Ice cool Sweden: best known for Ikea furniture, reindeer jerky, super models and sensibly handling wagons. This is definitely the last place you’d expect a bat-out-of-hell supercar to come out of. Well, believe it or not, the speed bug has actually bitten this Nordic nation. It is the proud home to the fastest car currently in production: the Koenigsegg CC.
Unveiled at the 2000 Paris Motorshow, the Koenigsegg CC immediately created industry buzz with its on-paper specifications. With just a 1100-kilogram curb weight, the CC is powered by a mid-longitudinally mounted supercharged 4.6-liter quad-cam V8 with an unearthly 650 bhp and a maximum pulling power of 750 Nm. These figures easily equate to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.59 bhp per kilogram and a 0-100 km/h acceleration figure of 3.20 seconds, reaching the quarter-mile mark in 10 seconds at 217 km/h.
Though the 90-degree V8 engine had ‘humble’ beginnings underneath the Ford Mustang Cobra SVT, Koenigsegg engineers contracted Teksid—the major supplier to the Ferrari Formula One team, to develop a unique light-weight aluminum block and cylinder heads. This was strengthened by combining it with a forged crankshaft developed by the German firm, Gerlach Werke. The use of carbon fiber, titanium and aircraft-specification aluminum made the engine a feat in light-weight terms: it weighs only 240 kilograms.
In addition to developing new engine components, Koenigsegg employed the use of dry-sump lubrication, allowing lower engine frames and thus reducing the car’s center of gravity. Moreover, this allowed the engine to run at high speeds with high levels of safety. They dry-sump system also incorporates a Formula One-style Setrab oil cooler. To guarantee that no overheating problems would overcome the Koenigsegg CC, carbon fiber ducts and end-tanks connected to a larger intercooler was used.
Making the most out of the supercharged V8 is the Koenigsegg CC’s 3-inch stainless steel exhaust system with equal length step tube headers and merged fire-cone collectors with four metal catalytic converters.
Mated to the powerplant is a specially developed 6-speed transaxle manual gearbox by Cima. It incorporates the orbital shift mechanism, a system wherein the gear stick is allowed to be mounted on a ball or socket, giving more counter-balance and light-weight, tactile feedback to the driver compared to the standard gate system. The gearbox itself features its own internal oil pump and oil cooler so that it could take the engine’s brutal force. The final gear ratio is calculated to propel the Koenigsegg CC close to 400 km/h at the engine’s red line of 7,300 rpm.
The chassis is made from autoclaved pre-impregnated carbon fiber, the same technology used in modern Formula One cars. It has a true semi-monocoque self-supporting center unit providing an unbeatable torsional rigidity of 28,100 Nm / degree—a figure unmatched by any manufacturer. Chrome-molybdenum subframes support the front and rear Double Wishbones with Ohlin-brand shock absorbers and other vital car systems. All in all, the entire semi-monocoque weights just 62 kilograms. The rigid chassis and body enables the Koenigsegg CC to corner at a maximum lateral force producing 1.15 G’s.
Providing the Koenigsegg CC with immense and surefooted braking power are specially-designed brakes by AP Racing. Featuring six calipers up front and four at the back, the brakes are made of high-quality aluminum featuring carefully mapped airflow characteristics to effectively cool the wheel bearings. Koenigsegg has quoted the CC’s braking distance from 100 km/h to zero in just 32 meters. The CC has standard Anti-lock Brakes as well as an adjustable brake balance system called KACS that enables the driver to fine tune braking force front and aft.
In the unlikely event of an emergency maneuver or accident, the Koenigsegg CC is prepared. Aside from its standard ABS, it features dual SRS airbags, traction control and even parking sensors—perfect for those infamous Swedish snowstorms.
The body is designed to give the Koenigsegg CC an impression of speed even when standing perfectly still. It almost hugs the ground with its 1,070 mm overall height, though the ride height can be adjustable to a limited degree. It’s just about as wide as a lane of highway with its nearly two meter width (1,990 mm). The 0.30 co-efficient of drag is certainly not class-leading, but is nonetheless impressive in its class.
The Koenigsegg CC is a design tour-de-force. Dubbed by its designers as ‘ichthyomorphic’, it is clean without any unnecessary clutter. The stout and muscular appearance is amplified though thanks to the CC’s spider-like six-piece headlamp cluster all lying inside the enormous wheel arch. From the side, it’s a cross between the Lotus Elise and the Ferrari F50. The CC features a removable and stowable hardtop that can be removing by simply pulling two handles from within. The roof can then be stored in the front luggage compartment, where it fits perfectly. There’s the case of the sporty custom-made magnesium alloy wheels, which have been wind tunnel testing to give the best combination of aerodynamics and airflow to and from the brakes. They’re shod with Goodyear Eagle F1 245/50 ZR 18s at the front and 315/40 ZR18s at the back.
The unique door system is a conversation piece in itself. Dubbed by Koenigsegg engineers as ‘Dihedral Synchro-Door Actuation’, it was designed primarily to be original and flamboyant. It works simply through the use of a geared rotational pivot that works simultaneously with a parallel arm in an outward arc motion. Balanced by gas struts, this unique system allows easy entry and exit, with the ‘flying punch’ motion setting the stage. The doors prove to be practical, requiring only a minimal area of operation allowing the freedom of access even in confined areas.
Despite the company’s commitment to produce a light-weight 400 km/h supercar, the interior is not even close to bare bones level. In fact, it is refined and classy, incorporating the use of leather, aluminum and carbon fiber. The center console flows dynamically and symmetrically along the windscreen. Lying on the center line are futuristic machined aluminum controls and the minimalist gear stick. The focus of the interior is definitely on the circular main control unit featuring stainless steel buttons and multicolor lights and icons. It houses the CC’s GPS tracking and navigation system as well as the stereo with CD player. The seats are made from sheets of carbon fiber that have been lined with Tempur leather and can be adjusted to fit just about any size and shape.
Purchasing one of the 25 cars produced in a year entails details to ensure customer appeal and satisfaction. The CC has fitted luggage, as well as in-house fly-in service for owners in North America, Europe and the Middle East. A GSM satellite uplink is fitted as well, enabling Koenigsegg engineers to monitor the car’s performance from their headquarters. New owners will also receive a three-day high-performance driving instruction complete with safety and technical education.
For the 2002 model year, Koenigsegg introduced some minor changes to the CC’s exterior. The front headlamps have been redesigned, incorporating xenon technology in milled aluminum casings. The lights have been covered to improve the aerodynamics further. The rear hood was slightly reshaped and lowered; giving the CC better streamlined characteristics and reduced drag. The rear spoiler can be eliminated thanks to the front bumper, which incorporates a Le Mans-style built-in wing providing the downforce and greater airflow to the intercooler.
All in all, the Koenigsegg CC presents itself as the THE supercar for the new generation. Though it still is capable of nerve wrecking performance, it is a far cry of the extreme excesses of the 1980’s. Though it may not look or sound as impressive as a Enzo Ferrari, Lamborghini Mucielago or a McLaren F1, like everything that comes from Sweden, the CC presents itself as a very sensible choice in the world of the supercar. That alone reserves the Koenigsegg CC a place in the record books.
By Ulysses Ang | Photos Courtesy of Koenigsegg
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