Why is the Koenigsegg Agera RS the fastest car in the world?
The Koenigsegg Agera RS claimed a clutch of production car speed records on November 4 2017, including the highest speed recorded on a public road at 284.55 mph (457.94 km/h). While other manufacturers such as Hennessey and Bugatti have disputed the Agera RS’s title, their claims have yet to be officially verified. For now, Koenigsegg’s supercar remains the fastest car in the world today.
How was the world’s fastest car tested?
Full speed tests for the Agera RS had been problematic because Koenigsegg’s track was not big enough. This proved frustrating to one owner in particular. Mark Stidham and a few of his friends arranged for a stretch of Nevada highway to be closed off so that his newly-built vehicle could be put through its paces. In November 2017, Koenigsegg’s team including Niklas Lilja, an in-house factory driver, and Christian Von Koenigsegg – the CEO himself – came to Nevada to make automotive history.
In the desert on Highway 160, the Koenigsegg achieved world speed records for highest top speed for a production vehicle, fastest flying kilometre on a public road, fastest flying mile on a public road and highest speed on a public road.
What makes the Koenigsegg Agera RS faster than other cars?
This car, in some ways a road-legal track car, is built for speed, so every inch and ounce contributed to the record. The colossal 5-litre V8 engine was a good start. Koenigsegg used innovative aerodynamic technology to make the car as efficient as possible; advanced moulding techniques, a responsive back spoiler and single-control front flaps. Every effort was made to reduce the weight of the machine; the chassis, weighing only 70kg, is built from a carbon fibre/aluminium honeycomb, and the shell is composed of carbon fibre and Kevlar.
What was special about the record-breaking car?
Very little was different from any other Agera RS. Mark Stidham’s Koenigsegg was fitted with the 1 MW engine upgrade and a roll-cage. Both of these are optional extras supplied by the manufacturer. The standard tyres offered with the model – Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 – were not changed. Even Niklas Lilja was not originally a professional driver, having begun at the Koenigsegg headquarters as an engineer.
How long will Koenigsegg stay on top?
US manufacturer Hennessey have claimed that their Venom F5 has hit 305mph. If verified by Guinness, this would put them ahead of Koenigsegg. Another contender for the title of world’s fastest car is the Bugatti Chiron. Rumours suggest that it may reach 285 mph once its limiter is removed. Unfortunately for Bugatti, no tyres guaranteed to stand up to the forces involved at such speeds are currently available. It seems like it is only a matter of time before Koenigsegg lose their number one position.
Where can I buy the world’s fastest car?
It isn’t easy to obtain an Agera RS. Koenigsegg is a very small car company and released only 25 individual units. Of those, 10 were already spoken for by the time the car went on sale. Being so rare, the world’s speediest car is not often listed at dealers. In 2015, a model in the UK was selling for £147 million.
