Marking 25 years of the upstart Swedish supercar maker, the Koenigsegg Jesko is a 1,600 hp monster. Named for the father of the man who created the brand, the Jesko takes over from the Agera RS as the company's top performing car.
Utilizing a redesigned version of Koenigsegg's flat-plane crank 5.0 L V8, a new compressor and carbon air tank deliver a near-instantaneous 20-bar shot of compressed air into the turbos to pre-spool them, eliminating turbo lag. The car produces 1,280 hp on regular gas and an astounding 1,600 hp when E85 ethanol gas mix is used. Maximum torque is 1,106 lb-ft with at least 738 available from 2,700 rpm all the way up to 6,170 rpm.
Handling all that power is a new nine-speed gearbox unit weighing only 90 kg that the company developed in-house. Koenigsegg says that's a fraction of a conventional box which weighs up to 140 kg. Called the Light Speed Transmission, it dispenses with conventional synchro rings, and unlike a dual-clutch box it can select any gear with exceptional quickness. It uses seven clutches to let it pick any gear, right the heck now. The shifter has a double-notch mechanism. Engage the first notch for a conventional single-gear shift. Use the second notch and it will automatically pick the gear for maximum acceleration.
The carbon chassis is 40 mm longer and 22 mm taller than the Agera, allowing more room for occupants. The automaker says it uses the largest wheel bearings of any road car to provide more responsiveness and feel. It also has Ohlins fully-adjustable dampers with Koenigsegg-developed controllers.
Christian von Koenigsegg says the car should have enough power to top 480 km/h, though not in the high-downforce trim that can generate up to 1,400 kg of downward push. The company is planning on building 125 Jeskos over the next several years.
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