Some people live life in search of extreme riches, knowing that they'll never spend that wealth. While money may create greed, it also creates access to power -- horsepower.
There’s nothing like a sweet, powerful supercar to elicit a longing for horsepower. You may travel to Italy for the 660-horsepower Enzo Ferrari or to the U.S. for the 750 horsepower Saleen S7 only to be ashamed that your venture didn't take you to Sweden. There, you would have discovered the penultimate street-legal vehicle, known as Koenigsegg CCX.
Luxury ride
Apart from some minor difficulty pronouncing the name Koenigsegg, it may prove laborious to even identify the work of this small automaker, founded by 22-year-old Christian von Koenigsegg. The young man set out to create a supercar that captured his voice, which said, “In the creative process, only the best will do.” Koenigsegg sold its first five examples of craftsmanship in 2002, and four years later the production numbers remained intimate, totaling only 34 worldwide. The Koenigsegg CCX is the third variant of the growing supercar family, and the manufacturer celebrated its 13th anniversary in 2007.Unlike many of the other exotic vehicles that are overflowing with luxury features, the Koenigsegg CCX is a true-to-form performance car. Utilizing a lightweight carbon-fiber/Kevlar combination, the CCX's body has been perfectly shaped to eliminate any aerodynamic inefficiency. Slightly lower in height than a Lamborghini Murcielago, the Koenigsegg CCX also runs 1.6 inches closer to the ground to assure that the majority of air will flow over instead of under the body. Functional engine air scoops along the CCX's side are contoured to flow naturally with the lines that travel toward the rear of the car. Another sweeping effect occurs with the unique panoramic windshield that wraps around to the opposing B-pillars. While the forward glass surface is robust, the rear window is practically nonexistent. The CCX’s professionally-sculpted body panels, which achieve a razor sharp 0.3 drag coefficient, also deliver a dream-car styling that many of us would drool over.
For anyone unable to admire the exterior styling, they'll have to admit that the Koenigsegg CCX's 4.7-liter, V8 engine is an undeniable beauty. Fed by twin superchargers, forced air awakens the 806 ponies and the 678 lb-ft of torque. This gives the CCX 56 more horsepower than the Saleen S7, and places it in second position behind the 1,001 horsepower Bugatti Veyron. Driving the CCX, you'll hit 60 mph in 3.2 seconds and complete the quarter-mile in 9.9 seconds at a breakneck speed of 146 mph. Those numbers are incredible until you unleash the Koenigsegg CCX down a straightaway, when the vehicle will impress you further as you shift through the six-speed sequential gearbox to attain a top speed of 245 mph. When it comes time to downshift, front-end 8-piston carbon-ceramic Brembo callipered brakes and rear-end 6-piston carbon-ceramic AP Racing callipered brakes will bring you to a stop in 101.7 feet from 62 mph.
After you’ve impressed everyone on the road, you can remove the roof panels to expose yourself to the stares of envious onlookers. Similar to the Saleen S7 and Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, the CCX also features gullwing doors. Once inside, you’ll notice that like the exterior, the interior design receives high-performance inspiration. While low-key focus is maintained on the iPod-ready stereo, sound system and climate controls. Sparco leather seats that capture race-inspired motoring have been specially catered for the CCX and Koenigsegg also insisted on using carbon fiber to dress the interior trim rather than the wood trim that echoes throughout most modern supercars.
The verdict
The Koenigsegg nameplate is relatively new to the exotic scene, but after developing this high-performance supercar, the CCX will definitely catch eyes. Already in its short existence, a soaring list of accolades has been built for the CCX, which includes the fastest lap time ever recorded on the popular European television show Top Gear.Luxury score: 45/50
Practical ride
Koenigsegg supercars weren't available for sale in North America, despite a design with U.S. highway regulations in mind, until a Las Vegas introduction in 2006. In an effort to help the CCX hit the U.S. market, Koenigsegg made revisions to the front and rear impact protection and added side position lights. As well, the 4.7-liter engine was modified to run 91 octane fuels in accordance with California emissions.Now that we’ve breached the fuel subject, the dreaded reality with an 806-horsepower, V8 supercar is the close relationship that you're going to develop with gas stations. The CCX's reported gas-guzzling 8 mpg city and 11 mpg highway will definitely cut into your cruising time. Plus, gasoline is not the only costly fluid for the CCX: running a 12-liter, dry-sump oil system, Koenigsegg suggests 10W60 fully-synthetic racing motor oil, which costs about $39.00 for a 12-quart case. Oil-changes will lead into another lingering problem with the majority of high-end exotic cars. With a limited number of Koenigsegg cars in existence, it would be of little surprise if the list of qualified Koenigsegg mechanics is short.
As could be expected from a supercar, trunk space in the CCX is most unflattering. Consisting of a 4.23 cubic-foot cargo hold in the front, it's amusing to compare that to a 2007 Mini Cooper that offers 5.7 cubic-feet of cargo room. The limited space is decreased further if you place the CCX's removable hardtop into the compartment.
The CCX is an exotic and its performance aspects have made newfound Koenigsegg admirers out of the car enthusiast crowd. At an estimated cost of $695,000, minus options, this car will remind the majority of us that dreaming is certainly a bargain.
The verdict
Two-seat, mid-engine street cars are rarely designed for every-day use. You clearly have money to burn if you can spend the cash needed to drive away in this 806-horsepower supercar.Practical score: 33/50
and the total is...
The character and lavish style of the Koenigsegg CCX demonstrates that Swedish engineers can step beyond building mainly safety-oriented cars. Perhaps in a not so distant future, the Koenigsegg name will be as revered as Ferrari and Lamborghini in supercar circles, but until that time arrives, the Koenigsegg CCX is a power move for anyone wanting to get noticed first.78/100
Resources:
http://autos.aol.com/
http://www.koenigsegg.com/
http://www.caranddriver.com/shortroadtests/12369/2006-koenigsegg-ccx-review-video.html
http://www.edmunds.com/
http://www.topgear.com/content/tgonbbc2/laptimes/thestig
http://newcars.cars.com/standard/stdHeader.asp?language=EN&Acode=USB70MNC011A0
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