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Gautam Sharma17 Apr 2014
NEWS

NEW YORK MOTOR SHOW: Koenigsegg plans entry-level sporty

Swedish hypercar manufacturer says a new $US600-700k model is on the agenda

Koenigsegg will seek to add an entry-level model to its current $US1m-plus line-up of hyper-sportscars.

Speaking exclusively to motoring.com.au at the New York Motor show overnight, company founder, Christian Von Koenigsegg, said he was planning to add a new $US600-700k model to the line-up.

Of course ‘entry-level’ is a relative term... Although he wasn’t forthcoming with any specifics, Koenigsegg said the new model will retain a high degree of exclusivity. Important, given it will still cost almost twice as much as a Lamborghini Aventador.

That said, the new car will be around half the price of the cheapest current Koenigsegg. The company’s line-up currently comprises the $US1.3m Agera (691kW), the $US1.48m Agera S (757kW) and the $US1.6m Agera R, which can run on petrol or biofuel (it pumps out 838kW when filled with the latter).

Koenigsegg’s mega-potent 450km/h One:1 is now sold out -- despite an eye-watering pricetag of $US2.85 million, according to company founder.

As previously reported, the Agera-derived twin-turbo V8 road rocket pumps out 1340hp (985kW), which is tasked with propelling just 1340kg – one kilo per horsepower, and hence the One:1 moniker. The production run of six is now underway.

The Swedish marque turned up at the New York motor show with an Agera R, albeit bedecked with bespoke Aniline leather upholstery, a special black/bronze paint and carbon-fibre trim on the bodywork.

The car is intended to showcase Koenigsegg’s ability to individually tailor its cars according to customers’ tastes. Something that is easily feasible as it only sells about a dozen cars a year globally (this number is allegedly still enough for the company to turn over a profit).

China is the ultra-niche brand’s largest market at present, but it plans to boost its US sales (currently its No2 market) via a New York dealership. Aptly named Manhattan Motorcars, the operation chosen already sells Porsche, Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Spyker, and Bugatti.

As an interesting aside, the Koenigsegg brand recently received some handy free publicity via the crash-and-bash film Need for Speed, in which a trio of Agera Rs featured in a lengthy cameo.

Although these weren’t the genuine article (they were Saleen S7s clothed in Agera R-mimicking bodywork), Von Koenigsegg said the guest appearance in the blockbuster had his blessing.

No money changed hands in either direction for the film appearance, according to Koenigsegg.

Read the latest news from the New York Motor Show

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Written byGautam Sharma
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