Everything You Need To Know About The 1,385-HP Koenigsegg CC850 Manual Hypercar

2022-09-24 10:17:04 By : Mr. Potter Li

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Koenigsegg has come full circle with the announcement of the CC850, a sort of retro homage to the manufacturer's beginning.

The Koenigsegg name has been a very important part of the automotive industry in recent years. Although the Swedish megacar manufacturer has been around for close to three decades, it is still relatively young compared to its rivals, such as Ferrari and Lamborghini. Despite its infancy, this David did not shy away from its fight against the Goliaths of the car world.

Since its initial conception in 1994, Koenigsegg and its founder Christian have taken the world by storm with one insane creation after another, innovation after innovation. Best of all, the automaker shows no sign of stopping or slowing down, with planned expansions for the future.

The first real production prototype car to come out of its Margretetorp workshop was the Koenigsegg CC8S in the year 2000, this prototype eventually lead to the actual production CC8S in 2002. Now 20 years later, Koenigsegg has come full circle with the announcement of the CC850, a sort of retro homage to the manufacturer's beginning. Only 50 examples of the vehicles will make it to production, which coincides with Christian's 50th anniversary.

Related: This Is The True Meaning Behind The Koenigsegg Logo

Keep reading to learn everything there is to know about the new megacar from the legendary automaker.

Starting with the heart of the beast, the new Koenigsegg CC850 will feature a 5.0L twin-turbo aluminum V8 with a flat plane crankshaft, double overhead camshafts, and dry sump lubrication. According to the manufacturer, the engine will be able to output 1185 hp at 7800 rpm up to a redline of 8500 rpm, on regular fuel. If you opt for the usage of E85, the power rating will see an increase to 1385 hp and 1020 lb-ft of torque.

Engineered and constructed in-house and similarly to the Koenigsegg Jesko, this engine will not feature a flywheel, allowing it to be responsive and as fast-revving as possible. Just like its older sibling the Koenigsegg ONE:1, the CC850 will achieve a power-to-weight ratio of one to one with 1385hp and a 1385kg weight.

As unbelievable as it may seem, the most important part of the CC850 will not actually be its powerplant, the main course here will actually be its transmission. Without going into the details just yet, the newest Koenigsegg will feature an enthusiast favorite, a manual transmission with a gated shifter.

Making this the most powerful production car equipped with a manually operated shifter but this wouldn't be a Koenigsegg if it didn't try to reinvent the wheel. Coming up with another world-first, the CC850 comes equipped with an Engage Shift System (ESS). The ESS allows for different gear ratios depending on what's needed at the moment.

But wait, there's more. This new transmission will not only allow the driver to operate a clutch and row through six gears by hand, but it can also run as a fast-shifting patented Light Speed Transmission (LST) 9-speed automatic transmission if the mood strikes.

In short, this revolutionary design will allow us to drive the CC850 as a multi-ratio 6-speed or a 9-speed auto at will. Gone will be the age-old debate of manual versus automatic. Once again the Swedish automaker has brought innovation that no one else has thought possible.

Related: Here’s Why Koengisegg’s History Is Unbelievably Fascinating

Looking at the exterior of the Koenigsegg CC850, it is clear that it is an homage to its predecessors, specifically the ancestor of all Koenigseggs, the CC8S. The sleek retro look sitting on the classic telephone-dial-styled rims and the triple taillight are all reminiscent of the automaker's history.

Behind the nostalgic exterior, the CC850 features a state-of-the-art carbon fiber monocoque chassis that provides a torsional rigidity of 65,000 Nm, that's with a removable hard top. The body itself features a mix of carbon fiber and Kevlar providing a light but rigid body. Needless to say, the new addition to the stable will also have the iconic synchrohelix doors.

Moving on to the interior of the CC850 is as expected, the retro feel got carried over quite well. The minimalist interior is also reminiscent of the CC8S, plain, simple, and symmetrical. Nothing is overwhelming, and the focus lies solely on the quality of the craftsmanship, emphasized by the good old fashion analog cluster.

The most striking piece of the interior is non-other than the gated shift, most believed to be a relic of the past and is now revived by Koenigsegg. There is no doubt that every single Koenigsegg is a work of art and at the forefront of technology.

The automaker has never shied away from technological advancement and driving at full force toward the future, but CC850 also shows that they can do heritage just as well as they can do innovation.

James Huang is a writer and automotive enthusiast from Canada. He spends his days learning everything he can about car, down to the smallest details.