The Koenigsegg CC850: A Homage to the Past, a Beacon to the Future

Photo of Koenigsegg CC850. (n.d.). Koenigsegg. photograph. Retrieved June 26, 2023, from https://www.koenigsegg.com/model/cc850.

Koenigsegg’s name alone evokes images of unrivalled speed, groundbreaking design, and superior performance. Known for continuously rewriting the rule book of supercars, the Swedish automaker is at it again with its latest masterpiece – the Koenigsegg CC850. This remarkable piece of machinery is a tribute to Koenigsegg’s rich heritage and a bold step into the future of automotive innovation.

In August 2022, the world first saw the CC850 at Pebble Beach, California. It salutes the groundbreaking CC8S, Koenigsegg’s first production car. The CC850 was birthed to honour the 20th year since the CC8S’s debut and to celebrate the 50th birthday of the man behind it all, Christian von Koenigsegg, with only 50 units to emphasize its exclusivity. 

The CC850, though carrying the legacy of the CC8S in its name, is an entirely different beast. It is founded on the principles of the Koenigsegg Jesko and embodies the advancements of the 21st-century automotive industry. 

The car’s suspension is a complex multilink setup, with double wishbones and hydraulic shock absorbers at both ends, supplemented by Triplex dampers at the rear. Under its hood lies a colossal 5,065 cc twin-turbo aluminum DOHC V8 engine, capable of generating a jaw-dropping 1,169 horsepower on regular fuel, which ramps up to 1,366 horsepower when it feasts on E85.

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the CC850 is its Engage Shifter System. This unique feature lets the driver engage in manual shifting with six gears using a physical clutch pedal, a departure from the standard paddle shifters. Christian von Koenigsegg has stated that this could make the CC850 the “fastest manual car around a racetrack.”

The CC850 is not just about power and performance but also beauty. This vehicle is designed with seating for two, and its aerodynamic features are expertly crafted for peak efficiency. 

The car stands on aluminum-cast wheels, with front dimensions of 20″ x 9.5″ and rear dimensions of 21″ x 12.25″, all wrapped up in Michelin’s Pilot Sport 4S rubber. Considering the high speeds the car can reach, it must be equipped with powerful brakes – the front utilizes 410 mm 6-piston callipers, while the rear uses 395 mm 4-piston callipers to ensure adequate stopping power.

Priced at a cool $3,650,000, the Koenigsegg CC850 epitomizes exclusivity and performance. But it’s more than just its cost or technical specifications; the CC850 is a symbol of Koenigsegg’s relentless pursuit of boundary-pushing in automotive design and technology.

In closing, the Koenigsegg CC850 is a harmonious mix of the past and future, a machine that respects its lineage while setting the stage for what’s next in supercar evolution.