer after the 2014 Goodwood Festivals of Speed. That process requires a lot of patience and precision. What's more, imagine that they just flew the One:1 over here to the United States, having to possibly load and unload multiple times. You can check out this video below.Gallery (Source: Koenigsegg, YouTube, Facebook) See More Koenigsegg News, Videos and Pics

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