All you need to know about Koenigsegg
Born: 1994
Nationality: Swedish
With the view to doing something no other Swedish carmaker had done, a group of investors put together a team of designers and engineers in 1994 to build a supercar. They would build around a design brief that was classical: a two-seat mid-engine construction with a hardtop, all based on state-of-the-art Formula 1 technology.
Less than 18 months after the beginning, the first full prototype was ready for testing. The programme used race tracks, roads - and the Volvo wind tunnel with racecar drivers Picko Troberg, Calle Rosenblad and Rickard Rydell at the wheel. Once the car was performing to their satisfaction, it was presented to the public during the 1997 Cannes Film Festival.
The general acceptance of the prototype encouraged the team to work on the first production car, keeping to the basic principles of the first vehicle. A modular system was developed for the components, and the new chassis was entirely produced from carbon fibre.
Some 57 tests had to be completed during 1998-99 to get the car certified as roadworthy. During this time the company kept a low profile and concentrated on perfecting the product.
A brand new factory was established near Ängelholm, and modellers who had worked with some of the best carmakers, including Saab, Bentley and Bugatti, created the final body. The first production prototype was assembled and tested during the summer of 2000.
The true premiere of the Koenigsegg CC 8S took place at the Paris Motor Show in September 2000. Reactions were no less than spectacular, and the first customer got his car at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show. Five more vehicles were built during 2002.
The car's engine is a specially developed semi-stressed supercharged and intercooled Quad Cam 4 valve 4.7 litre V8 engine delivering 655 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 750 Nm of torque at 5,000 rpm. Its very low weight, only 240 kg, has been achieved by using carbon fibre, titanium and airplane-specified aluminium alloy. The 6-speed gearbox, probably the strongest and most reliable transaxle gearbox ever built for a mid-engine car, incorporates an internal oil pump for reliable lubrication, and a large oil cooler. The final gear ratio is calculated to propel the car close to 400 km/h at 7,300 rpm.
Performance figures are 0-100 km/h in under 3.5 sec and top speed is 240 mph. Three days of high performance driving instruction with safety and technical education are included in the purchase of the car. The price in Britain is £345,000. Over here... well if you care about the price, you can't afford it.
Best Car: CC 8S
Worst Car: We're waiting for it.
Weirdest Car: They can't afford to do one, given their tiny output.