After the Bugatti Chiron set the initial 0-400-0km/h acceleration-deceleration record of 41.96 seconds a few weeks back, on the 1st of October 2017, a Koenigsegg Agera RS responded by not just beating it, but by doing so comprehensively. At the Vandel Airfield in Denmark, the Agera RS piloted by Koenigsegg test driver Niklas Lilja accelerated from 0 to 400km/h and slowed to 0 again in a record time of 36.44 seconds, covering 2 441 metres in the process.
The Koenigsegg Agera RS used was more than just a factory test unit too – this particular Agera RS is destined for a US-based buyer, who insisted that he wanted Koenigsegg to verify the car’s performance potential in comparison to other manufacturers. The Agera RS used was equipped with the 1MW engine package that upgrades the engine to match the specifications of the Koenigsegg One:1 – boasting 1 360PS (1 000kW) and 1 371Nm. The car is also equipped with Koenigsegg’s optional and removable roll-cage – something that adds weight, but is a recommended option for buyers who intend on using their ‘Segg on the racetrack.
The original record setting run had been planned for September 20th and October 2nd at the Papenburg test facility in Germany, however a poor weather forecast forced Koenigsegg to reconsider. A window of good weather opened up in Southern Scandinavia, which resulted in the trip to Vandel – 4 hours from the Koenigsegg factory in Angelhom, Sweden. Confirmation for the use of Vandel came through just 12 hours before the car left the factory – hence the delivery tape still on during the record run.
The Vandel Airfield, built during World War II as a base for the Danish Army Air Service, was closed for military purposes in 2003 and repurposed as a solar farm. As such, the surface of the 2 800m long runway’s concrete and tar surface was far from ideal – covered with debris and littered with small potholes. This made acceleration a tricky affair, as well as general straight line stability, with the traction control flickering right up to the end of 3rd gear at 183km/h.
After setting off from a standstill along the 2.8km runway, the Koenigsegg Agera RS reached the 400km/h mark in 26.88 seconds, covering a distance of 1 958 metres. But Lilja didn’t stop there, only hitting the brakes at 403km/h. From 400km/h-0km/h took the Agera RS just 9.56 seconds and a distance of 483 metres. The total 0-403-0km/h run took 37.28 seconds, with telemetry indicating 0-400-0km/h took just 36.44 seconds – 5.52 seconds quicker than the Bugatti Chiron.
With this run, Koenigsegg has displayed that they can indeed run with the big dogs. But with a planned top seed record from the Bugatti Chiron taking place soon, there will be questions as to whether Koenigsegg will indeed challenge that record too – provided they can find a long enough road to test it on.
