Koenigsegg CCR Goes 388 km/h to Break World Speed Record!

Hailed as the first Swedish supercar, the wedge-shaped CCR is powered by a Ford-sourced, supercharged 4.7-litre V8, which

The wedge-shaped CCR is powered by a Ford-sourced, supercharged 4.7-litre V8, which develops over 800-horsepower in production form. (Photo: Koenigsegg)

develops over 800-horsepower in production form. Compared to the previous record holder, the BMW V12-powered McLaren F1, the CCR was able to up several important records, including the F1's Nardo record of 372 km/h by more than 15 km/h, and the official world record of 386.7 km/h set on the nine kilometre-long straight at Volkswagen's Ehra testing facility in Wolfsburg, Germany.

To put the CCR's feat into perspective, the following list of supercar top speeds should humble the engineers at Ferrari, McLaren-Mercedes-Benz and Lamborghini. The F1, the previous record holder, managed 372 km/h, while Ferrari's now unavailable Enzo achieved a terminal

The company's chairman and president feels that more can be extracted from the CCR. (Photo: Koenigsegg)

velocity of 355 km/h. The gorgeous Carrera GT ties the outrageously styled McLaren Mercedes SLR at 334 km/h, while the Lamborghini Murciélago makes due with 330 km/h.

As if setting the world speed record wasn't enough, the company's chairman and president feels that more can be extracted from the CCR. The Nardo facility is a 12.5 km- long, banked circular track, which means that the vehicle must be driven in a constant turning motion. It's estimated that in order for the car to stay on the track, the steering wheel must be kept at around a 30-degree angle. The friction associated with the turning motion of the car was greater than the additional power needed for further acceleration.