Koenigsegg CCX

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Koenigsegg CCX
Koenigsegg CCX
Manufacturer Koenigsegg
Production 2006–present
Predecessor Koenigsegg CCR
Class Sports car
Body style(s) 2-door roadster
Layout Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive
Engine(s) 4.7 L twin-supercharged V8[1]
Transmission(s) 6-speed manual
Wheelbase 2660 mm (104.7 in)
Length 4293 mm (169 in)[1]
Width 1996 mm (78.6 in)[1]
Height 1120 mm (44.1 in)[1]
Curb weight 1180 kg (2601 lb)[1]
Designer Sven-Harry Åkesson

The Koenigsegg CCX is a mid-engined roadster from Swedish car manufacturer Koenigsegg. The CCX has been engineered to comply with the US regulation and market demands[2] and is an evolutionary design that replaced the Koenigsegg CCR.

CCX is an abbreviation for Competition Coupe X; the X commemorating the 10th anniversary, (being the Roman numeral for ten), of the completion and test drive of the first CC vehicle in 1996.[2]

The CCX was first unveiled on February 28, 2006 at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show although its existence was announced earlier.[3][4] The CCX is also available as the CCXR, the difference being that CCXR's engine is tuned to run on biofuel. The different fuel and tune allows the CCXR to produce 25% more power than the CCX.[5]

Contents

[edit] Development

Koenigsegg began the CCX project with the aim of entering the world market, though particularly the United States car market.[6][7] Development engineer Magnus Jaasund said "We wanted to go into the world market, but we couldn’t do it with the old car."[6] To sell cars to the North American market many alterations were made to the design of the CCR; the previously used Ford Modular engine was replaced by a Koenigsegg engine designed to run on 91 octane fuel, readily available in the United States, and to meet the Californian emission standards.[6][8] The front bumper of the CCX is designed to be safer in low speed collisions than previous Koenigseggs and the whole body is 3.46 in (88 millimeters) longer to comply with the United States' rear impact regulations. Additionally the CCX can display United States or European number plates.[8]

The CCX is 41 mm (1.6 in) taller than the CCR and, combined with the carbon fiber reinforced plastic sports seats by Sparco, the CCX allows for 50 mm (2 in) of extra headroom that Autoweek reviewer Mark Vaughn hypothesises is "to accommodate U.S. NBA stars."[8][6] The electronic control unit has also received an upgrade over the CCR meaning that the CCX is without physical fuses and it is lighter than the previous system.[8]

[edit] Specifications

[edit] Performance

The CCX can accelerate from stationary to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.2 seconds and 100 miles per hour (160 km/h) in 7.7 seconds.[1][9] It can complete a standing quarter mile in 9.9 seconds with an end speed of 146 miles per hour (235 km/h). According to Koenigsegg it has a top speed of 395 km/h (245 mph), but it has not officially been tested on a long enough straight to confirm its maximum speed.[1] The CCX has a turning circle of 36 ft 1.1 in (11 meters) and can turn at 1.3 lateral gs (13 m/s²).[10]

[edit] Engine

The engine of a Koenigsegg CCX at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show
The engine of a Koenigsegg CCX at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show

While the previous Koenigseggs were powered by a Ford Modular V8 engine sourced from the U.S., the engine of the CCX was designed by Koenigsegg based on the Ford Modular architecture, and assembled for them by Grainger & Worrall, a British company that produces drivetrain components for Formula One cars.[8][11] The engine is a 4.7 litre (4712 cc, 287 cu in) V8, with dual overhead camshafts and 4 valves per cylinder.[1][8][12] The engine block is made of 356 Aluminium that has undergone a T7 heat treatment, a form of accelerated precipitation strengthening.[8][13] The aluminium alloy is stronger than the previous engine and allows a thinner, thus lighter, engine block that will withstand higher cylinder pressures. The engine is boosted by two centrifugal superchargers that increase the compression to 17.5 psi (120 kPa) with an 8.2:1 compression ratio. The engine produces 806 hp (601 kW) at 6900 rpm and 678 lb·ft (919 N·m) of torque at 5700 rpm on 91 octane (U.S. rating) gasoline.[1][9] The engine is lubricated with a dry sump system with a separate oil pump, the pistons are cooled by oil sprayed onto them and the oil itself has an external cooler.[1] The CCX engine burns 14 mpg–U.S. / 17 mpg–imp (17 Liters per 100 kilometers).[10]

[edit] Exterior

A CCX at the 2006 SEMA car show in Las Vegas
A CCX at the 2006 SEMA car show in Las Vegas

The Koenigsegg CCX is a two-door targa top and the removable roof can be stored under the front trunk meaning that, unlike many of its competitors, it can be changed at any location, not only one where the roof can be safely left.[1][7] The body, made of pre-impregnated carbon fibre and Kevlar, is 4293 mm (169 in) long, 1996 mm (78.6 in) wide and 1120 mm (44.1 in) tall with a ground clearance of 100 mm (3.9 in).[1] As with all previous Koenigseggs the "dihedral synchro-helix" actuation doors rotate forward and upwards similar to scissor doors though the Koenigsegg design avoids the problem of the open door obscuring the passenger's entry or exit.[14]

The car has a frontal area of 1.867 square metres (20.096 sq ft) and a drag coefficient of just 0.3.[1] It also has a flat underside with venturi tunnels at the rear and an optional rear spoiler to improve aerodynamics.[1] Between the 2 speedster humps (humps behind the seats) is a vortex generator used as a ram-air intake that allows higher pressure in the air box without a roof scoop that would increase the frontal area.[8] At 125 mph (200 kilometres per hour) there is 60 kilograms (132 lbf) of downforce over the front axle and 65 kilograms (143 lbf) over the rear.[12]

[edit] Transmission

The CCX has a six speed manual gearbox made for Koenigsegg by Cima with a twin plate clutch of diameter 8.46 in (215 millimeters) as default but a sequential manual transmission option is available. The power is fed to the wheels through a torque sensitive, limited slip differential.[1] The option to select gear ratios is available, but the default ratios of the 2007 CCX are in the table.[6]

Gear 1 2 3 4 5 6 Reverse Final Drive
Ratio[10] 2.875:1 1.652:1 1.125:1 0.865:1 0.711:1 0.604:1 3.000:1 3.545:1

[edit] Wheels and brakes

The standard magnesium-alloy rear wheel of a CCX
The standard magnesium-alloy rear wheel of a CCX

The standard CCX wheels are Koenigsegg's magnesium alloy wheels, though the option to upgrade to carbon/magnesium wheels which each weigh 6.6 lb (3 kg) less than the standard wheels is available.[8] The front wheels have a diameter of 19 in (480 millimeters) and the rear, 20 in (510 millimeters). Each of the wheels is attached by center locking wheel nuts.[1] The car comes with Michelin Pilot Sport 2 unidirectional tires with asymmetric tread. The front tires have codes of 255/35 Y19 and the rear 335/30 Y20.[1]

The front and rear cast iron disc brakes are 14 in (362 millimeters) across with 1.25 in (32 millimeters) of contact at any point and have 6 piston calipers. The brakes can be upgraded to carbon ceramic brakes which weigh 4.4 lb (2 kilograms) less per wheel, a diameter of 15 in (380 millimeters) with 1.34 in (34 millimeters) of contact and eight piston brake calipers.[1][8]

[edit] Top Gear

The Koenigsegg CCX was the fastest car to complete a lap of the BBC Top Gear circuit for 18 months, in a time of 1 minute 17.6 seconds.[15] It originally went around the course in 1:20.4, but was then fitted with a non-standard rear spoiler to provide downforce, after The Stig spun the original version off the track. The Stig purportedly recommended this modification, correctly predicting that the car would then be the fastest ever round Top Gear's track.[16] Koenigsegg themselves state that the improvement was due to adjustments other than the spoiler (eg. changes to the adjustable chassis and suspension settings).[17]

The Koenigsegg CCX was passed by the Caparo T1 on the November 11, 2007 show, but Clarkson took it off the board, saying "You know the rules, James. If a car can't go over a sleeping policeman, it can't go on that board." This refers to Top Gear's rule that any car on the board must be able to go over a normal speed bump, something the Caparo would be unable to do because of its low nose. The Caparo was then taken off, and the Koensigsegg CCX remained the fastest road legal car for the next month until it was beaten by the Ascari A10 with a time of 1:17.3

[edit] CCXR

One of six Koenigsegg CCXR Edition at the 2008 Geneva Motorshow
One of six Koenigsegg CCXR Edition at the 2008 Geneva Motorshow
Rear view of the Koenigsegg CCXR Edition
Rear view of the Koenigsegg CCXR Edition

The Koenigsegg CCXR is an "environmentally-friendly" version CCX powered by essentially the same twin-supercharged V8 engine but converted to use E85 ethanol fuel.[18] The engine tune in the CCXR is more powerful than that of the CCX, putting out 1018 bhp (760 kW) at 7200 rpm and 781.8 ft·lb (1060 N·m) of torque at 6100 rpm, 25% more power than the CCX, also making it the second most powerful production car in the world, behind the SSC Ultimate Aero TT.[19][5] Christian von Koenigsegg said that "Our engineers couldn't quite believe the figures when we tested the car".[20] The increased power is a result of the cooling properties of ethanol in the engine's combustion chambers allowing for a higher pressure in the cylinder and the biofuel having a higher octane rating of 113 RON compared to 95 RON for gasoline in North America and 100 RON for gasoline in Europe, although the CCXR burns slightly more fuel than the CCX with 15 mpg (17L/100km).[18][21] The only changes to the engine are modified fuel injectors, upgraded fuel lines and piston rings and a higher boost setting on the superchargers.[20] Koenigsegg stated that CCX owners will be able to have their cars converted to the same engine specification as the CCXR for approximately US$100,000 (€80,000) extra, although the CCX remains available for purchase as biofuel for the CCXR may not be available in some locations.[18][19][20]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r CCX Technical Specifications. Koenigsegg. Retrieved on 2007-08-31.
  2. ^ a b The new CCX. Koenigsegg. Retrieved on 2007-08-31.
  3. ^ 2006 Geneva Motor Show. Autoweek. Retrieved on 2006-09-07.
  4. ^ Koenigsegg CCX. Fosfor Wheels (2006-02-26). Retrieved on 2007-09-07.
  5. ^ a b Koenigsegg: World's Fastest and Most Fuel Efficient Car?. Business Week (2007-03-06). Retrieved on 2007-09-05.
  6. ^ a b c d e Vaughn, Mark (2006-10-30). 2006 Koenigsegg CCX. Autoweek. Retrieved on 2007-09-06.
  7. ^ a b Nagy, Chris. Koenigsegg CCX. Askmen. Retrieved on 2007-08-31.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Design Elements. Koenigsegg. Retrieved on 2007-09-01.
  9. ^ a b 2006 Koenigsegg CCX. Supercars.net (2006-02-26). Retrieved on 2007-08-31.
  10. ^ a b c CCX Technical Specifications. Koenigsegg. Retrieved on 2007-09-05.
  11. ^ Davis, Matt (August 2006). 2007 Koenigsegg CCX Road Test. Winding Road. Retrieved on 2007-09-06.
  12. ^ a b Kuah, Ian (2006-08-17). Koenigsegg CCX. Piston Heads. Retrieved on 2007-09-07.
  13. ^ Heat Treatable Aluminum Alloys. Key to Metals. Retrieved on 2007-09-03.
  14. ^ "The Doors". Koenigsegg. Retrieved on 2007-09-05.
  15. ^ Top Gear - Power Laps. Retrieved on 2007-10-15.
  16. ^ "Season 8, Episode 2". Top Gear. 2006-05-07. - Jeremy Clarkson: "After the accident, Stig said he reckons this car would be 4 seconds faster than it was if it had a big wing on the back."
  17. ^ Svensson, Gunnar (2006-06-05). Koenigsegg får Top Gear-vinge (Swedish). Bilsport. Retrieved on 2007-03-12.
  18. ^ a b c Grunet, Peter (2007-06-01), “Herbal Essence”, Top Gear Magazine: 138-142 
  19. ^ a b 2007 Koenigsegg CCXR. supercars.net (2007-03-02). Retrieved on 2007-09-05.
  20. ^ a b c Whitworth, Ben (2007-06-03). A green Koenigsegg? Surely some mistake?. Car Magazine. Retrieved on 2007-09-05.
  21. ^ CCXR Technical Specifications. Koenigsegg. Retrieved on 2007-09-05.

[edit] External links

Koenigsegg
Koenigsegg CC · Koenigsegg CCGT · Koenigsegg CC8S · Koenigsegg CCR · Koenigsegg CCX · Koenigsegg CCXR