Koenigsegg

Search By Model
2016 Current Models
Supercar
Regera
Agera RS	Koenigsegg jesko

Koenigsegg, known by its full name Koenigsegg Automotive AB is a Swedish manufacturer of high-performance hypercars.

History

The company was founded in 1994 by Christian von Koenigsegg with the intention of producing a world-class supercar. Based on Formula One technology, the car was required to be a two-seater, mid-engine layout with a hardtop. First, they intended to get an engine from another manufacturer, but chose to design and build their own in a later date.

Von Koenigsegg got the idea to build his own car after watching the Norwegian puppet movie Pinchcliffe Grand Prix in his youth. However, he took his first steps in the world of business in his early 20s running a trading company called Alpraaz in Stockholm, Sweden. The success of this venture gave von Koenigsegg the necessary financial standing to launch his chosen career as a car manufacturer. A Koenigsegg CC prototype was first publicised in 1997, while the production prototype was finally unveiled at the 2000 Paris Motor Show. The first customer took delivery of a red CC 8S in 2002 at the Geneva Auto Show and four more cars were built that year. Koenigsegg was established in Asia later that year with a premier at the Seoul Auto Show. In 2004, the new CCR was unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show. On February 22, 2003, one of Koenigsegg's production facilities caught fire and burned to the ground. The fire was extinguished with help from 40 firefighters from different fire departments (Ängelholm, Hjärnarp, Strövelstorp, Bjuv and Helsingborg), villagers from Margretetorp, and passers-by. About 15 Koenigsegg cars, body parts, machines and engines were saved before the fire got out of control. The cause of the fire was determined to be a short-circuit in the company kitchen dishwasher, which then spread to the roof, which was insulated with hay. On the same day, the Koenigsegg cars took refuge at the nearby former Swedish Airforce Base F10, near the town of Ängelholm, which lies in the southwestern-most part of Sweden. After a few days, the decision was made by von Koenigsegg that they would stay within the former wing to rise from the ashes. The Koenigsegg badge was designed in 1993 by Jacob Låftman, based on the shield of the Koenigsegg family. The shield has been the family's coat of arms since the 12th century when a family member was knighted by the German-Roman Empire.

2009 Saab Purchase

Saab from ailing parent company General Motors, who had filed for US Chapter 11 Restructuring Bankruptcy a couple of weeks prior, as a result of the 2009 Global Economic Recession. As of June 16, 2009, both parties released a joint memorandum confirming that a tentative agreement has been reached between the two parties, securing the sale of mismanaged subsidiary to a consortium led by the Swedish supercar maker. The purchase will be partly funded by a $600 million commitment from the European Investment Bank (EIB) guaranteed by the Swedish government. As part of the agreement, GM will continue to provide support in the form of providing platform and powertrain technology during a defined, though not yet disclosed, time period.

Future Models

• Koenigsegg jesko

Current Models

• Koenigsegg Regera
• Koenigsegg Agera RS

Discontinued Models

• Koenigsegg CC
• Koenigsegg CC8S
• Koenigsegg CCR
• Koenigsegg CCX
• Koenigsegg Agera
• Koenigsegg Agera R

External Links

• Official Koenigsegg Website
• Koenigsegg Cars UK Koenigsegg News, History and Model Information
• Report: Saab ownership will enable Koenigsegg to bring Quant supercar to reality
• Official: GM and Koenigsegg reach tentative agreement over Saab