A Revolution in Swede Speed (Swedes build fastest production car)

BusinessWeek Online ^ | 3/31/06 | Matt Vella

[defenderSD]

Swedish automobiles have long been known as safe and steady, not fast and furious. It's no accident you've never heard the phrase "Swede speed." Right now, you're thinking about boxy, safe Volvo wagons, handy in the snow and adept with the kids and groceries, not high performance roadsters.

Enter Christian von Koenigsegg, a 33-year-old Swede with fast dreams. And he's got a former fighter jet assembly plant to bring them to life. Clocking in at 245 miles per hour, Koenigsegg Automotive broke the world speed record for a production car last year with the Koenigsegg CCR.

Since the first production car rolled off the assembly line in 1996, Koenigsegg has shipped ultrafast autos to the Middle East, Hong Kong, Eastern Europe, Russia, Britain, and Japan. Everywhere, it seems, except to the U.S., because Koenigsegg's cars have not met stringent U.S. safety and emissions standards.

[defenderSD]

I think I need one of those cars so I can get to Laughlin, Nevada from Phoenix in only an hour to bet on football games. Ah, better make that an hour and fifteen...gotta stop for coffee at Starbucks in Prescott, AZ. You know, you have to be really alert when you're driving at 245 mph--not much reaction time for anything.

[Clemenza]

I wonder if it runs on Lutefisk oil.

[defenderSD]

Only $722,534. I think I'll get two...gotta have a backup in case the first one is in the shop.

[Kimmers]

Uff-da

[defenderSD]

I'll bet it runs on only 91-octane gasoline.

[FoxInSocks]

I wonder if it runs on Lutefisk oil.

Ugh.

[Hoosier-Daddy]

Yeah, and has directional tires and uses only synthetic oil. What would be the cost to maintain that?!

[Conservative Firster]

[defenderSD]

I don't know, but the first buyers will probably be guys like Paul Allen, Michael Jordan, and Donald Trump. If you have to ask what this car costs, you can't afford it. I certainly can't afford one, but it would be fun to drive one on a test track for 30 minutes. What does that cost? Maybe $200 in a few years. I'd pay that much.

[Fielding]

I have a lot of respect for the man who did this. To realize a dream is to live life at its fullest.

[defenderSD]

That roof styling has a little batmobile influence...lol.

[JimRed]

What would be the cost to maintain that?!

If you have to ask how much, you can't afford it!

[NaughtiusMaximus]

Can you stop in Flagstaff and pick me up? I like to go over there and bet the games too.

[moonman]

Who makes the engine for this vehicle? Anyone?

[Fielding]

Ford

[mouser]

The first 10 or so will be confiscated for dare cars.

[ran15]

Since the first production car rolled off the assembly line in 1996, Koenigsegg has shipped ultrafast autos to the Middle East, Hong Kong, Eastern Europe, Russia, Britain, and Japan. Everywhere, it seems, except to the U.S., because Koenigsegg's cars have not met stringent U.S. safety and emissions standards.

Ahhh land of the free.

[endthematrix]

All Koenigsegg cars are powered by the DOHC 4v/cyl V8 engine found in the previous-generation Ford Mustang, albeit completely rebuilt from the ground up using new components; the CCRs powerplant measures 4.7 liters in displacement, and is boosted by two small Rotrex superchargers. To meet the outlying goals, the North American-bound CCX features new cylinder heads with larger valves for greater airflow, dual fuel injectors per cylinder, a new camshaft, and a new engine management system with different engine timing.

http://car-reviews.automobile.com/news/swedens-koenigsegg-supercar-headed-for-america/1766/

[endthematrix]

They have adapted it for the US market.

[TChad]

"This car is perfect for those who find Lamborghinis or Ferraris too common, too pedestrian,"

I know, it's only rock & roll, but I like it.