The inaugural Royal Bahrain Concours will celebrate automotive excellence with a truly historic centerpiece: the very first Koenigsegg ever built, Koenigsegg CC prototype. Supported by the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), the event highlights the Kingdom’s growing presence on the global luxury and lifestyle stage, offering an unforgettable experience for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
“If features, design and performance did not only match but in many ways exceed the existing supercars, no one would look twice at a startup car company from Sweden.”
— Christian von Koenigsegg
From Sketch to Supercar
The original CC prototype was the physical realization of Christian von Koenigsegg’s early sketches, transformed into a 1:5 scale model by industrial designer David Crafoord before construction began in 1994. Many of the brand’s now-signature design elements debuted here: the removable hardtop, giving the car both coupe and targa character; the dihedral synchro-helix doors, blending theater with practicality; and a semi-carbon monocoque chassis with integrated chromoly subframes — the foundation for today’s full-carbon structures.
Beneath its striking bronze bodywork lies a hand-built 4.2-liter Audi V8, paired with a six-speed gated manual gearbox. Originally part of a planned partnership with Audi, the collaboration dissolved after Koenigsegg’s ambition to significantly increase the engine’s output exceeded factory limits.
The prototype’s unique metallic bronze hue was, in fact, a happy accident — a painter’s misinterpretation of von Koenigsegg’s request for Volvo’s bright burnt orange, resulting in a color that would become iconic in its own right.
Rediscovery of a Legend
By 2019, the XP 001 prototype had become little more than legend. That changed when Gaurav Dhar, founder of the Numero Uno collection of prototype and first-production cars, began a four-year quest to locate it. After months of research through forums, archives, and industry contacts, Dhar finally traced the car to the Motala Museum in Sweden, where it had been quietly preserved in exceptional condition.
Restoration and Resurrection
Following its acquisition, the prototype underwent careful mechanical recommissioning led by original Koenigsegg engineers from the 1990s. The restoration emphasized mechanical integrity while retaining the original paint and interior, maintaining the car’s authenticity while ensuring full drivability.
A Celebration of Innovation
At the Royal Bahrain Concours, the CC prototype will join 90 of the world’s most extraordinary collector cars, alongside 300 additional vehicles from GCC-based car clubs. The event underscores Bahrain’s commitment to celebrating automotive artistry and engineering heritage.
The two-day programme will open with Prestige Day on Friday, 7 November, showcasing leading cars on the Concours stage, followed by Awards Day on Saturday, 8 November, when class winners and the Best of Show will be announced.
