The Koenigsegg CCX
The CCX was first unveiled on february 28, 2006 at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show although its existence was announced earlier. A derivative known as the CCXR is available, the main difference being that CCXR's engine is tuned to run on biofuel. The different fuel and tune allows the CCXR to produce 25% more power than the CCX.
Development
Koenigsegg began the CCX project with the aim of entering the world market, though particularly the United States car market. Development engineer Magnus Jaasund said "We wanted to go into the world market, but we couldn’t do it with the old car." To sell cars to the North American market many alterations were made to the design of the CCR; the previously used Ford Modular engine was replaced by a Koenigsegg engine designed to run on 91 octane fuel, readily available in the United States, and to meet the Californian emission standards. The front bumper of the CCX is designed to be safer in low speed collisions than previous Koenigseggs and the whole body is 3.46 in (88 millimeters) longer to comply with the United States' rear impact regulations. Additionally the CCX can display United States or European number plates.
The CCX is 1.6 in (40.6 mm) taller than the CCR and, combined with the carbon fiber reinforced plastic sports seats by Sparco, the CCX allows for 2 in (50.8 mm) of extra headroom that Autoweek reviewer Mark Vaughn hypothesizes is "to accommodate U.S. NBA stars." The electronic control unit has also received an upgrade over the CCR meaning that the CCX is without physical fuses and it is lighter than the previous system.
Specifications
Performance
The CCX can accelerate from 0–62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.2 seconds and from 0–124 mph (200 km/h) in 9.8 seconds. According to Koenigsegg it has a top speed of 259 mph (417 km/h), although this has not been officially verified. On 15 June 2008, a standard fully equipped CCX was independently timed by sport auto in achieving a record 0-186-0 mph (0-300–0 km/h) in 29.2 seconds, beating out the Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR 722 Edition, the Lamborghini Murciélago LP640, the Porsche 997 GT2, the Alpina B6 S (based on the BMW 6 Series), and the Corvette Z06.
Engine
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Exterior
A CCX at the 2006 SEMA car show in Las VegasThe CCX is a two-door targa top and the removable roof can be stored under the front trunk meaning that, unlike many of its competitors, it can be changed at any location, not only one where the roof can be safely left. The body, made of pre-impregnated carbon fiber and Kevlar, is 169 in (4,300mm) long, 78.6 in (2,000mm) wide and 44.1 in (1,120mm) tall with a ground clearance of 3.9 in (99mm). As with all previous Koenigsegg models, the "dihedral synchro-helix" actuation doors rotate forward and upwards similar to scissor doors though the Koenigsegg design avoids the problem of the open door obscuring the passenger's entry or exit.
The CCX has a frontal area of 2,894 sq in (1.867m2) and a drag coefficient of just 0.30. It also has a flat underside with venturi tunnels at the rear and an optional rear spoiler to improve aerodynamics. Between the 2 speedster humps (humps behind the seats) is a vortex generator used as a ram-air intake that allows higher pressure in the air box without a roof scoop that would increase the frontal area. At 124 mph (200km/h) there is 132 lbf (60kilograms) of downforce over the front axle and 143 lbf (65kilograms) over the rear.
Transmission
The CCX has a six speed manual gearbox made for Koenigsegg by Cima with a twin plate clutch of diameter 8.5 inches (220mm) as default but a sequential manual transmission option is available. The power is fed to the wheels through a torque sensitive, limited slip differential. The option to select gear ratios is available, but the default ratios of the 2007 CCX can be seen in the table below.
Gear Ratio
1 2.875:1
2 1.652:1
3 1.125:1
4 0.865:1
5 0.711:1
6 0.604:1
Reverse 3.000:1
Final Drive 3.545:1
Koenigsegg vs Enzo Ferrari
Wheels and brakes
The standard magnesium-alloy rear wheel of a CCXThe standard CCX wheels are Koenigsegg's magnesium alloy wheels, though the option to upgrade to carbon/magnesium wheels which each weigh 6.6 pounds (3.0 kg) less than the standard wheels is available. The front wheels have a diameter of 19 inches (480mm) and the rear, 20 inches (510mm). Each of the wheels is attached by center locking wheel nuts. The car comes with Michelin Pilot Sport 2 unidirectional tires with asymmetric tread. The front tires have codes of 255/35 Y19 and the rear 335/30 Y20.
The front and rear cast iron disc brakes are 14.3 in (360mm) across with 1.3 inches (33mm) of contact at any point and have 6 piston calipers. The brakes can be upgraded to SystemST carbon ceramic brakes which weigh 4.4 pounds (2.0kg) less per wheel, a diameter of 15 in (380mm) with 1.3 in (33mm) of contact and eight piston brake calipers.
Top Gear
In 2007, the CCX was the fastest car to complete a lap of the BBC Top Gear circuit, in a time of 1:17.6 on the Power Lap, until it was beaten by the Ascari A10 with a time of 1:17.3. The car originally lapped the circuit in 1:20.4, but was then fitted with a non-standard rear spoiler to provide downforce after the show's test driver (The Stig) spun the original version off the track. The Stig purportedly recommended this modification, predicting that the car would then be the fastest ever round Top Gear's track but Koenigsegg later stated that the improvement was due to adjustments to the chassis and suspension settings and not the addition of the rear spoiler.
Koenigsegg Top Gear
CCXR
Main article: Koenigsegg CCXR
One of six Koenigsegg CCXR Edition at the 2008 Geneva Motorshow.The CCXR is an "environmentally-friendly" version of the CCX, powered by a modified twin-supercharged V8 engine from the CCX, converted to use E85 or E100 ethanol fuel as well as standard 98 octane petrol. When run on regular petrol, the CCXR develops 806 bhp (601kW), but when the car is run on E85 Biofuel, the CCXR develops 1,018 bhp (759kW). Weight-to-power ratio is 2.76 lb/hp. Torque is 782 ft·lb (1,060 N·m). The CCXR can achieve 62 mph (100km/h) in 2.9 seconds. Christian von Koenigsegg is quoted as saying, "Our engineers couldn't quite believe the figures when we tested the car". The increased power is a result of the cooling properties of ethanol in the engine's combustion chambers allowing for a higher pressure in the cylinder and the biofuel having a higher octane rating of 113 RON compared to 95 RON for gasoline in North America and 100 RON for gasoline in Europe, although the CCXR burns slightly more fuel than the CCX with about 15 mpg (17L/100km). The only changes to the engine are modified fuel injectors, upgraded fuel lines and piston rings and a higher boost setting on the superchargers.
Koenigsegg CCXR Edition
CCGT
Koenigsegg CCGT Manufacturer Koenigsegg
Production 2007
Class GT1
Body style(s) Racecar
Engine(s) 5.0 naturally-aspirated DOHC 32-valve V8
600 hp (441 kW)
Transmission(s) 6-speed sequential
Designer Sven-Harry Åkesson
Wheels and brakes
The standard magnesium-alloy rear wheel of a CCXThe standard CCX wheels are Koenigsegg's magnesium alloy wheels, though the option to upgrade to carbon/magnesium wheels which each weigh 6.6 pounds (3.0 kg) less than the standard wheels is available. The front wheels have a diameter of 19 inches (480mm) and the rear, 20 inches (510mm). Each of the wheels is attached by center locking wheel nuts. The car comes with Michelin Pilot Sport 2 unidirectional tires with asymmetric tread. The front tires have codes of 255/35 Y19 and the rear 335/30 Y20.
The front and rear cast iron disc brakes are 14.3 in (360mm) across with 1.3 inches (33mm) of contact at any point and have 6 piston calipers. The brakes can be upgraded to SystemST carbon ceramic brakes which weigh 4.4 pounds (2.0kg) less per wheel, a diameter of 15 in (380mm) with 1.3 in (33mm) of contact and eight piston brake calipers.
Top Gear
In 2007, the CCX was the fastest car to complete a lap of the BBC Top Gear circuit, in a time of 1:17.6 on the Power Lap, until it was beaten by the Ascari A10 with a time of 1:17.3. The car originally lapped the circuit in 1:20.4, but was then fitted with a non-standard rear spoiler to provide downforce after the show's test driver (The Stig) spun the original version off the track. The Stig purportedly recommended this modification, predicting that the car would then be the fastest ever round Top Gear's track but Koenigsegg later stated that the improvement was due to adjustments to the chassis and suspension settings and not the addition of the rear spoiler.
Koenigsegg Top Gear
CCXR
Main article: Koenigsegg CCXR
One of six Koenigsegg CCXR Edition at the 2008 Geneva Motorshow.The CCXR is an "environmentally-friendly" version of the CCX, powered by a modified twin-supercharged V8 engine from the CCX, converted to use E85 or E100 ethanol fuel as well as standard 98 octane petrol. When run on regular petrol, the CCXR develops 806 bhp (601kW), but when the car is run on E85 Biofuel, the CCXR develops 1,018 bhp (759kW). Weight-to-power ratio is 2.76 lb/hp. Torque is 782 ft·lb (1,060 N·m). The CCXR can achieve 62 mph (100km/h) in 2.9 seconds. Christian von Koenigsegg is quoted as saying, "Our engineers couldn't quite believe the figures when we tested the car". The increased power is a result of the cooling properties of ethanol in the engine's combustion chambers allowing for a higher pressure in the cylinder and the biofuel having a higher octane rating of 113 RON compared to 95 RON for gasoline in North America and 100 RON for gasoline in Europe, although the CCXR burns slightly more fuel than the CCX with about 15 mpg (17L/100km). The only changes to the engine are modified fuel injectors, upgraded fuel lines and piston rings and a higher boost setting on the superchargers.
Koenigsegg CCXR Edition
CCGT
Koenigsegg CCGT Manufacturer Koenigsegg
Production 2007
Class GT1
Body style(s) Racecar
Engine(s) 5.0 naturally-aspirated DOHC 32-valve V8
600 hp (441 kW)
Transmission(s) 6-speed sequential
Designer Sven-Harry Åkesson
The Koenigsegg CCGT is a one-off racing car built by Koenigsegg. Making its début appearance at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show, the CCGT is designed to compete in the grand tourer categories of sportscar racing.
Mechanically, the CCGT is very similar to the CCX. However, the most noticeable difference between the CCGT and the CCX is the engine - in order to meet the regulations for the GT1 class as set by both the ACO and the FIA, the two centrifugal superchargers were removed from the DOHC V8 engine. Its capacity was also increased from 4.7 litres to 5.0 litres to partially compensate for the loss of power resulting from the removal of the two superchargers. The power output is an air restricted 600 horsepower (591bhp).
Through the extensive use of carbon fibre in the car's chassis and bodywork, the CCGT's weight is just 1,000 kg, allowing Koenigsegg's racing teams to use up to 100 kg of ballast freely to make the car meet the 1,100 kg minimum weight requirement for cars in its category.
Koenigsegg have yet to announce when they intend to start running the CCGT in competitive racing.
Edition
In March 2008, two models - The CCX Edition and the CCXR Edition - were launched at the Geneva Motor Show. Both models are fitted with a remapped, 4.8 liter twin-supercharged Koenigsegg engine. The engine tune in the CCXR Edition is more powerful than that of the standard CCX, developing 1,018bhp (759 kW) at 7000rpm and 797ft·lb (1,081N·m) of torque at 5600 rpm. The CCX Edition develops 888 bhp (662kW) at 7000rpm and 679ft·lb (921N·m) of torque at 5800rpm. In total the Edition produces over 772lb (350kg) of downforce at 155mph (249km/h).
The Edition CCXR and CCX are more track oriented compared to the standard models, being equipped with stiffer springs and anti-roll bars, reset dampers and a lowered chassis. The Edition CCXR and the CCX also feature a fully visible carbon body, a large adjustable rear wing, larger front splitter and side strakes and a unique forged wheel design.
The interior is also reworked and features: color matched leather carpets, Koenigsegg Edition side step plates, Edition chronograph instrument cluster, a new Edition only layout for the center console control panels, and features a special version of the Koenigsegg Chronocluster including a redesigned center console. All other extra equipment for the Koenigsegg Edition CCXR and CCX comes as standard: carbon wheels, special interior trim and color, rearview camera, Satnav or Bluetooth, amplifiers, complete Inconell exhaust system.
On March 19, 2009, Koenigesegg announced, via the Cars' UK site, that production of the CCXR Edition will be limited to just four cars, and that of the CCX Edition to only two. This was partly in response to the decline in the world economy, but also because Koenigsegg are now committed to an environmentally responsible future, as demonstrated by the Koenigsegg Quant, which was shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 2009.
Awards and recognition
2009 Best Performing Green Exotic, duPont REGISTRY
One of the 10 Most Beautiful Cars by Forbes Magazine
