2011 Koenigsegg Agera R

Koenigsegg is aiming to challenge the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport for the title of world’s fastest car with its new 1,115 horsepower Agera R. Unveiled today at the Geneva Auto Show, the mid-engine Agera R offers 205 more horsepower than the standard Agera. Believe us, by most measures the recently introduced Agera is already plenty fast.

Powered by a 910-bhp twin-turbocharged V-8 engine developed and built by Koenigsegg, the standard Agera has a top speed of approximately 245 mph. To better the almighty Bugatti Veyron, the Agera R will need to surpass 268 mph.

Fastest Car in the World

Not long ago, Koenigsegg shocked the automotive world when it nearly purchased Saab from General Motors. Now this small Swedish company is back to doing what it knows best, building extremely quick and expensive exotic cars, and using the new Agera R as its high-performance calling card.

The 1,115-bhp 5.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine sends its power to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Agera R’s electronic differential is said to be lighter (and smarter) than those offered by other automakers. The E-Diff factors in everything from steering angle, yaw angle, speed, rpm, g forces, current gear and even the weather. We’re guessing it might even be able to pick out your favorite color while blasting around a racetrack. Ceramic disc brakes and sport-tuned ABS help bring everything to a quick and drama-free stop.
The Agera R weighs only 3097 lbs, thanks to an ultra-light and rigid carbon-fiber chassis. Given a power-to-weight ratio that betters the Veyron’s, there’s a good chance the Agera R could soon claim the title of world’s fastest production car. As an added bonus, the roof is detachable and can be stowed in the front of the car — Koenigsegg is showing off a roof-mounted Thule ski box on the model shown in Geneva.

About the only thing we don’t like about the Agera R is that we’ll never be able to afford one. You’ll have to pay $214,000 for just the R performance package — that’s more than an entire Aston Martin DB9 Coupe. In total, the Agera R will cost upward of $1 million, making it one of the most expensive cars in the world.