For manufacturers at auto shows, getting noticed means demanding the public's attention; girls, fancy lights, demonstrations, VIP lounges, concept cars and dynamic displays all clamor for the attentive gaze of the crowd, and for the most part, boisterous exhibits translate into excessive buzz. With the Koenigsegg Agera R, the questions is, how much is too much?
Now regarded as perhaps the most powerful production sports car in the world, the Koenigsegg Agera R is truly a one-of-a-kind sports car. Set to debut at the 2011 Geneva Auto Show, the bi-turbo 5.0L V8 engine features a 0-62 mph time of 2.9 seconds and comes with a 7-speed dual clutch transmission. Even more impressive, at least from a power perspective, is the 1,115 horsepower potential.
So how does the Agera R achieve a horsepower so off the charts?
Ethanol.
Yes, the secret of this ridiculously fast (260 mph) vehicle is the ethanol.
Dating back to 2007, Koenigsegg was the first sports car manufacturer to introduce bio fuels with the CCXR. Now, almost 4 years later, the next generation Agera is using the green technology, but not necessarily for reduced carbon emissions. It is instead to supercharge the horsepower.
Although it is listed as one of the 40 green cars at the show, the flex-fuel Agera R is certainly not intended for the standard green consumer.
In fact, the socially and environmentally conscious consumer would more than likely be outraged by the estimated $1.6 - $2.1 million price tag.
The technology, although excessive, certainly ought to be thought of in a positive light though. Koenigsegg managed to take an otherwise inefficient fuel, compared to gas, and make it efficient.
Flex fuel vehicles (FFVs) "typically get about 25-30% fewer miles per gallon when fueled with E85" than when fuel by gasoline. Although ethanol reduces/limits the emissions of carbon by only releasing carbon that had been absorbed by plants used to create the fuel, it actually has less energy per gallon when compared to regular gas.
Koenigsegg, however, managed to maximize the horsepower output by innovating the fuel and engine management system to maximize the energy output of the bio fuel making it extremely efficient with the E85 mix.
The car, by all measures, is excessive, but the technology still deserves its recognition.
source: taintedgreen
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Can the most impressive car at Geneva Motor Show be considered "green?"
10:03 PM
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