Question of the Week
One of these three pioneers emerged as an overwhelming victor
Published: 23 Feb 2024
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This Monday, we asked our readers which of Bugatti, Koenigsegg and Pagani sits clear as your favourite purveyor of high-end exotica. You responded in legions, and showed a clear bias for one in particular. Let’s do this in ascending order, shall we?
It’s a non-negotiable fact thatBugatti - the champ of automotive Top Trumps -excels in measurable metrics, but our key takeaway from your lot’s comments suggest they tend to fall short on passion. Obviously that won’t be your initial thoughts if you had a runway and a Chiron Super Sport for company.
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Here’s Antoine Dufresne-Fortin’s explanation: “Bugatti has lost its soul in terms of design - it makes me feel like they’re old people’s hypercars now. Super smooth and luxurious, go fast effortlessly and they’re easy to drive at low speed, but where’s the compromise? Where’s the rawness? Where’s the soul in that? I really feel like it just relies too much on its ‘fastest production car’ titles.”
In the middle of the pack comes the brand which Don Lee correctly describes as “art on wheels”, otherwise known as Pagani. While it can’t quite claim to match Bugatti for specs - with most of its cars limited to a mild 230 to 240mph range - it’s absolutely fair to say Pagani’s design philosophy is unique.
Mr Price commented: “Pagani purely for the drama and aesthetics, because hypercars exist as a collection of numbers and hypotheticals rather than something you can actually utilize in the real world.”
One of our very favourite comments of the week then came from Sideways 720s in support of Horacio’s artisans: “Every time I see the interior of one of its cars, it’s like some mad view into the 1950s idea of 2050. Exquisite craftsmanship and pure unadulterated bedroom poster factor.”
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Pretty tough to argue with that, but somehow most of you found a way to. Yes, Bugatti has the numbers on its side, and Pagani has the X factor, but why limit yourself to one or the other when you can have both? This seems to be the reason Koenigsegg is the winner for this week’s debate. By some distance, too.
Juxtaposed is one of the many who cast their vote for Christian’s shed-turned-factory business, and is just as amazed as we are at the strides his company has made in automotive engineering.
They said: “Every single model has some absolutely insane, never-before-seen innovation that other brands believed was impossible for at least 10 years to come. And that’s despite having nowhere near the resources that the Volkswagen group provides to Bugatti. The DirectDrive transmission, and more recently the Quark and Tiny Friendly Giant powertrain, are absolutely mind-boggling advances.
“And, of course, they then decided to put these innovations into a four-seat hypercar, because why on earth not? Sure, Bugattis are the pinnacle of automotive luxury, and Paganis the pinnacle of craftsmanship, but as a masterpiece of engineering? Koenigsegg all the way.”
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Dean Jackson provided further support by claiming Koenigsegg “takes something we already know and engineers it differently”, while Hari Gopalkrishnan said Koenigsegg “creates innovations that take them a league above the established hypercar elite”.
FAQs
A Bugatti is in a league all its own and after you drive one and get back inside a Lamborghini it feels crude by comparison. There is no finer car. It doesn't matter if it's Pagani or Koenigsegg, they do not come close to the execution and precision of a Bugatti.
Which is better, Pagani or Koenigsegg? ›
Sure, Bugattis are the pinnacle of automotive luxury, and Paganis the pinnacle of craftsmanship, but as a masterpiece of engineering? Koenigsegg all the way.”
Which is more reliable Bugatti or Koenigsegg? ›
Reliability. Koenigsegg vehicles are generally more reliable than Bugatti vehicles. This is due to their simple designs and use of high-quality materials. Koenigsegg also has a good track record when it comes to recalls and customer satisfaction.
Did Koenigsegg beat the Bugatti record? ›
During a test in the Nevada desert, the Koenigsegg Agera RS hypercar produced an average speed of 277.9mph - beating the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport's record of 268mph, set in 2010.
Which car defeats Bugatti? ›
Koenigsegg is known to be a bugatti killer. They are actively producing high speed cars that would defeat the record of the Bugatti cars.
What car can beat a Koenigsegg? ›
SSC Tuatara — 295 MPH
That trial resulted in a 279.2 mph speed on a northbound run, followed by the car reaching 286.1 mph on a southbound pass. Those (certified) results average to 282.9 mph, which is more than enough to notch the SSC Tuatara above the Koenigsegg Agera RS on this list.
Was Pagani rejected by Lamborghini? ›
After gaining experience at Lamborghini, Pagani approached the company with his designs, hoping to collaborate on a project. However, his proposals were rejected, prompting him to pursue his dreams independently.
Why is Koenigsegg so popular? ›
Koenigseggs are known for their incredibly lightweight design, high-powered engines, and exclusive nature. They're much rarer than Ferraris or Lamborghinis, and they're only sold through a few select dealerships around the world.
What car is number 1 reliability? ›
Lexus ranks highest overall in vehicle dependability for a second consecutive year, with a score of 135 PP100. Among premium brands, Porsche (175 PP100) ranks second and BMW (190 PP100) ranks third. Toyota ranks highest in the mass market segment, with a score of 147 PP100.
What is the most reliable car make in the world? ›
The most reliable car brands
- Lexus. Reliability rating 98.3% ...
- Toyota. Reliability rating 97.4% ...
- Mini. Reliability rating 97.2% ...
- Suzuki. Reliability rating 96.9% ...
- Mitsubishi. Reliability rating 96.2% ...
- Honda. Reliability rating 95.9% ...
- Hyundai. Reliability rating 94.3% ...
- Kia. Reliability rating 93.8%
KOENIGSEGG JESKO ABSOLUTE: 300 MPH
The Swedish supercar was born to defy gravity and beat the Bugatti Chiron, and it's the fastest Koenigsegg. With a 5-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, it has 1,600 hp (100 more than the “classic” Jesko).
Which car broke Bugatti record? ›
SSC Didn't Think Bugatti's Top-Speed World Record Was Valid, And Broke it Anyway. SSC founder Jerod Shelby has questions about Bugatti's 304.77-mph top speed claim. His 1750-hp Tuatara just smashed that record with a 316-mph two-way average speed.
Which car is the king of speed? ›
The Lamborghini Aventador LP 780 4 Ultimae stands at the peak of performance and holds the title of the fastest car in India today. It marks the farewell of the Aventador line, making way for a brand-new model in the first half of 2023. If speed is your craving, this raging bull is the perfect choice.
What is the fastest car on Earth? ›
The fastest car in the world is: Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut (330 MPH) That title goes to the Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut, which recorded a staggering 330 mph top speed earlier in 2023.
What car is better than a Bugatti? ›
And if the well-to-do of this world are after top-end performance, then there are other hypercars to consider. The LaFerrari, the McLaren P1 and Porsche 918 spring to mind. And then there's the Koenigsegg Regera with a scarcely believable 1,500bhp.
Is Pagani the fastest car? ›
Pagani Huayra — 238 MPH.
Which is better, Lamborghini or Pagani? ›
Depends on your driving style. Go with the car you like and get the platinum parts for it. I have both but i like the pagani for cornering. The aventador is like a speeding bullet in a straight line.
Which is better Ferrari or Pagani? ›
Pagani is a step above almost all cars produced by Ferrari and Lamborghini. They are typically more exclusive, more expensive, and more performance oriented. Ferraris and Lamborghinis are made to sell to very successful lawyers. Paganis are made for the people that hire very successful lawyers.
