A Short Koenigsegg History

Press Release

12 years, 3 supercars

2006 - The CCX is launched at Geneva Motor Show on the 28th of February

2005 - The Koenigsegg CCR Breaks The World Record for Production Cars! On February the 28th 2005, at 12.08 local time, the Koenigsegg CCR broke the production road car speed record, achieving a new official top speed of 388 (387.87) km/h at Italy's Nardo Prototipo proving ground. A team of five Koenigsegg engineers and mechanics together with founder Christian von Koenigsegg ran, a technically standard Koenigsegg CCR in order to take the top speed record for productions road cars. The famous supercar test driver, Loris Bicocchi who is a veteran recorder breaker, drove the CCR.

The Koenigsegg CCR raised McLaren's previously unofficial mark of 372 km/h set at Nardo/Prototipo in 1993 with over 15 km/h. On top of this the CCR broke the official McLaren F1 record of 386.7 km/h, which was set on the 9 km straight line VW Ehra facility in Wolfsburg Germany.

A team of Nardo Prototipo technicians independently verified the speed of the CCR. The car was clocked using Tag Heuer's Splitmaster 650 with photocells stationary at the track recording the average speed during I km. Nardo Prototipo is a circular track with a circumference of 12.5 km. This means that the car is driven in a constant turning motion, which makes the exercise and speed even more impressive.The steering wheel at this speed is kept at around 30 degrees of constant angle, which equates to a sharp corner for the speed.

The constant turning motion of the car creates extra friction on the tires. This extra friction overcomes the extra horsepower that was needed for further acceleration. The maximum speed was reached at around 6790 rpm, below the maximum hp level, which is at a higher rpm.

Driver Loris Bicocchi was very impressed by the performance of the car. He feels happy to finally prove the performance of the Koenigsegg. "This test was very important for the customers and owners of Koenigsegg cars. It proves that their belief and faith in the small Koenigsegg Company was well founded"

The official Test Report is issued by Prototipo, acting as a third party for verification and is forwarded to the Guinness Book of Records for processing.The CCR further showed of its performance, during the crucial Sport Auto Supertest in Germany where several records were achieved.

Speed records were set both on Hockenheim and Nurburgring. Outright lap time records demands better weather conditions and are expected to be conducted in 2006.

2004 - All development effort was concentrated on the CCR, the new 806 hp model that was presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The exhibited vibrant orange car was hailed as one of the true gems of the show.The Koenigsegg CCR features several new components which interact to bring its performance up far beyond that of any other supercar.

2003 - Several improvements to both design and performance were implemented on the 2003 model CCBS. Modifications to the suspension system were made in cooperation with Mr. Loris Biccochi, a world renowned testdriver with experience from Lamborghini, Ferrari and Bugatti. Koenigsegg moved into new premises at the FIO Air Force Base at the outskirts of Angelholm. BBC Top Gear names the CC 8S the fastest car they have ever tested. Koenigsegg now holds the Guinness World Record for the most powerful streetcar.

2002 - The first customer Koenigsegg CUS has been assembled and handed over to its proud owner at a ceremony at the Geneva Motor Show in March. This stunning red car is scheduled for an attempt at breaking the world speed record later this year.

2001 - The silver production prototype CUS created a sensation following its presentation at the Paris Motor Show. Articles about it have been published in most of the world's car magazines. It has received several design awards, among them the prestigious German Red Dot award and a prize for excellent Swedish design. The Swedes recently voted the Koenigsegg CC the Car of the Year in the Swedish magazine Automobil. The magazine Car and Driver performed a series of tests on the car and found it beating its competitors on most counts, such as acceleration, lateral G and braking.

2000 - The first preproduction vehicle was assembled and tested during the spring and summer. The deadline was set for September 28th, when the finished product met the jury of the world: the Premiere at the Paris Motor Show. Meanwhile, at the Koenigsegg facility a full-scale production line for manufacturing the cars was being organized.

1998-99 - The Koenigsegg team worked full speed ahead for the specified product model. The car went through fifty-seven different tests in order to comply with international certification regulations. Maintaining a low profile towards the media, all concentration was focused on perfecting the final product.

An ideal new facility near Angelholm was purchased, and the build up of a series production infrastructure was started. Since nearly every key part of the Koenigsegg CC is specially designed and unique, highly qualified composite engineers and CAD/CAM technicians were employed. Modelers with experience from SAAB, Bentley and Bugatti created the final body. A three dimensional measuring system with full CAD/CAM capabilities was set up in the modeling workshop.

1997 - Koenigsegg CC prototype was shown during the Cannes film festival and it was received with great enthusiasm. The satisfactory test results and massive media coverage at Cannes enabled the company to proceed and create a finished product. An entirely new car was brought into the world. Sticking to the basic concept of the prototype, the entire chassis was now made of carbon fiber, and a unique module system was developed so that the car can be configured to every desired setup.

1996 - This was a year of heavy testing on racetracks, roads, and in the Volvo wind tunnel. Among the well renowned racecardrivers to test the prototype were PickoTroberg,Calle Rosenblad and Rickard Rydell. They were all very impressed by its outstanding performance. The concept worked. It was time to present the car to the public.

1995 - Koenigsegg moved into new premises in Olofstr6m, Sweden. The company was then ready to construct the first prototype. The newly assembled Koenigsegg team made an extraordinary effort: in just one and a half years a fully operational prototype vehicle was finished, ready for media promotion and further testing.

1994 - The Koenigsegg project was launched. With a long tradition of building high quality cars and a large number of suppliers to the racing car industry, Sweden offered a suitable breeding ground for the development of a world-class supercar.

The concept forthis supercar was set from the start,a two-seat mid engine construction with a hardtop; all based on state-of-the-art Formula One technology. A network of competent designers and engineers, with connections to both the Swedish car industry and the universities, was tied together.

Christian von Koenigsegg - The man behind the Swedish supercar

Christian von Koenigsegg, born and raised 1972 in Stockholm Sweden, came up with the dream to build his own sports car when he was only five years old. Throughout part of his youth Christian suppressed the urge to build his own car, but in 1994 he finally announced his car project plans. From past employment occupation, however, he had become known as someone who always followed his own beliefs and always completed what he began. Besides this, he was also accurate, technical and very industrious.

Coat of arms - The logotype symbol is a restyled version of the family coat of arms. After various sketches Christian felt satisfied with the symbol to the right.

The von Koenigsegg family coat of arms is colourful & very detailed. It descends from the 16th century.