Koenigsegg is gearing up for the launch of the new Jesko hypercar. The 1,578 bhp rival to the Bugatti Chiron SuperSport and Aston Martin Valkyrie will soon enter production, with customer deliveries set for spring 2022.
The Jesko is the first pre-series production car the company has built, and the orange paintwork pays homage to one of Koenigsegg’s early hypercars, the CCR.
Only 125 units of the Jesko and Jesko Absolut will be built. Each will be powered by a 5.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, producing 1,262 bhp with regular gasoline or an astonishing 1,578 bhp with E85 biofuel (provided it is available in your area). The torque also ranges from 1,000 Nm to 1,500 Nm, depending on the fuel used.
The engine sends power to the rear wheels through a completely new nine-speed gearbox, which Koenigsegg has dubbed the “Light Speed Transmission.” As the name suggests, it was designed to be the fastest-shifting gearbox in the world.
It features seven wet, multi-disc clutches and sophisticated software that can anticipate the driver’s intentions and align the best gear for the conditions. With nearly as many clutches as gears, Koenigsegg claims upshifts and downshifts are virtually instantaneous, even if the driver skips gears.
The hypercar is built around a carbon fiber/kevlar monocoque, and to control the immense power, there are adjustable dampers, massive brakes, a three-stage traction control system, and double-wishbone suspension at all four corners.
There’s also an active rear-wheel steering system, which Koenigsegg claims will enhance the Jesko’s agility in both city and track settings. At low speeds, the rear axle counter-steers the front wheels to adjust the hypercar’s turning circle. At higher speeds, both wheels turn in the same direction to improve stability.
Koenigsegg has also employed some aerodynamic wizardry to keep the Jesko glued to the track. The car features a massive front splitter, a unique chassis, and an active two-stage rear wing that can generate 800 kg of aerodynamic downforce at 155 mph or 1,000 kg at 170 mph. Go even faster, and the Jesko will maximize its aerodynamic downforce to 1,400 kg.
Despite being designed for the racetrack, the Jesko has a relatively luxurious interior, with amenities such as temperature control, a wireless smartphone charger, and a nine-inch infotainment screen with features like Apple CarPlay, a G-sensor, and a parking camera.
Buyers can also choose between leather or Alcantara upholstery, and the steering wheel comes with a pair of small touchscreens where the driver’s thumbs rest, allowing control over everything from the stereo and cruise control to the car’s ride height.
Koenigsegg also claims that living with the Jesko will be easier than with any of its previous hypercars. The carbon fiber tub is larger than before, providing more interior space, and the crazy scissor doors, engine cover, and hood are operated hydraulically.
