Geneva Preshow: New Koenigsegg Agera R gets 1,115 HP and...a Roof Box

Koenigsegg, the Swedish maker of exotic sports cars will bring its newest creation, the Agera R hypercar, along with the final production version of the Agera to this week's Geneva Salon. Building on the design of the 15-year-old CC, the Agera looks unmistakably "Koenigsegg".

The paint scheme of the car that will be displayed in Geneva is inspired by the legendary Speed Racer theme, as specified by the owner of the car. But as impressive as it might be, the design pales in comparison with the technology present beneath the car's carbon fiber skin.

The monocoque chassis weighs only 70 kg and the dry weight of the car is 1,330 kg, which makes it the lightest fully homologated hypercar in production, according to Koenigsegg. That's all the more remarkable given the fact that the 5.0-liter V8 bi-turbo engine is capable of 1,115 horsepower and 1,200 Nm when running on E85 ethanol biofuel (940 hp and 1,100 Nm on regular 95 octane gasoline).

The in-house developed engine tips the scales at 197 kg, complete with flywheel, clutch, dry sump system and Inconel exhaust manifold with turbo.

The Agera is relatively fuel-efficient for a hypercar, with average fuel consumption rated at 14.7 liters/100 km, or 16 mpg US. The engine is mated to a newly developed seven-speed gearbox, which for the first time combines a dual clutch system with a single input shaft gearbox, the result being extremely fast gear changes. Another feature is the new E-Diff that Koenigsegg says it makes the Agera more safe when driving on the limit and offers an improved performance and feel.

Theoretical top speed of the Agera R is 440 km/h (273 mph), but all Agera models are limited to 375 km/h (233 mph). However, for short periods of time, Koenigsegg can unlock the limitation if all necessary conditions are met.

The interior of the Agera has a minimalistic feel to it, but that applies only to the look, not the features. Aluminium, carbon fiber, alcantara and aniline leather combine to offer an exclusive atmosphere, while the infotainment system provides the driver with audio functions, satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity and even car telemetrical data.

The Agera's boot has a volume of over 120 liters, but if that's not enough, Koenigsegg offers a winter package which includes among others a carbon fiber roof box made by Thule. It can be used safely at speeds of up to 300 km/h (186 mph). Koenigsegg has not yet released the price of the Agera R.

By Dan Mihalascu

TECHNICAL DATA

Koenigsegg developed, aluminium/carbon fibre, dry sump, 32 valve, Twin Turbo, V8 engine

Torque: 1,100 – 1,200Nm - depending on version and fuel

Displ: 5,035 L. Bore: 90.7mm. Stroke: 95.25 mm. Compression ratio: 9.0:1. Max rpm: 7250

Power: 940-1,115hp - depending on version and fuel

7-speed, dual clutch, single input shaft, AMT Transmission with E-diff.

Frontal Area: 1.873 m2

CD 0.30(no rear wing) - 0.33 (fixed normal Agera rear wing) - 0.33 to 0.37(adaptable wing)

Luggage space: 120 litres

Dry weight: 1,330 kg

Curb weight 1,418 kg (all fluids plus 50% fuel)

Maximum laden weight: 1,600 kg(full tank, two passengers, full luggage)

Length: 4,296 mm. Width: 1,998 mm. Wheelbase: 2,662 mm. Front Track: 1,700 mm. Rear Track: 1,650 mm. Front overhang: 885mm Rear overhang: 752mm Height: 1,120 mm

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Forbes' Top 10 List of the Most Expensive Cars in the World

For most people a $50,000 car is well out of reach, while others happily spend double or triple of that amount on a ride. However, even those enthusiasts might not be so keen to whip out their checkbooks when confronted with the price tag of these vehicles featured in a special list compiled by Forbes.

These are the most expensive cars in the world, usually bought by the kind of people who don’t even break a sweat amidst the worst economic crisis. Forbes' list in not without its flaws as the publication added two vehicles (the Enzo's successor and the upcoming Pagani Zonda C9) that have yet to be revealed, let alone be priced. Nevertheless, you can check out the complete list of exclusive toys for the real tycoons after the jump.

10. Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe – Price: $447,000

You can’t go wrong with a Rolls-Royce Phantom, but if you really want something special, than opting for the Drophead Coupe is a no brainer. Powered by the same 453-horsepower V12, the open top version with its optional teak deck made of 30 different pieces of fine-grain wood, is in a league of its own, just like the people who can afford it. Even so, it’s the least expensive car in the list.

9. Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SuperVeloce – Price: $455,400

A very different beast compared to the Drophead Coupe, the Lamborghini LP670-4 SuperVeloce is the swan song of the Murcielago series. Boasting a 6.5-liter V12 engine, capable of 670 hp, the four-wheel drive Italian supercar can reach 60 mph (96 km/h) in less than 3.2 seconds. Owner of this beast not only have to be rich, but capable as well, especially if they're going to specify the car with the six-speed manual transmission.

8. Ferrari SA Aperta – Price: $520,000 (estimated)

Showcased at this year’s Paris Auto Show, the SA Aperta (aperta means “open” in Italian) was Ferrari’s way of celebrating the 80th anniversary of Pininfarina. Based on the 599 GTO, the SA Aperta has a removable soft-top roof and features the same 670 hp V12 engine. With a 0-to-60 time of just 3.5 seconds, the sexiest 599 is quite a performer and a rare car, as only 80 will be built.

7. LeBlanc Mirabeau – Price: $728,000

The LeBlanc Mirabeau is a pureblooded Swiss racecar, which happens to be street-legal at the same time. Wealthy playboys aren’t going to be overwhelmed by luxury with this one, as leather and other comfort features cost extra. This machine is all about speed and handling, relying on a supercharged V8 for power, that delivers 700 hp and 850 Nm of torque.

6. SSC Ultimate Aero – Price: $750,000

Considered by many a Bugatti Veyron-killer, the SSC Aero Ultimate can reach a top speed of 273 mph (439 km/h), thanks to its 1,287 hp V8 engine. Unlike the LeBlanc Mirabeau, this beast comes with quite a long standard equipment list. Many body parts are made from carbon fiber, but the lightweight material has been also used in the cabin.

5. Ferrari F70 – Price: $870,000 [Estimated]

For some reason, the fifth place in Forbes' list is taken by a car that may be anticipated but has yet to be introduced or announced; the successor to the Ferrari Enzo. Forbes names the car F70 and says it is expected in 2012 with an estimated price of $870,000 - we have no idea how they came up with this price. The vehicle shown in the picture is Ferrari's Millechili concept.

4. Pagani Zonda C9 – Price: $1.3 million [Estimated]

The Pagani Zonda C9 may not be out yet, but it has been scooped and even teased by the company. Believed to feature a 700 hp engine from Merc's AMG division that won’t be a derivative of the V12 used for the SL65 Black Series, the upcoming Pagani C9 will have gullwing doors and more rounded body panels. Only 40 units will be built, each featuring a high-tech carbon-titanium chassis, almost 4,000 new parts compared to the outgoing Zonda and specially developed Pirelli tires. Forbes estimates that the car will be priced at around $1.3 million.

3. Maybach Landaulet – Price: $1.405 million

Initially presented at the 2008 Detroit Motor Show, the Maybach Landaulet is based on the 62S and it has a soft top that offers rear passengers an unhindered feeling of space. Powered by a twin turbo V12 engine, the Landaulet is a luxury apartment on wheels, complete with refrigerator, folding tables and two champagne flutes in hand-polished 925 sterling silver.

2. Koenigsegg Agera – Price: $1.5 million (estimated)

With a body made out of carbon fiber and aluminum, the 910 hp Koenigsegg Agera can accelerate from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in under 3.1 seconds. It’s a proper supercar and then some, as the Swedes claim it offers the most luggage space in this segment. Not the highest priority when buying a vehicle of this kind, but for one and a half million dollars, it's a welcome plus.

1. Bugatti Veyron Super Sport – Price: $2.6 million

It’s hard to pinpoint the raison d’etre of the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, given that the “stock” Veyron is also ridiculously fast reaching a top speed of 407 km/h (253 mph). True, the Super Sport did reach a Guinness World of Records-certified top speed of 431 km/h or 268 mph, however the car shipped to clients are restricted to 415 km/h (258 mph). So, you have to pay a hefty premium over the less capable Veyrons (the Bugatti 16.4 Grand Sport costs $1.86 million and the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 $1.59 million) for a mere 8 km/h (5 mph) increase in top speed . But in the rich man’s world, prestige is very important, and we’re quite sure that billionaires will happily fork out the dough for the 1,200 horsepower supercar.

Is a car worth that much money? It’s a tough question to answer, but you can voice your opinion in the comments section below, as we’re curious to see which one would you choose.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: Forbes

Top 10 of the Wildest Rides Money can Buy

The economy might still be down, but these are boom times for boutique automakers. Not since the early years of the automobile has the industry seen so many upstarts. And we're not just talking regular sedans or SUVs, but Ferrari-fighting, Aston Martin-smashing supercars. Because their reputations have yet to be established and they have quirky names such as Gumpert, Koenigsegg and Spyker, some might be inclined to dismiss them, but that would be a mistake. Here are 10 of the wildest rides money can buy, from 10 companies that are as obscure as the cars they produce.

a.d. Tramontana

For owners who find that a Bugatti Veyron just isn't getting enough attention, there's the a.d. Tramontana. That "a.d." stands for "advanced design," which is an understatement, considering that it's equipped with a carbon-fiber body, a 720-horsepower Mercedes AMG twin-turbo V12 engine, magnesium alloy wheels and a glass canopy covering the cockpit as on a jet fighter. Buyers can choose a single-seat version or a 2-seater that puts the passenger directly behind the driver. The jet-fighter canopy is optional. Only 12 or so are made per year at the fledgling company's facilities in Catalonia, Spain. The starting price is around $500,000.

Gumpert Apollo

The Gumpert Apollo is as German as a Ferrari is Italian. It's made in Altenburg in central Germany. The Apollo's austere form is very Bauhaus, with a heavily modified Audi V8 engine that puts 650 horsepower to the rear wheels. It's a true race car at heart, with a steel structure that complies with racing regulations. This car is so personalized that the seats are molded right into a carbon-fiber tub that underpins the whole interior, so you can't simply slide or tilt the seat for a good fit. The driving position is tailored to each buyer by adjusting the pedals, steering wheel and seat padding. The price starts at $400,000 and can climb to $750,000 — and beyond.

Iconic AC Roadster

Think of Iconic Motors' AC Roadster as a Shelby Cobra for the 21st century. This 800-horsepower, $350,000 2-seater might look like the 1960s classic, but everything about it is new and designed from scratch — including the push-rod V8 engine, the chrome-alloy and carbon-fiber chassis, the horizontally opposed shock absorbers and the center-locking wheel nuts machined from a single piece of titanium billet. Company founder Claudio Ballard even used his 35 years in the computer industry to reinvent the automotive electrical system, replacing yards of analog wires with space- and energy-efficient, single-cable digital modules.

Koenigsegg Agera

Swedish automaker Koenigsegg has been around for more than a decade, but its outrageous cars might as well be Martians to the average motorist. To car enthusiasts, however, it has become a David to slay Goliaths. The company's latest creation is the Agera, and the 850-horsepower beast's stats are staggering: a zero-to-62-mph time of 3.1 seconds and an estimated top speed of 245 mph. But a number of its subtler features are just as impressive, like "ghost lighting," which uses "invisible nanotubes" to emit light through billet aluminum buttons. Pricing not available.

McLaren MP4-12C

Back in 1993, a car called the McLaren F1 upturned the supercar world with its mind-bending performance and million-dollar price tag. Well, it is poised to do it again. After years of focusing mostly on Formula One racing and a few performance-oriented consumer offerings, McLaren is coming out with a tamer sports car. Unlike its F1 forebear, which is essentially a street-legal race car, the MP4-12C is designed to outperform established British and Italian sports-car makers while offering enough comfort and convenience for everyday driving. Cost of a ticket to ride starts at $250,000.

Morgan Aero SuperSports

British automaker Morgan Motor Co. has long made roadsters the old-fashioned way, with wooden frames (yes, wooden) and classic styling — and it still does. In 2000, Morgan introduced a convertible called the Aero 8, which polarized enthusiasts with its classic yet updated styling. A limited-edition AeroMax coupe followed in 2008. Now comes the Aero SuperSports, which is a blend of its predecessors, with the longer tail of the AeroMax and a removable roof panel for driving al fresco. Like the Aeros before it, the SuperSports, which runs about $200,000, is powered by a BMW V8 engine that offers scintillating performance with robust reliability.

Noble M600

Noble is a small, obscure British company founded by entrepreneur and engineer Lee Noble. Until recently, it offered little more than so-called kit cars, whose steel chassis, fiberglass bodies and Ford-sourced engines had to be purchased piecemeal and assembled, because the cars themselves did not comply with U.S. safety and emissions regulations. They were, nonetheless, capable of humiliating Ferraris and Lambos off the line and in the twisties. Noble's new M600 is a true supercar with an exotic carbon-fiber body and 650-horsepower twin-turbo V8 engine. It does not comply with federal safety regulations, however, so it won't be coming to the U.S.

Pagani Zonda

Argentinian Horacio Pagani started carving wooden models of supercars when he was 12. Now he builds real ones that cost more than $1 million. After managing Lamborghini's composite division and later branching out on his own as a design and engineering consultant, he started Pagani Automobili in 1992 to create his very own Lamborghini fighter, the Zonda. Its jet-plane design motif is evident in the cockpitlike cabin and unique quad exhaust pipes. A hand-built V12 engine from Mercedes' AMG division propels the lightweight 2-seater with turbine levels of thrust.

Spyker C8 Aileron

Before Spyker Cars bought Saab from General Motors in early 2010, relatively few people knew this tiny Dutch automaker even existed. But it has been building sexy supercars powered by Audi engines since 2000. The company's latest car, the C8 Aileron, is an evolution of its predecessors, the C8 Roadster and Laviolette. Like them, its styling pays homage to Spyker's aeronautical heritage, with chrome dials, turned aluminum trim and quilted leather seats that look like they came straight from an old airplane. Its performance, however, is anything but antiquated, with a 400-horsepower V8 that propels it to 62 mph in 4.5 seconds. Prices start at $250,000.

SSC Ultimate Aero

Shelby Supercars (SSC) of West Richland, Wash., seemingly came out of nowhere in 2007 to slap Bugatti in the face. Its Ultimate Aero supercar beat the blueblood brand's million-dollar-plus Veyron to become the fastest production car in the world — a title that Bugatti has since reclaimed with its Veyron Super Sport. Still, the Ultimate Aero sits at the very top of the supercar heap, with a supercharged V8 engine that puts out an astounding 1,287 horsepower that can launch the car from zero to 60 mph in 2.78 seconds, with a top speed of 257.4 mph. Sticker price starts at $650,000.

21yo Saudi Arabian Millionaire Takes Delivery of 33rd Supercar

Actress Bo Derek once quipped, "Whoever said money can't buy happiness simply didn't know where to go shopping." Someone who would most likely agree with her is 21-year-old Dhiaa Al-Essa, a Saudi Arabian Engineering student and millionaire playboy with a collection of over 30 exotic supercars worth more than £4.5 million (US$7.3 million).

Al-Essa has recently taken delivery of his thirty-third exotic, the first Ferrari 599 GTO worth £345,000 (US$557,000). In his own words:

"I've been so excited about the Ferrari 599 GTO – I have had to wait six months for it to arrive. It's a limited edition car with more technology that pretty much any other car in the world – and it's the fastest ever Ferrari. My favourite car used to be the Mercedes McLaren SLR but now it's the 599. It's the best ever, simply amazing – I love it."

His collection includes a £350,000 (US$565,000) Ferrari SA Aperta and a £255,000 (US$411,700) Ferrari F430 Scuderia Spider 16M; both the last of the line. Al-Essa also owns several other Ferraris as well five Porsches, three Lamborghinis, two Rolls-Royces and a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.

This latest acquisition is a stop-gap measure until he receives his 22nd birthday present: a Koenigsegg Agera and a Bugatti Veyron, both worth £1.6 million (US$2.6 million) a piece. Al-Essa concludes:

"I love speed, but the limit in Saudi Arabia is 75 mph (121 km/h) so I'm pretty limited. When the Bugatti arrives I hope to take it to Germany where you can drive as fast as you can on parts of the autobahn."

By Tristan Hankins

Source: Swsn & Metro / Photos: Ferrari

VIDEO: Fiat 500 Races Koenigsegg CCX in Swedish Webhost Ad

Here's a car race with a difference: an automotive remake of the classic Tortoise and the Hare story, starring a Fiat 500 as the tortoise and a Koenigsegg CCX as the hare. Well, not a real 500 and CCX; these are 1:24 scale models, and the whole thing is filmed in stop motion. It was made by Swedish filmmaker and photographer Robin Danehav as an advertisement for Binero, a Swedish webhosting service.

That's why this video is called 'Binero vs. Loopia', with Loopia being Binero's major competitor in what is no doubt a hotly contested segment of the market (well, I guess there are over 9 million potential customers in Sweden).

I think the moral here is...if you want fast webhosting, go for Loopia, but if you want webhosting that really cares and likes Apple products...try Binero? Eh, there must be something lost in translation, I think. Anyways, it's a cute video all the same and very well made.

Check it out and let us know what you think.

By Tristan Hankins

Hat tip to Conrad!

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