Koenigsegg Agera: 2010 Geneva Auto Show

GENEVA — Perhaps it's a good thing that Christian von Koenigsegg's bid to acquire Saab wasn't successful. Now the Swedish specialty-car builder can focus on what he does best: developing and producing some of the world's finest — and fastest — supercars, like the Agera, being unveiled at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show.

The Agera is named for the Swedish verb that means "to act." (Koenigsegg also claims the name is short for ageratos, an ancient Greek word meaning "ageless.")

The two-door, two-passenger Agera, with its detachable hardtop, appears to be derived from the Koenigsegg CCX, which in turn is an evolution of the original Koenigsegg CC. The company says the Agera is "true to the philosophy, shape and size of the original CC," albeit with new content.

Also borrowed from the CCX is the twin-turbocharged 4.7-liter V8, which delivers 897 horsepower and 811 pound-feet of torque. Koenigsegg says the Agera can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in less than 3.1 seconds, with a top speed of more than 245 mph.

The car rides on specially designed Michelin unidirectional tires with asymmetrical tread patterns — 255/35R19 front and 335/30R20 rear — mounted on Koenigsegg Vortex forged alloy rims. The company has fitted an adjustable ABS system with ventilated and drilled ceramic discs, as well as auto-adjustable traction control.

The Agera's cockpit gets a new carbon-fiber center console and tunnel assembly, but the more intriguing tech highlight is the application of nanotubes that illuminate the controls and bathe the cabin in what Koenigsegg calls "ghost light." Other features include a new multi-information cluster and an upgraded infotainment display.

Inside Line says: Koenigsegg says it will test the Agera prototype for another six months before commencing production in Sweden, where the new model will be built alongside the CCX and CCXR. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent