Koenigsegg to unveil new, ‘extreme’ V8 supercar next year

Koenigsegg isn’t resting easy after claiming the 0-400kph-0 and production car top speed records in a wild 2017. Founder and boss Christian von Koenigsegg tells Top Gear that work is well underway on a new supercar, to replace the Agera.

Christian said: “We have a replacement car coming after the Agera RS. The Regera is, let’s say, the best car we can build for ‘normal road use’. It’s a kind of GT car.

“The replacement for the Agera, Agera RS and One:1 is not a hyper-GT. It’s more race-like. It’s even more capable than the Agera RS.”

Considering whether or not Koenigsegg would pursue more lap and speed records – with either the Agera or the new model – the boss said: “I think both are capable, but the replacement is even more extreme.” Our tiny mind boggles.

When will we see it? “This year we are showcasing [the new car] to our customers in virtual reality,” confirmed Mr Koenigsegg. The car doesn’t yet exist as a model, we’re told. “We will reveal it here [at the Geneva Motor Show] next year,” he added. A whole year to wish away…

So, what of the spec? CvK divulged a few precious details. He confirmed the car won’t use a hybrid system, so as to separate it from the Regera. Instead, it’ll stick with a development of the company’s twin-turbo V8.

“We refining it, making it a little bit lighter, a little bit stronger… the thing with that engine is that there’s seemingly no end to what we can do with it. We polish it out, we open it up, and suddenly we have 20 or 30 more horsepower, and it’s even stronger and more reliable. It’s fascinating how capable the structure is.

“We’re going to raise the bar a little bit,” he continued. “[It’ll do] 8,800rpm, and it’ll be 20kg lighter – all billet [aluminium]. This [car] will be lighter, more track-focused than the Regera.”

Unlike the Regera, the ‘Son of Agera’ won’t use the Direct Drive transmission, and will instead use a (relatively) conventional paddleshift gearbox. However, like all Koenigseggs to date, it will keep its open-top targa-roof bodystyle. “Yes, it’s our signature thing, like our doors. We are two cars in one – and the roof fits in the front,” said Christian.

What about the Regera? That’s selling nicely. Koenigsegg has ramped up production capacity, and will double its factory space in October 2018. Impressively, the waiting time for the 1,500bhp hybrid ‘hyper-GT’ has been slashed from four years to less than two in a mere 12 months. “I’m expecting by the end of the summer to be employing over 200 people”, Christian said.

Yet more good news for the people of Angelholm, Sweden, and their most famous exports…