Koenigsegg Automotive has been recognised for its consistent growth over recent years.

Sweden’s premier business newspaper, Dagens Industri, honours growing companies every year with their DI Gazelle award (Gasell in Swedish).

Gazelle companies are those that show significant, consistent growth over a prolonged period. The phrase was originally coined by economist Dave Birch in the 1980’s. His generic definition at the time was a company that shows 20% growth in revenues over a period of four years.

Dagens Industri starts with a base size requirement, and then employs a slightly more robust criteria:

– At least doubled its turnover, comparing the first and last fiscal year over the previous four years.
– Increased its turnover every year over the past three years.
– Has a positive overall operating profit for the last four fiscal years.
– Growth must be organic, not through acquisitions or mergers.
– Healthy finances.

Gazelle companies are valued in world economies because of their capacity to generate income and, more importantly, employment. Gazelles need people to build their capacity, where older companies (elephants) are more constantly streamlining or shedding staff and corner stores (mice) are just self-sustaining.

Successful sales of the Agera RS, Regera, and a soon-announced Agera RS replacement have seen Koenigsegg enjoy consistent growth. The company has grown from around 70 people in mid-2015 to nearly 200 today, and its physical footprint in Ängelholm has doubled over the same period.

Christian and Halldora von Koenigsegg attended the award ceremony in Malmö on Monday, November 19th.

The post Koenigsegg Recognised in 2018 Dagens Industri Gazelle Awards appeared first on Koenigsegg.

Koenigsegg has produced the world’s first ever car finished completely in Koenigsegg Naked Carbon – KNC.

KNC involves no lacquer, varnish or alternative coating being used on top of the carbon surface. The thin layer of epoxy that normally covers a high-end autoclaved cured carbon piece is carefully removed by hand polishing. This is an extremely sensitive process; one stroke too many will ruin the visible weave structure underneath the thin epoxy layer.

The end result is a striking new look for carbon fiber. The body of the car becomes cold to the touch as the material is pure carbon, instead of an insulating epoxy or lacquer layer with carbon underneath. The sheen takes on a more metallic graphite appearance as each graphite strand is now fully exposed.

This bold specification – a first for Koenigsegg and as far as we know, a world first – was ordered and specified by our new Swiss dealer, Carage. A Grand Opening for Carage will take place after the Geneva Motor Show in March 2019.

Koenigsegg has been perfecting the KNC method over several years, applying it to parts such as wheels, wings, splitters, winglets and steering wheels, with great effect.

Before deciding to do a whole car, samples were exposed to summer heat and sun, as well as winter wet and cold. Parts were kept outside for several years in order to make sure the elements did not negatively affect the amazing surface.

Carbonfibre parts are finished in one of three different ways at Koenigsegg:

– Exterior panels are sanded and then painted with a colour, a clear coat or a combination of the two.

– Some under-hood carbonfibre parts have their epoxy layer polished, giving an effect similar to clear-coat paint.

– Most under-hood and interior parts have their epoxy layer removed and are then polished to a raw carbon state; a very delicate process involving both sanding and polishing. The margin for error is extremely fine and can result in either a perfect, high-lustre finish or ruined threads of exposed carbonfibre.

This final process is the one used – for the very first time – for the exterior of this KNC Regera.

One interesting upside to KNC is that lacquers are much softer than the exposed carbon. The KNC surface is actually much less sensitive to stone chips and sharp objects causing scratches compared to conventional surface treatments.

The KNC process requires an absolutely perfect production tool producing perfects parts. Imperfect surfaces cannot be smoothed out, adjusted or compensated for on the final body panel. Every panel must, therefore, be perfect before being considered for use on a KNC car.

That the KNC process is even possible is a true testament to the extreme tolerances and quality control inherent in the Koenigsegg production process.

Christian von Koenigsegg, CEO:

“It’s not unusual for a customer to specify their car with visible carbonfibre. It’s a beautiful material from a visual perspective and our customers love to show what the car is made from. KNC takes the idea of visible carbonfibre to a whole new level, revealing a beautiful lustre and a very silky finish.

The Koenigsegg philosophy has always been about exploring extremes. It’s great to extend that idea to a whole new way of finishing and presenting a car.”

As there is no paint or clear lacquer at all on the car and the thin layer of epoxy is polished away, the KNC Regera is actually around 20 kg lighter than a painted Koenigsegg.

The resulting finish is subtle but distinctive. Instead of reflecting the shape of a panel covered in clearcoat, the light plays off each strand of carbonfibre. It’s familiar and yet unlike any Koenigsegg that has come before, and it is a unique method developed by Koenigsegg as a world’s first.

The KNC Regera, recently delivered to its owner in Switzerland, is the first Koenigsegg ever made using this extreme and exciting solution.

All images by Keno Zache Photography, for Carage

The post Koenigsegg Produces First Regera Using KNC – Koenigsegg Naked Carbon appeared first on Koenigsegg.

Would you like to see a Koenigsegg Agera RS doing hot laps around a race track with Koenigsegg test driver, Niklas Lilja behind the wheel?

Would you like BE IN THE CAR?

If you’re in southern California this weekend, this could be your opportunity.

A group of Koenigseggs will be on show AND in action at the Orange County Festival of Speed this weekend and YOU can be in on the action.

OFCOS is both a static and interactive event, held this Saturday and Sunday, the 12th and 13th of January. There will be a huge car display showing all types of motoring – supercars, hypercars, muscle cars, rare imports, and more. As it’s being held at a race circuit – AutoClub Speedway in Fontana, CA – there will also be a full program of events where you can see various cars on the track, including hypercars like the Agera RS and the Regera, among others.

There’s even a Buy a Ride section of the OFCOS website, where you can buy passenger laps in some of the world’s rarest cars. Yes, there’s a chance you could ride in the world record Agera RS with the world record driver behind the wheel!!

The show cars will be on display all day, on both days.

There’ll be an Autocross event running all day, on both days.

Track laps will occur in multiple sessions throughout the day, on both days.

The event is named in tribute to the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Like Goodwood, there’ll be plenty of exotic machinery to look at, whether it be on display or on the track.

Unlike Goodwood, however, you don’t have to sell your firstborn to get in. Admission to the Orange County Festival of Speed starts at just $10 and that gives you access to see the entire event. Various upgrade packages are also available for those who want a bit more. Check out the registration page for full details.

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The Orange County Festival of Speed

Where: AutoClub Speedway in Fontana, Californa.
When: Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th January

Website: Click here.

The Title Sponsors for this event are:

– Koenigsegg Newport Beach
– Laborghini Newport Beach
– Bugatti Newport Beach, and
– McLaren Newport Beach.

The event will raise funds for local charities, with all 2019 profits going to the Special Olympics Southern California.

The post Koenigseggs at the Orange County Festival of Speed appeared first on Koenigsegg.

29 January 2019,
Ängelholm, Sweden

Koenigsegg AB is forming a strategic partnership with NEVS AB, enabling the development of parallel vehicle models in slightly higher volumes with emphasis on electrification, as well as strengthening growth opportunities in the hyper car segment. NEVS is making a capital injection of EUR 150 million, thereby taking a 20 percent minority stake in Koenigsegg’s parent company.

Additionally, the parties are forming a joint venture to expand into new market segments where NEVS AB is contributing USD 150 million in starting capital for a 65 percent stake and Koenigsegg obtains 35 percent by contributing primarily with intellectual property, technology licenses, and product design.

The partnership will deepen an already existing collaboration between Koenigsegg and NEVS, creating synergies between their geographical footprints, experiences and competencies.

Koenigsegg already has a distinguished unique market position for hyper cars, and through the additional joint venture NEVS and Koenigsegg are partnering up to develop a product for new and untapped segments, leveraging both of the companies’ strengths.

Through NEVS production facilities in Trollhättan, Koenigsegg will access additional capabilities as well as benefiting from the extensive automotive knowledge in the region, whilst maintaining their centre of excellence in Ängelholm. Alongside NEVS capacity for production in Trollhättan and China, NEVS through its majority owner Evergrande, has a wide distribution platform and channels through ownership in one of China’s largest car retailers.

“Koenigsegg is breaking new ground, capitalising on our unique technology, performance track record and market position to explore and develop new products. This partnership will create the best conditions for Koenigsegg to accelerate growth in the hyper car market, as well as enabling us to break ground into an untapped market segment together with NEVS. We very much look forward to working together with NEVS to develop products that ensure a sustainable future”, says Christian von Koenigsegg, Founder and CEO of Koenigsegg.

“Koenigsegg is an enticing company developing advanced cars with unique technology and with a customer base that is one of a kind. To be able to expand our investment in the Swedish automotive industry through a company that we know and have an established relationship with, is an important step for us. We have both competencies and facilities to support Koenigsegg on their journey forward, something we look very much forward to”, says Kai Johan Jiang, Chairman of the Board of Directors at NEVS AB.

The post Koenigsegg to embark on evolutionary journey for future growth appeared first on Koenigsegg.

GENEVA – March 5, 2019

Koenigsegg has unveiled an all-new megacar – the Koenigsegg Jesko – at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show. Jesko inherits the mantle left by the Agera RS as the leading track-focused, road-legal car for those looking for the ultimate in vehicle performance.

• Re-designed 5.0 litre twin-turbo V8 engine producing 1280hp on standard gasoline and 1600hp on E85 biofuel
• Revolutionary new 9-speed Koenigsegg Light Speed Transmission (LST)
• Advanced aerodynamics offering over 1000kg of downforce
• Active rear-wheel steering
• Re-designed carbon fibre chassis with more legroom, headroom and greater visibility

Jesko is named for Jesko von Koenigsegg, the father of company Founder and CEO, Christian von Koenigsegg.

Jesko von Koenigsegg was a key presence at Koenigsegg Automotive during its formative years. His considerable business acumen helped steer the company through many early challenges. Now retired and in his 80’s, Jesko von Koenigsegg and his wife, Brita, were on-hand at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show to see his namesake vehicle introduced to the world.

Note: You can read about the new Koenigsegg Jesko in even greater depth on its dedicated page – Koenigsegg Jesko.

A More Powerful Twin-Turbo V8

Jesko is powered by a re-designed twin-turbo V8 engine with a new 180-degree flat-plane crankshaft, new intake, bigger turbos with air injection, and more precise pressure control.

At the heart of this newly designed engine is the world’s lightest production V8 crankshaft. Weighing just 12.5 kilos, Koenigsegg’s new flat-plane 180-degree crankshaft allows Jesko to produce more power with greater efficiency, while achieving a higher 8500rpm rev limit.

The crankshaft is milled by a small manufacturing house in southern Sweden. It is made to Koenigsegg’s in-house design from a single solid billet of high tensile Swedish Dievar steel. The flat-plane design allows even firing across engine banks and an even more visceral engine sound. The tendency of flat-plane engines towards greater vibration is countered by active engine mounts first used in the Regera, as well as newly designed, super-light connecting rods and pistons.

The Koenigsegg-designed air injection system comprises a small compressor and carbon fibre air tank. The patent-pending system provides a powerful 20-bar shot of air strategically located within the turbocharger system in order to pre-spool the turbochargers and provide instant response.

The engine has been re-designed to house a tumble valve on intake and individual pressure sensors for each cylinder in order to achieve real-time, precision monitoring of every cylinder – an industry first. Turbulent air provides a faster burn rate, which leads to more efficient and effective combustion, especially at lower rpm and during cold starts.

The new Koenigsegg V8 produces 1280hp on regular gasoline and an astonishing 1600hp on E85 – an available option in certain markets. Maximum torque increases to 1500 Nm at 5100rpm with 1000+ Nm available anywhere between 2700 to 6170rpm.

Meet Some of the People Who Made Jesko Possible

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Light Speed Transmission (LST)

Jesko’s new Light Speed Transmission – designed in-house at Koenigsegg – is a 9-speed multiclutch unit that does away with traditional synch rings and makes changes between ANY gear possible at near light speed.

Modern DCT’s typically have two clutches – one for even numbered gears and another for uneven numbered gears. One clutch/gear is engaged and driving while the control unit pre-selects what it anticipates is the next gear. This solution allows for fast gearchanges but comes with a significant weight penalty and the limitation of only changing to adjacent gears due to anticipation logic constraints.

The Koenigsegg LST allows the driver to change to the optimal gear for acceleration, regardless of that gear’s relationship to the current gear. We call this system Ultimate Power on Demand.

For example, if you are in 7th gear and 4th gear is the optimal gear for maximum acceleration, the Koenigsegg LST will allow you to shift directly from 7th to 4th at lightning speed, without waiting for synchronisation. In a traditional DCT, a driver would have to shift through 6th and 5th gears before getting into 4th, a loss of precious time and momentum.

Traditional DCTs can weigh up to 140kg. The new Koenigsegg Light Speed Transmission weighs just 90kgs, including wet clutches, flywheel, fluids, starter motor and oil pumps. It also has an optimized, compact design resulting in a much smaller footprint. This ensures the drivetrain’s weight is much more central to the vehicle, allowing more room for the advanced underfloor aerodynamics and the resulting lower yaw inertia for even more agile driving dynamics.

Gearshifts are via either steering wheel paddles or the manual-style shifter located in the traditional central position. Both the paddles and shifter feature a double-notch shifting mechanism. The first notch shifts one gear up or down. Advancing to the second notch engages Ultimate Power on Demand – shifting the car to the optimum gear for maximum acceleration, regardless of that gear’s relationship to the current gear – instantly.

Handling and Steering

At the core of every Koenigsegg is its carbon fibre monocoque chassis. Jesko features a monocoque that is 40mm longer and 22mm taller than its predecessor, allowing for more generous headroom and legroom. Importantly, it still retains every bit of its structural rigidity, measured at 65,000 Nm per degree. This supremely stiff and strong chassis allows Koenigsegg’s engineers to concentrate on tuning the suspension for performance rather than compensating for suboptimal chassis dynamics.

Koenigsegg’s F1-style elongated wishbones are retained and improved. These combine with the largest wheel bearings used in a road car today to provide the ultimate in responsiveness and feel. Fully adjustable damping from Öhlins is tuned using bespoke electrics and controllers designed in-house at Koenigsegg.

Jesko redefines ‘precision’ thanks to an additional active Triplex damper added to the front suspension and a new rear-wheel steering system. The Triplex system was first introduced in the Koenigsegg Agera in 2010. It used a third, horizontal damper built into the rear suspension to counter the car’s tendency to ‘squat’ during hard acceleration with over 1000hp.

As Jesko comes equipped with an aerodynamics package providing over 1000kg of downforce, an additional Triplex damper has been incorporated into the front suspension to maintain an optimal ride height during high aerodynamic load without compromising grip at lower speeds. Both the front and the rear triplex dampers now incorporate active bump and rebound damping.

Koenigsegg has equipped Jesko with an adaptive, active rear steering system that increases responsiveness and heightens the senses at both high and low speeds. Using inputs such as individual wheel speed, steering angle, steering wheel angular velocity, engine speed, lateral acceleration, longitudinal acceleration and other parameters, the steering system can turn the rear wheels up to three degrees in either direction for quicker cornering, increased agility and stability.

Jesko’s new optional carbon fibre wheels are the lightest and strongest production wheels of their size. Larger than the Agera RS wheels they replace, the front weighs just 5.9kg (20” x 9.5”) and the rear 7.4kg (21” x 12”).

Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires come as standard. These are the same tires that were used on the Agera RS to set 5 world speed records. Michelin’s new Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires are available as a dry-weather-only option. The all-new Pilot Sport Cup 2 R features a new tread pattern offering a 10% bigger contact patch and significant improvements in performance and grip.

Advanced Aerodynamics

Showcasing its penchant for track-focused performance and handling, Jesko features the most aggressive aerodynamics package ever designed for a Koenigsegg car.

An enlarged, active double-profile rear wing hugs the rear form to maximise both the rearward positioning of the wing and the surface area used to push the car into the tarmac. The rear wing is top mounted to minimise disturbance on the underside – a focal point for high downforce.

The front splitter is the deepest ever designed for a Koenigsegg and features enlarged, active under-body flaps to either maximise or release downforce, as required.

Jesko’s aerodynamic design has a two-pronged focus – to direct airflow as efficiently as possible for both downforce and cooling while cutting through excess air with minimal drag. No stone is left unturned in this process: even the rear wing mirrors provide 20kgs of downforce while directing airflow to the rear of the vehicle.

Jesko is the most aerodynamically aggressive car ever to wear a Koenigsegg badge, as can be seen by the car’s amazing downforce numbers: It delivers a downforce payload of 800 kg at 250 km/h at the car’s most aggressive setting. That figure rises to 1000 kg at 275 km/h. These figures are a 30% increase over the Koenigsegg One:1 at similar speeds, and a 40% increase over the Agera RS.

Uncompromised Performance and Comfort

Jesko is unapologetic about performance. It is designed specifically for prodigious speed with total control. Despite this, Jesko also delivers creature comforts and convenience more fitting for a grand tourer than your typical track weapon.

The body is fitted with Koenigsegg’s Autoskin technology. Designed first for the Koenigsegg Regera, Autoskin uses electronics and minituarised hydraulics to automate the operation of doors and hoods. Drivers can open either of the passenger doors or the front/rear hoods at the touch of a button on the Koenigsegg remote key. The hydraulics used for Autoskin were already designed into the car to operate active aerodynamics and chassis levelling systems. This use of existing systems to provide new features is a prime example of Koenigsegg design philosophy.

Koenigsegg’s unique dihedral synchro-helix door has been re-engineered to allow for a better opening angle, allowing easier ingress and egress as well as better protection from high curbs.

Consistent with Koenigseggs of the past, the lightweight carbon roof fitted to Jesko is easily removed, transforming the car from sleek coupe to sun-loving roadster in just minutes.

Interior amenities include TFT touchscreen, USB inputs, inductive phone charging, Bluetooth connectivity, automated climate control, leather or alcantara trim with contrast stitching, ‘bird’s eye view’ parking assistance, digital warning system, electric adjustment of mirrors, seats and windows, adjustable pedals and steering, parking sensors and automated protection for Autoskin doors.

The infotainment system comprises a 5-inch, racing-oriented SmartCluster digital dashboard mounted on the steering wheel and a 9-inch SmartCenter central display. A new addition is SmartWheel. The Jesko steering wheel has two small touchscreens with haptic controls for easy access to phone, audio, the vehicle lift system, and more. SmartCenter is the home for device connectivity, media playback, and vehicle comfort and control systems, including the user manual.

The software driving SmartCluster, SmartCenter and SmartWheel has been developed in-house by Koenigsegg with support from Qt Professional Services. The application development framework used in development is Qt from The Qt Company. All systems can be updated over-the-air via the Koenigsegg Cloud.

Evolution = Revolution

The new Koenigsegg Jesko has been designed to deliver the highest measurable performance of any car homologated for road use for all world markets – the US, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.

The record-shattering Agera RS and ‘Final’ editions were a fitting conclusion to the Agera model line. Like all Koenigseggs, they will be compelling cars for collectors and enthusiasts around the world for decades to come.

Jesko is a forward-facing tribute to the Agera line, the ultimate continuation of that legacy. It incorporates everything we learned in 8 years of Agera development and combines that with technologies designed for a new era of performance. It extracts even more power from the same size engine and with up to 1600hp available on E85 biofuel and a curb weight of 1420kg, Jesko has a potential power-to-weight ratio beyond 1:1 and the engineering hardware to match.

The new 9-speed LST gearbox re-defines both high performance driving and efficient transmission design. Koenigsegg’s F1-style elongated double-wishbone suspension, an additional Triplex front damper and the introduction of dynamic rear-wheel steering ensure the best in road holding and stability.

Jesko’s all-new exterior design pays tribute to Koenigseggs past but is unmistakably new, fresh and crisp. It’s also functional and practical, with up to 1000kg of downforce via its standard, fully adjustable aerodynamics package and Koenigsegg Autoskin – a robotized body with automated door and hood openings. Jesko has more legroom, headroom and interior visibility and despite the car’s focus on track performance, it retains every creature comfort.

Jesko inherits the Agera RS’s mantle as the ultimate road-legal megacar with a laser-like focus on optimal track performance. It ushers in a new era for Koenigsegg, extending the company’s legacy of futuristic innovation and scintillating performance.

Inlägget Koenigsegg Jesko debuts at Geneva 2019 dök först upp på Koenigsegg.

The new Koenigsegg Jesko was announced at the Geneva Motor Show just yesterday and it’s fair to say the news has caused a few ripples…..

Here’s a quick round-up of some of the stories we found:

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We had a small handful of media outlets at our Angelholm factory in the week leading up to Geneva. They got a briefing on the car and a chance to check it out as we completed the build.

ApexOne – the guys behind the film, Apex, and the Inside Koenigsegg series on YouTube, were there for the preview.

They produced this opening look at the new Jesko:

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Shmee150 was there, too. He took a look under Jesko’s skin and chatted with Christian about some of the new tech we’ve built into the car.

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Top Gear Magazine came along, too.

Just when you thought the Hennessey Venom F5 or Bugatti Chiron was on course to top 300mph first, Koenigsegg once again reminds us that nobody does speed like the Swedes. OK, they haven’t cracked it yet, but according to the boss, Christian von Koenigsegg, his all-new Jesko hypercar is capable of over 300mph in simulations (the current production record-holder, the Agera RS, hit an average of 277mph in 2017), albeit in a lower downforce set-up than you see here. They would still need to find somewhere to do it, someone mad enough to drive it and a tyre manufacturer to back an attempt… but the science says it’s possible.

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Pro-shooter James Holm was there for Auto Motor and Sport, Sweden. AMS’s story in Swedish is here.

James also did a story on Enliven.co, in English, and it has the benefit of his amazing photography work as well.

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YouTube’s Mr JWW visited pre-Geneva and took an in-depth look at Jesko AND a factory tour with CvK.

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Máté Petrány covered the story for America’s Road and Track magazine:

….even though it’s the successor to the car that’s already the fastest in the world, this Agera RS replacement is a clean sheet design. It’s built around a longer chassis, hiding a heavily upgraded V-8 that makes 1600 hp when it’s running on E85, and a nine-speed gearbox with seven clutches, the like of which we’ve never seen before.

Petrány also has a separate article specifically about our new 9-speed multi-clutch Light Speed Transmission.

Check it out.

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Forbes Magazine’s Guy Martin writes:

It touts a 5.0 liter twin-turbo V8, which is in keeping with Koenigsegg’s motto of packing a towering amount of power into a small package. Put another way, this engine produces 1280 horsepower on standard gas, which figure rises to 1600 hp on E85 biofuel. American owners will be forewarned that the state highway patrol may stop you simply to look at the fantastic thing.

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Bloomberg’s Hannah Elliot extends the analysis:

All signs point to more of these extremely expensive, extremely low-volume hypercars spanning the earth. McLaren’s $2 million Speedtail, for example, sold out all 106 examples of its three-seat hybrid two years before production started. According to IHS MarkitGlobal, sales of cars costing more than $180,000—so-called ultra-premium cars—quadrupled to nearly 28,700 between 2009 and 2017.

Back in Sweden, and using a former Saab facility now owned by the Chinese-controlled National Electric Vehicle Sweden AB, Koenigsegg production will reach hundreds of vehicles annually by 2022, most of them at a price of $1 million or more.

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CAR Magazine will have an in-depth feature in their print edition, but lead with this in their coverage of the car live from Geneva:

Has it got a million horsepower?

Not far off – the redesigned 5.0 litre, twin-turbo V8 produces 1262bhp on standard petrol and a frankly baffling 1578bhp on E85 biofuel. That’s 1600 European horsepower.

It redlines at 8500rpm but it’s fair to say midrange performance will be pretty punchy too thanks to 1500Nm at 5100 rpm.

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Australia’s MOTOR Magazine concentrated their story on one of Jesko’s (many) party tricks – the Light Speed Transmission.

This powerhouse is attached to arguably the Jesko’s headline act, an all-new nine-speed gearbox dubbed Light Speed Transmission. It effectively operates like a dual-clutch but has the ability to instantly grab the appropriate gear for maximum power rather than just the adjacent one.

It does away with synchro rings and uses a number of multi-plate clutches. The computer then uses engine speed and road speed data to not only engage the current gear but also the one that would deliver maximum acceleration at any time.

To request the change there is a two-stage gearshift mechanism. Gears can be selected one at a time via the steering wheel paddles or shifter but a second stage engages Ultimate Power On Demand, instantly selecting the right gear for the biggest possible punch.

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Auto Express:

Like the Agera before it, the new Koenigsegg Jesko features a host of functional aerodynamics, with a new active rear wing, an active front splitter and a revised rear diffuser. The Swedish firm claims it will generate more than 1,000kg of downforce at 170mph, and a maximum downforce figure of 1,400kg.

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The UK’s Autocar:

This year’s Geneva motor show isn’t short on hypercars, but the newly unveiled Koenigsegg Jesko might turn out to be the most hyper of them all……

Von Koenigsegg says his company has already taken 83 deposits on the car, ahead of its official unveiling. “Be fast if you want one,” he told the crowds at Geneva. “We will have to see how many are left at the end of the show.”

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Jalopnik likes a good solution, so they’ve focused themselves on….. Anti-lag:

Certainly, a company like Koenigsegg could say, oh yeah, turbo lag is exciting. This is meant to be a thrilling car, with a big wing and big scoops and a ludicrous top speed. But that’s not how Koenigsegg does things…..

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The Drive takes a peek at its 5 Hottest Cars of Geneva:

While the Koenigsegg Jesko won’t be nearly as expensive or exclusive as the Bugatti, its performance promises to be a magnitude more extreme. Up to 1,600 horsepower, a 300-mph top speed, and a game-changing nine-speed, seven-clutch “Light Speed Transmission” take the Agera successor supposedly beyond hypercar status and into the realm of the “megacar.”

Need more evidence of just how highly Koenigsegg thinks of its new creation? Christian von Koenigsegg named the Jesko after his dad.

——

This is just a quick look. There are LOTS of stories out there:

Motor1 (Australia)

Autotrader (Canada)

Fox News

Autoweek

AutoEvolution

Autoblog

CarThrottle

DuPont Registry

GT Spirit

CarBuzz

Inlägget Koenigsegg Jesko News Round-Up dök först upp på Koenigsegg.

GENEVA, March 5, 2019

2019 is Koenigsegg Automotive’s silver jubilee. The company began operations in August 1994 when a 22-year-old Christian von Koenigsegg decided to pursue his automotive dream.

The first customer car – a CC8S – was delivered in 2003. Koenigsegg has produced a further ten models and various special editions since that time – CCR, CCX, CCGT, CCXR, Agera, Agera R, Agera S, One:1, Agera RS and Regera.

Koenigsegg’s twelfth model – Jesko – was introduced at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show and will join the Regera on the Koenigsegg production line in 2020.

Recent years have seen the company grow from an admired pioneering carmaker to a renowned industry icon. Koenigsegg is synonymous with innovation and known for its commitment to the ultimate in vehicle performance. It is a visionary carmaker, unafraid to challenge conventional thinking.

ANSWERING QUESTIONS NOBODY WAS ASKING – YET

When Christian von Koenigsegg began his automotive journey 25 years ago, there was a lone player in what you might call the hyper-performance market. The McLaren F1 is revered today as a generational car – the ultimate performance benchmark. The leap it represented from the rest of the market at the time was extraordinary and yet it was not the type of commercial success that could build a company at that time. McLaren built the F1 until 1998 before fading from view as an automaker for over 10 years.

Such was the business case for ultra-high performance cars in the mid-1990’s. It was a market boasting few customers for a high-cost product that nobody knew they wanted – the perfect setting to carve a new niche.

Koenigsegg Automotive entered this market in 1994 with little more than a dream, a sketch (done on Microsoft Paint!) and inexhaustible determination.

Christian’s first prototype took two years to build and was first tested in 1996. It took another 6 years of faith, dedication, blood, sweat and tears before the first customer cars were completed in 2002, ready for delivery early the following year.

This was a testing time, to say the least.

Koenigsegg persevered through recessions and market challenges that saw reputed names falter and disappear. Most famously, the company survived a factory fire that could have destroyed everything they’d worked so hard for – just days before delivering their first production car at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show.

A FOCUS ON BLISTERING PERFORMANCE

Koenigsegg has grown stronger every year, designing new solutions that re-define what the world knows about the limits of automotive performance. Every model the company has released has raised the bar, either by setting mind-bending performance records or by introducing new, industry-first technologies.

The CC8S was awarded a Guinness World Record as the most powerful production car in history in 2002. The CCR took that record and added the McLaren F1’s top speed record as well. The CCX dominated Top Gear’s test track and the CCXR broke ground as the world’s first ‘green’ hypercar when it added flex-fuel capability.

The Agera R set five performance records, including a staggering 21.19 seconds from 0-300-0 km/h. The Agera S introduced the world’s first carbon fibre wheels for a production car (designed and made in-house).

The One:1 was the world’s first production car with a 1:1 power-to-weight ratio. With 1 megawatt of power available on E85 biofuel, it was also the world’s first ‘megacar’. The One:1 smashed the Agera R’s 0-300-0 km/h time by nearly 4 seconds and set lap records at Spa Francorchamps in Belgium, and Japan’s famed Suzuka Circuit.

The Agera RS set five world records in 2017, including a new production car top speed record, and slicing 9 seconds from a 0-400-0 km/h record set just a few months before by the Bugatti Chiron.

The Regera introduced Direct Drive technology and pioneered an electric drive system with more electric power than the Porsche 918, the McLaren P1 and the Ferrari LaFerrari combined.

POLE POSITION FOR THE FUTURE

The same spirit that saw Koenigsegg shape a new market for ultra-high performance still carries the company today, though it is remarkable how the market has changed.

Where a sane business analyst could never make a case for Koenigsegg in the mid-1990’s, today the company faces competition from the most exclusive boutique producers as well as multiple, deep-pocketed, global giants.

Koenigsegg is well positioned to continue leading the way.

The period 2015-2018 saw the company increase its headcount from 70 to just over 200 people. In the same period, it added 50% to its factory footprint by taking over an additional hangar at the company’s Valhall Park production facility. Around 800 square meters of mezzanine floor space were added to existing facilities in 2018/19 and the same will be added to the new third hanger in 2019/20.

The Agera RS was a series of 25 vehicles. The Regera is a series of 80 vehicles. Koenigsegg’s new model – Jesko – will be produced in a series of 125 vehicles, reflecting the increased demand for Koenigsegg vehicles, worldwide.

To service this demand, Koenigsegg has expanded its representation around the world with new dealers added in China, South Korea, Malaysia, Australia and key market cities in the United States. A new Swiss dealer opened the doors of their brand new showroom in March 2019. All dealers send technicians to Sweden for training so as to better service customers in their local market.

January 2019 saw Koenigsegg enter into a joint venture with National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS). The two companies are joining forces in order to bring a unique and exciting vehicle to market in slightly higher volumes than typical Koenigsegg production runs.

Christian von Koenigsegg and the Koenigsegg team will lead the design, engineering and technical specification of the vehicle. NEVS will assist with development facilities, volume production engineering, testing and sub-assemblies. Final assembly of the car will take place in Ängelholm in an enlarged factory next to Koenigsegg’s existing development and production facilities.

The result of this collaboration will be a Koenigsegg car that benefits from NEVS’s experience preparing for higher volume production and their comprehensive development resources.

Koenigsegg is 25 years into its journey and has truly emerged from its adolescence. It has an identity to be proud of and a robust organisation that is hungry to keep building the world’s most innovative megacars.

A new era dawns. Perfection, as always, is a moving target.

Koenigsegg is ready for the challenge.

Inlägget 1994 – 2019: 25 Years of Koenigsegg dök först upp på Koenigsegg.

The Koenigsegg Jesko made its debut at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show to worldwide acclaim.

It features a re-worked 1280hp twin-turbo V8 engine (1600hp when run on E85), a 9-speed Light Speed Transmission, up to 1400kg of downforce, an all-new chassis that is longer and taller, revised Triplex suspension front and rear, full Autoskin-enabled doors and hoods, rear wheel steering and a re-designed cockpit featuring the new SmartCluster instrument display.

Full details are available at the Koenigsegg Jesko page on this website.

The images below were taken by Keno Zache.

Click to enlarge.

Inlägget Jesko Gallery – 2019 Geneva Motor Show dök först upp på Koenigsegg.

REGERA

The Koenigsegg Regera on display is owned by Carage, a new Koenigsegg dealership in Switzerland that will celebrate its grand opening just after the Geneva Motor Show. You can follow Carage on Instagram or check out their website.

The Regera is finished in KNC – Koenigsegg Naked Carbon – the first car ever to feature this amazing exterior treatment. It looked like liquid metal under the show lights, as you can see in these images.

The Carage KNC Regera is trimmed in grey inside.

While Jesko stole the Geneva Motor Show in general, the KNC Regera got plenty of attention of its own.

JESKO

It is, by no means, a stretch to say that the launch of the new Koenigsegg Jesko was the most successful in the company’s storied history.

The car was met with universal acclaim among both customers and the motoring press. Sales are mounting and it will not be long before we can announce that all 125 cars are sold.

EXTERIOR

Jesko features a fully robotised body, with all openings operated by the push of a button on the remote, or via a touchscreen inside the car.

The rear profile shows an affirmative stance. The car is available in two configurations – ‘track’ and ‘top speed’. The track version was on display at Geneva. The top speed version will be shown later in 2019.

The track version features much more aggressive aerodynamics that provide 800kg of downforce at 250 km/h. A maximum of 1400kg of downforce is available.

A key element is the large rear wing, which follows the rear curvature of the car.

The ‘251’ on the wing tip notes the car’s chassis number.

A look down the side of the Jesko…

The front splitter on the track version is also the largest ever used on a Koenigsegg.

The front hood contains an aero outlet like the one used in the One:1.

Upside: it creates more downforce.

Downside: the roof cannot be stored in this space on the track version of the car.

Jesko’s new carbon fibre wheels weigh just 5.9 kilos at the front and 7.4 kilos at the rear.

The wheels are shod with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires as standard. The Cup 2 R is an available option for dry weather only.

Some people asked where the ghost is on Jesko:

The ghost can also (just) be seen in this image, which focuses on the floating ‘Jesko’ badge at the rear.

Pic by @JonGolden8

Front and rear lights, in detail….

Exhaust outlet details:

We have re-engineered the dihedral synchro-helix door hinge on Jesko. The door now opens slightly higher than before thanks to a simple change of angle on the hinge. These new hinges can be retrofitted to any previous Koenigsegg.

The hinge detail below shows the slight upward hangle of the hinge rails. This is completely horizontal in earlier cars.

ENGINE BAY:

Jesko features a re-worked Koenigsegg twin-turbo V8 engine producing 1280hp on regular gasoline and 1600hp on E85. It’s buried in here somewhere.

More prominent is the new rear Triplex damper. It now features a progressive spring with hydraulic adjustment and full adjustability for bump and rebound.

It also looks really, really cool.

Below is an image of our engine/transmission display. Jesko has an all-new gearbox, developed and built in-house at Koenigsegg. The Light Speed Transmission has 9 forward gears, changes at near lightning speed and can shift you to the gear offering the fastest acceleration regardless of that gear’s relationship to the gear you’re in at the time (i.e. it’s not sequential).

The Light Speed Transmission has a super-compact footprint and weighs just 90kgs.

INTERIOR

Jesko features a new steering-wheel-mounted display screen that moves with the wheel. The circular section in the centre of the display is self-righting, so it always stays horizontal when the wheel is turned.

It’s all in the details sometimes, like the chassis number and Swedish flag on the racing harness belts.

The top of the dashboard features an optional analogue G-meter.

A car, its creators and its inspiration.

The Koenigsegg Jesko was named for Jesko von Koenigsegg, pictured on the left with the company’s COO and CEO – also his daughter-in-law and son – Halldora and Christian von Koenigsegg.

PEOPLE and MISC OTHER

Koenigsegg employees past and present are always welcome on our stand and we had a good number of them visit Geneva this year with their families.

Full-time designer and graphic artist, part-time extremely busy bartender:

This is the second year that Angelholm brewery, Skelderwikens, has commemorated the Geneva Motor Show with a Koenigsegg labeled beer. It’s very, very popular:

We had a number of notables visiting our stand during the first few days of the show. My camera was neither quick enough or discreet enough to catch Nico Rosberg or Mate Rimac visiting our stand, but I did manage to catch a few….

Dreadlocked Porsche savant, Magnus Walker, spent some time on the stand…

Prominent Youtuber Shmee150 came for several visits, seen here with fellow Youtuber Zach Lewis from ZachsGarage.

UK Racing Queen Lorina McLaughlin also called in.

Do Koenigsegg owners count as celebrities in their own right in 2019? I guess if they’re asked to sign scale models, they probably do. Naraya owner/driver Pasin Lathouras signs a scale model of his car for a buyer.

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Inlägget Koenigsegg at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show dök först upp på Koenigsegg.

Koenigsegg is pleased to announce that down payments have been received from customers and dealers for all 125 Koenigsegg Jesko build slots.

The launch of the Koenigsegg Jesko at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show was an outstanding success. 83 cars were sold prior to the show. Agreements were made on the remainder within 5 days of the car’s debut on the Koenigsegg stand. With all deposits received, we are now in a position to share the Jesko’s success with the world.

Koenigsegg Founder and CEO, Christian von Koenigsegg:

The new Koenigsegg Jesko is the highest volume production run we’ve ever planned. For it to have sold out within days of its unveiling is both humbling and a wonderful testament to the outstanding crew we have at Koenigsegg. From the visionary work of our designers, engineers and technicians to the incredible job done by our sales team and our global network of Koenigsegg dealers – it took a great team to bring the Jesko to the world. We are very thankful for the reception it’s received from the press, the public and of course, our growing family of Koenigsegg owners.

Jesko production will begin at the end of 2020 at the rate of one per week.

The model can be specified in either of two variants – track or top speed – according to customer preference. The Koenigsegg Jesko will be homologated for road use in all relevant markets, worldwide.

A small number of vehicles were purchased by Koenigsegg dealers to secure build slots for potential clients who could not attend the Geneva show. Aspiring clients without a Jesko build slot are encouraged to contact their Koenigsegg dealer as soon as possible.

Inlägget Koenigsegg Jesko Sold Out dök först upp på Koenigsegg.

A new Koenigsegg dealer.

A brand new building.

These are exciting times for Koenigsegg customers in Europe and automotive enthusiasts in general.

The world’s newest Koenigsegg dealer – Carage – opened the doors to its expansive new facility in Lucerne on Friday, March 22nd.

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You can visit the Carage website to learn more, or follow Carage on Instagram.

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The facility includes a dedicated Koenigsegg showroom and a workshop that has to be seen to be believed.

Koenigsegg founder and CEO, Christian von Koenigsegg, was present at the launch and visibly moved by the beauty of the building and the impressive facilities now available to Koenigsegg customers in the region.

“Jan Struve and I have known each other for many years. He’s been a customer, business partner, adviser and friend. When he said that the family wanted to build a new Koenigsegg dealership, I could never have imagined such a visionary facility. What they achieved with Carage is truly impressive in every respect.”

The new Koenigsegg Jesko was on-hand for the opening, fresh from its outstanding debut at the Geneva International Motor Show.

The Agera R ‘Speed Racer’ was also brought in to welcome visitors at the building’s entrance.

Inside, Jesko was joined by Carage’s own Koenigsegg collection – a CC8S, CCXR Edition, a recently acquired Trevita and the world’s first Regera finished in Koenigsegg Naked Carbon (KNC).

The world’s second KNC Koenigsegg – a recently rebuilt One:1 – made its world debut at the Carage opening.

Koenigsegg even brought in two technicians to demonstrate the construction of our unique carbon fibre wheels during the launch.

Carage is a passion project of the Struve family and a welcome addition to the worldwide Koenigsegg dealer group. We think it will also become an automotive Mecca for sportscar enthusiasts in the region.

As well as being an official Koenigsegg dealer and service facility, Carage offers consulting services to classic car owners and racing teams who can benefit from the team’s decades-combined experience with both Koenigsegg and professional endurance racing.

To understand Carage, it helps to understand a little about the Struve family.

Jan Struve has an enduring love for two automotive brands – Koenigsegg and Aston Martin. Jan was an early true-believer in Koenigsegg and supported Christian over many years in building Koenigsegg as a company. He has also been a successful team owner within the Aston Martin Racing program for many years.

Carage is a celebration of those relationships.

His passion for cars and motorsport has carried through to the next generation. His daughter, Kristine, and his son, Kim, together with their handpicked team, will live their passion through Carage.

Jan’s Young Driver #95 Aston Martin Racing team has seen great success in endurance racing, including winning the WEC 2014 LMGTE AM championship with their #95 after coming either first or second in every race that season, including a win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

In 2016 the team topped the 2014 result by winning the WEC 2016 LMGTE PRO Championship.

That #95 car – the single most successful car in Aston Martin Racing history – is part of the Carage collection and was on display at the opening.

The Carage team combines personnel from both Koenigsegg and Aston Martin Racing.

The Carage workshop is a sight to behold and the company offers comprehensive and factory authorised Koenigsegg service capability.

The workshop is Kim Struve’s responsibility. Kim has extensive experience in production and prototype construction at the Koenigsegg factory in Ängelholm and will be joined, part-time, by Nico Vilar – another former technician from Koenigsegg.

Jan’s son-in-law, Evert, will draw upon his experience as a race engineer with Aston Martin to lead Carage’s race consulting team to assist racing customers with vehicle setup, driver training, tire management and post-performance analysis.

Koenigsegg wishes to congratulate Carage on the successful launch of their amazing new facility.

We look forward to many years of continued partnership and success in the future.

You can visit the Carage website to learn more, or follow Carage on Instagram.

Inlägget Carage – New Koenigsegg Dealer Opens Doors in Lucerne, Switzerland dök först upp på Koenigsegg.

Studio images and motor show images are nice but a car’s meant to be seen on the road. It’s meant to interact with its environment.

Following the new Koenigsegg Jesko’s appearance at the launch of Carage, we took the chance to photograph the Jesko in the beautiful surrounds of Lucerne, Switzerland.

All photos by Eric Griess and yours truly, Steven Wade.

These images are now available for media on the Koenigsegg Press page.

Inlägget Gallery – Koenigsegg Jesko in Lucerne dök först upp på Koenigsegg.

The Koenigsegg Jesko was recently in Hong Kong to celebrate the appointment of Kingsway K Cars Ltd as the company’s official dealers for Southern China, Hong Kong and Macau.

While we were there, our good friend Oskar Bakke took the opportunity to shoot the new Jesko amidst this most exotic, captivating scenery.

The images below are now offered for media use on the Koenigsegg Press page.

Inlägget Gallery – Koenigsegg Jesko in Hong Kong dök först upp på Koenigsegg.

Following the massive success that was the Geneva launch of the new Koenigsegg Jesko, we’re now taking the car on a worldwide tour!

The first few stops on the tour have already seen the Jesko travel to 3 continents and be welcomed in some of the busiest cities in the world.

The first stop for the Jesko World Tour was at the new Koenigsegg dealership in Luzern, Switzerland – Carage. Carage is a purpose-built Koenigsegg facility and it was a pleasure to see Jesko on display with several of its stable mates in Carage’s brand new and immaculate showrooms.

A photo shoot in Lucerne followed:

From Switzerland, the Jesko was sent to Hong Kong, to celebrate the announcement of our new dealer in Hong Kong, Southern China and Macau. It’s a pleasure to welcome Kingsway K Cars to the Koenigsegg family. We hooked up with ace-shooter Oskar Bakke to photograph the Jesko in Hong Kong and the results were predictably spectacular.

The Jesko then crossed oceans again to take its place at the New York Auto Show. The Koenigsegg stand was hosted by Manhattan Motorcars, our dealer in New York. Jesko’s North American debut was an outstanding success and while it was a big event, it’s only beginning of what will be a month-long tour of Koenigsegg dealers in the United States.

Dealer activities in North America will comprise a mix of public and private events. As an added bonus, Jesko will be joined by the world-record Agera RS for all North American stops on the Jesko World Tour.

The North American leg of the Jesko World Tour will take in the following dates and locations:

10-11 May – Exotics of Florida, Miami – Koenigsegg Florida

The event in Miami this weekend is ‘Supercar Saturday’

Event Title: Supercar Saturday Florida
Address: 4645 Volunteer Rd, Davie, FL 33330
Date: Saturday, May 11th 2019
Time: 10:00am – 1:00pm

14-15 May – Park Place Premier Collection – Koenigsegg Dallas

18-20 May – O’Gara Coach, Koenigsegg Beverley Hills

24-26 May – Koenigsegg Newport Beach

1-2 June – Weissach Performance – Koenigsegg Vancouver

Fans should check with local dealers to see what’s happening in their area.

Following the North American tour, Jesko will return to Europe for a couple of events and a short stint at home before heading back to America once again.

15-16 June – 10 years of PACE / ESSER Automotive – Germany

4-7 July – Goodwood Festival of Speed – Jesko will appear on the Michelin stand.

9-17 August – Monterey Car Week – Jesko will appear at The Quail (Aug 16) and at Monterey Exotics (Aug 17, and formerly known as Exotics on Cannery Row).

We’ve been overjoyed by the reception given to the new Jesko at every event we take it to. We look forward to sharing the car to even more fans over the coming months and we hope you get the opportunity to see our latest creation for yourself.

Inlägget Koenigsegg Jesko World Tour dök först upp på Koenigsegg.

Koenigsegg Automotive has appointed Fredrik Wahrolén to a newly created position as Sales & Marketing Director.

Fredrik comes to Koenigsegg from Mercedes-Benz where he was Head of PR & Communications for the Swedish market from 2014 to 2019. Prior to that, he worked in a variety of senior management roles within Marketing and Communication with Peab, Duni and IKEA. He has also been an agency CEO within the Grey Network.

“The growth of Koenigsegg over the last few years has been phenomenal. The growth we foresee for the future will take us into new territory, expanding our reach around the world. As such, we want to ensure our organisation is ready to support and service the new customers we welcome into the Koenigsegg family,” said Christian von Koenigsegg, Founder and CEO.

“The appointment of Fredrik Wahrolén is a key step in that process. Fredrik brings considerable industry experience and his influence will be felt across the company as we focus even more on customer service and satisfaction.”

Fredrik Wahrolén, on his new position:

“Koenigsegg is an innovator with unique technology and a challenger in the automotive industry. I really look forward being part of Koenigsegg’s exciting journey – entering new segments and taking advantage of growth opportunities in the hyper car segment.”

Fredrik started in his new position on May the 6th.

Inlägget Fredrik Wahrolén appointed Sales & Marketing Director for Koenigsegg dök först upp på Koenigsegg.

June 28, 2019

Auctioneer Bonhams is about to auction off an extremely rare Koenigsegg One:1 at no reserve. At the same time, Bonhams has put an estimate for the car that is way under market value. For some reason, not understood by us, Bonhams are uninterested in giving a correct starting point or accurate estimate for the One:1, as they have shown complete lack of interest in trustworthy facts and figures presented to them. At the same time, they are unwilling to substantiate their estimate to us with any facts or findings whatsoever.

We at Koenigsegg are not willing to stand by on the sidelines and observe this wrongful and harming behavior without reacting.

In order to give Bonhams a base for a relevant estimate, we have gone out of our way to provide them with all the actual selling prices for the One:1 model known to date. Factual prices that are in some cases more than twice their top end estimate. None of the prices known are even close to as low as Bonhams’s estimate. The trend shows that values are only increasing.

Furthermore, Bonhams told us there was a possibility to buy the car pre-auction. Given their initial reluctance to adjust their estimate we submitted offers  substantially higher than that.

Not only did they decline the offers, they did not even use these relatively low firm offers as reason to correct their estimate to that level. In our view this further shows a total lack of interest in providing transparency to the market and is unfair to the seller and the car.

The prime asset of Bonhams is their credibility. Given this, we are bewildered as to why they are totally uninterested in using trustworthy market information as basis for their upcoming auction and instead they choose to stick with numbers that are totally unfounded.

Bonhams are simply not doing their job or living up to their reputation as a serious auctioneer.

Our most recent models, the Regera and Jesko, both sold out in record time. Our older models are all appreciating in value alongside the growth of our company.

The star among these models – the limited edition One:1 model, of which only 6 examples were produced (plus a prototype) – have all enjoyed hefty value increases, when sold, contrary to Bonhams’s estimate that indicates a hefty price drop.

This is not about the auction itself. Given the above, we are confident the car will catch a good value there.  We know there are buyers, including ourselves, who will seek to put their hands on this car.

The question is, why should bidders, who trust Bonhams’s judgement, not be given a fair chance to jump on the opportunity, instead of stopping their bids short, based on information Bonhams knows is incorrect?

In effort to provide Bonhams all the opportunities to do the right thing, we sent them a draft of this text in advance so they can correct their estimate. They did revise their estimate slightly to a figure that is still not even close to proven market value and substantially lower than our firm offers.

Given the above, we were unfortunately forced to share our findings and have to conclude that you cannot trust “appraisals” coming from Bonhams.

Inlägget Bonhams – should you trust their appraisals? dök först upp på Koenigsegg.

Koenigsegg Automotive has appointed Alexander (Sasha) Selipanov as Head of Design.

Sasha, a graduate of Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, started his career at Volkswagen in 2005. In 2010 he briefly joined Lamborghini, where he contributed to the Lamborghini Huracan.

In 2014 Sasha was appointed Head of Exterior Design, Creative at Bugatti. He was responsible for the exteriors of the Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo and the Bugatti Chiron.

In 2017 Sasha was appointed Head of Global Advanced Design at Genesis. His team worked on recent Genesis show cars: Genesis Essentia and Genesis Mint.

Sasha will also serve as the Managing Director and Chief Designer at the newly established RAW Design House in Ängelholm, Sweden. The company will offer a wide spectrum of design services to a select group of clients.

Sasha Selipanov comments on his new appointment:

“This is a dream come true”.

“I have followed Koenigsegg’s path for years and have been a huge fan of the company’s free spirit and commitment to innovation. In today’s world, Koenigsegg’s story and achievements are unparalleled; I am honored to offer my professional expertise as well as my lifelong passion for sports cars to Koenigsegg.”

“It shows how far Koenigsegg has progressed that we can attract talent like Sasha. I look forward to fusing the Koenigsegg way of developing and designing cars with Sasha’s experience and radical methods. I expect spectacular results” said Christian von Koenigsegg, Founder and CEO.

Sasha will start at Koenigsegg and RAW Design House in October, 2019.

Inlägget Sasha Selipanov new Head of Design at Koenigsegg dök först upp på Koenigsegg.

At Råda military airfield deep in the forests of Sweden, Koenigsegg has set a new 0-400-0 km/h world record when a Koenigsegg Regera completed the run in 31.49 seconds on Monday this week. This was 1.8 seconds faster than Koenigsegg’s previously unbeaten record, set by the Agera RS in 2017. CEO and founder Christian von Koenigsegg believe that the car can perform even better under the right conditions.

On Monday, September 23rd, a Koenigsegg Regera accelerated from 0 to 400 km/h and back to 0 in 31.49 seconds at Råda airfield close to the town of Lidköping. The car was driven by Koenigsegg factory driver Sonny Persson.

Almost two years ago Koenigsegg set a new 0-400-0 km/h record using a production Agera RS in Nevada. The record was a fantastic 33.29 seconds. This time around the Koenigsegg Regera gets to show what it is made of.

CEO and Founder Christian von Koenigsegg comments:

“This was a good opportunity to showcase the true capability of the Regera’s one-of-a-kind Direct Drive transmission. As the Regera only has one gear we had to make use of it from standstill to the record top speed of 403 km/h (or 250 mph) limited by rpm.

The car reaches its top speed like there is no tomorrow, but then there are no more gears. This actually suits the philosophy behind the Regera, which is ‘whoever gets to 400 km/h first wins’.

Priority has been given to acceleration and drivability between 0-400 km/h – no more, no less. At any given time, the Regera can and will accelerate harder in that speed range than any other production car known to us.”

It is worthwhile to note that this specific car is a fully homologated production car with its luxurious fittings and seats still intact. The only modifications were a roll cage and a four-point harness for driver safety.

The weather conditions were perfect – sunny with almost no wind. The 2000 m long track was a shutdown military airfield at 70 m elevation. To have enough runway we used a stretch of taxiway as a starting area in order to gain an extra length of around 300 m to make the runway long and safe enough.

As this runway is normally unused and dormant, the surface was not great for traction. Furthermore, it was not possible to drive in a straight line, as some bumps had to be avoided.

Low grip level, swerving around bumps and general unevenness naturally takes away from ideal acceleration times.

Despite challenging track conditions, the Regera only took 22.87 seconds to accelerate to 400 km/h over 1613.2 m. Deceleration to a controlled stop took just 8.62 seconds over distance of 435.26 m. The total distance used for 0-400-0 km/h was 2048.46 m. In better conditions a total length of under an unbelievable 2000 m should be fully achievable with the Regera.

Koenigsegg Regera reaches its top speed like there is no tomorrow, but then there are no more gears.

Christian von Koenigsegg continues:

“What is really impressive is how incredible the Regera brakes – 8.62 seconds from 400 km/h to 0 km/h is just unheard of. It is a testament to the Regera’s balance, suspension, aerodynamics and of course its in-house design and built Koenigsegg brake callipers. The proven numbers now show the greatness of the Regera. Having said that, we know we can improve these already impressive numbers on a track with better conditions.”

Performance data for the run was captured using an AiM EVO5 data logger and AiM GPS08 alongside a Racelogic VBOX 3i.

Safety is key for Koenigsegg. Local paramedics were prepped and on stand-by, and personnel armed with fire extinguishers were also on hand along the airstrip as further precaution.

Sonny Persson, a long term Koenigsegg factory driver and former three-time Swedish Karting Championship winner, comments, “The record is proof of how the Direct Drive transmission gives the driver seamless power on command. The car is truly a dream to drive. The stability during acceleration and braking is from another world.”

Koenigsegg Regera

The Koenigsegg Regera combines a powerful twin-turbo V8 combustion engine with three electric motors and cutting-edge battery power in a patent-pending powertrain technology called Koenigsegg Direct Drive. This revolutionary technology removes the traditional gearbox, making the Regera lighter, more efficient and more fun to drive than more normal hybrid solutions.

Inlägget Koenigsegg sets new 0-400-0 km/h world record dök först upp på Koenigsegg.

On top of launching the new Gemera and Jesko Absolut at our Geneva Online Event, we also announced that 2020 will be the year of the Regera.

And celebrate the Regera we did.

Together with the Gemera and the Jesko Absolut that returned to the Koenigsegg headquarters,  and the Jesko prototype, we took them all to our nearby track to bask in the glow of the Swedish Spring weather.

Photos by James Holm

[Click for high res]

We let the feisty Regera loose yet again and capture its powerful yet controlled on-track acrobatics – a testament to the innovative engineering that tames this one-gear 1500 bhp beast.

Inlägget Gallery: The Koenigsegg Squad on the Track dök först upp på Koenigsegg.

We are pleased to announce that our 2020 Koenigsegg Magazine is now available as a FREE pdf download (right-click to load as a new tab to read).

The Koenigsegg Magazine is an annual publication, with a new edition released at the Geneva Motor Show every year. Even though that got cancelled in 2020, we still managed to unveil new exciting developments and even gave a virtual tour of what would have been an impressive, fun and informative Koenigsegg stand.

The magazine is full of exclusive stories, renders and photography, including:

– Everything you need to know about the all-new Gemera
– The cutting-edge features of the Jesko and the all-new Jesko Absolut
– The Koenigsegg Regera and its remarkable achievements
– Interviews with Christian von Koenigsegg and Head of Design, Sasha Selipanov
– Koenigsegg’s future plans in an interview with COO, Halldora von Koenigsegg

And much more…..

You can buy a hard-copy of the magazine at our online shop.

Or you can simply click here to download a PDF version to read for yourself right now.

Inlägget 2020 Koenigsegg Magazine – now available as a FREE download dök först upp på Koenigsegg.