Koenigsegg Agera RS Is Fastest Production Car With Top Speed of 277.9 MPH
The Koenigsegg Agera RS is now the fastest production car in the world after achieving a top speed of 277.9 miles per hour (mph).
Over the weekend, an 11-mile section of Route 160 between Las Vegas and Pahrump, Nevada was closed off to make way for the Koenigsegg Agera RS' attempt at setting a new top speed record.
The event was a success as the Koenigsegg Agera RS, driven by Niklas Lilja, was able to clock 284.55 mph in one direction and then 271.19 mph in the other. The supercar obtained a two-way average speed of 277.9 mph, effectively beating the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport's 2010 record of 267.855 mph and Hennessey Venom GT's 2014 one-way run of 270.49 mph.
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The Koenigsegg Agera RS was able to accomplish this feat thanks to its 5.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that delivers 1,360 horsepower and 1,011 pound-feet of torque. The powertrain is mated with a seven-speed paddle-shift transmission with auto shift mode.
According to reports, the Koenigsegg Agera RS' recent success makes it eligible for the Guinness World Records, pending confirmation from the organization. However, there is some uncertainty with regard to how long Koenigsegg will be able to hold on to this record.
Just last week, Hennessey unveiled the Venom F5, which aims to attain a top speed of 300 mph. Likewise, the Bugatti Chiron is expected to make a top speed run in 2018.
Nevertheless, the Swedish automaker is looking to break more records in the future.
"I'm not sure what I can tell you," Lilja told TopGear.com about Koenigsegg's plans. "But of course we want to prove it's quicker than anything else in the corners too," the driver added.
Will the Koenigsegg Agera RS take on Nürburgring Nordschleife — one of the most challenging tracks in the world? Car enthusiasts will have to wait for official word from the automaker.
Only 25 examples of the Koenigsegg Agera RS were made, all of which have been purchased.
