One On One: 2015 Koenigsegg Agera 1

Koenigsegg One:1 (Credit: Koenigsegg)

This is potentially the fastest car of which you have never heard. In the area of performance supercars it is right up there with the Bugatti Veyron and Hennessey Venom, yet most automobile enthusiasts are not aware of its existence. In 1972, at the ripe old age of five, Christian von Koenigsegg saw a movie with his father. It was called the Pinchecliffe Grand Prix and the cars that raced therein arrested the young boy’s heart. Christian decides that he will build cars — and not just any cars — supercars, such as the II Tempo Gigante, which had been so splendidly depicted in the aforementioned movie.

That is approximately where it all began. On August 12, 1994, the young Swedish man of only 22-years fueled by passion, ingenuity, and unbending will, started his own car company. By 1997, a prototype of the famed Koenigsegg CC supercar was unveiled during the Cannes Film Festival to resounding critical acclaim. This young man, with extraordinary taste, incredible tenacity, and uncommon talent began an automotive journey that has culminated with the Koenigsegg Agera 1.

The Agera 1, so named after a line of supercars that bear the name Agera which means “to act” or to “take action” combined with the “1” which denotes a power-to-weight-ratio of one horsepower per kilogram of gross vehicle weight. The Agera 1 is the first homologated production car in the world to generate one megawatt of power, thereby making it the first and only Megacar in existence.

This car features cutting edge aerodynamic and downforce technology that is usually found on competition race cars. Examples include; track optimized aero winglets, extended venturi tunnels and side splitters, a Le-Mans inspired active wing configuration and optimized active under-trim air management. Large air vents for improved cooling, roof air scoop to support the 1 Megawatt of power, 8250 RPM rev limit, complemented with Custom made Michelin Cup Tires, upgraded rear triplex suspension with carbon bevel springs, active shock absorbers, and upgraded revolutionary Koenigsegg Air-core carbon fiber wheels.

Powered by a twin-turbocharged 5.0-liter V8 that produces a whopping 1,341-horsepower and 1,011 lb.-ft. of torque, the Agera 1 is capable of a top speed of 273 mph. Other mechanical features include a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, an electronically controlled differential system, variable geometry turbochargers (virtually eliminate “turbo-lag”), and a free-flowing high-performance titanium exhaust system.

The Agera 1 will be produced in limited quantities (only 6). All of them are currently spoken for and the car will only be available for sale in China, where it was displayed during the Beijing Auto Exhibition, late last month