The RS reaches the end of the line, but its history-making speed will never be forgotten
Since the very beginning of his marque, Christian Von Koenigsegg has expressed the opinion that his cars should undergo a Porsche-style evolution, gradually developing and improving with each model until they reach optimal levels of performance and sophistication.
Of course, in the world of hypercars even such a measured outlook results in incremental changes which appear to be warp speed leaps to the rest of the industry.
So it was when the Agera entered production in 2011, with 940hp - 140 more than the CCX it replaced - and a top speed of 250mph. Throughout its production it too has evolved, from the 1,044hp S, to the 1,140hp R, and eventually the RS, it's 5.0-litre twin-turbo V8 producing 1,160hp. Or 1,360hp when running on E85 fuel.
The RS itself was eventually usurped by the 1,360hp One:1, but it remains the standout model from an incredible chapter in Koenigsegg's short history.
Why? Well, it bows out with five separate records, one humongous Nurburgring crash, and thousands of jaws left dropped around the world. For those of you who missed it, the RS was the car responsible for Koenigsegg's incredible 0-400-0kph record last October, as well as the flying kilometre and mile records, whilst also having recorded the fastest speed on a public road - a scarcely believable 284.5mph.
That's all done with now though, the final RS having left the Angelholm production line, and the two final edition cars underway. The company's focus will now turn to production of the hyper hybrid Regera, set to push the boundaries of automotive technology further still. Whatever it achieves, though, will be built upon the foundations laid by the success of the Agera, and the RS in particular.
Why is he short shifting like that? Is he looking after the tyres or something? 180-220 is comical.. got to be faster than most cars can do 0-40!
Maybe to keep intake air temp low for as long as possible, may be wrong but that's the only thing I could think of - still a long time on full throttle, and all power possible would be required
Why is he short shifting like that? Is he looking after the tyres or something? 180-220 is comical.. got to be faster than most cars can do 0-40!
Koenigsegg went to Michelin to find out if the tyres were if to the job... they don’t have tyres that are rated to the speeds expected. Michelin had spent some time working with the figures Koenigsegg had given them when he then said they’d already done a run to 250... so basically Michelin advised that they go easy to 180 rather than nailing it, stressing the tyre from the off.
Why is he short shifting like that? Is he looking after the tyres or something? 180-220 is comical.. got to be faster than most cars can do 0-40!
Koenigsegg went to Michelin to find out if the tyres were if to the job... they don’t have tyres that are rated to the speeds expected. Michelin had spent some time working with the figures Koenigsegg had given them when he then said they’d already done a run to 250... so basically Michelin advised that they go easy to 180 rather than nailing it, stressing the tyre from the off.
Sounds reasonable. But it's really *peak* speed, quote different from the old top speed runs around Nardo with cars sitting at their top speed for a whole tank, just to refuel and go at it again... These Agera speeds are really just for giggles of course, no practical use whatsoever...
One of my best customers is Swedish. He is incredibly precise and totally ruthless in his application of his business ethic. He also manages to be creative, forward thinking and adaptable. It’s interesting to me to see what Koenigsegg have achieved with their programme because it “fits” with what I have learned about the Swedish logic. They’re a formidable people.
