KOENIGSEGG JESKO HYPERCAR REVEALED WITH 1600BHP

A redesigned version of the Agera's 5.0-litre turbocharged V8 pushes out up to 1600bhp in the new Koenigsegg Jesko.

Koenigsegg dropped jaws as they revealed their new hypercar, the Jesko, at the Geneva International Motor Show. The Agera-replacement – named after Jesko von Koenigsegg, the father of company Founder and CEO, Christian von Koenigsegg – may have a record-breaking predecessor but it's got at revised powerplant and a ‘revolutionary’ new transmission.

The Jesko's all-new nine-speed gearbox was developed in-house and features "near light speed" gear changes – hence the name, Light Speed Transmission (LST). Koenigsegg explains that seamless acceleration and deceleration is achieved by allowing the simultaneous opening and closing of their new multi-clutch system, Ultimate Power On Demand (UPOD). Basically, unlike a dual-clutch system that selects gears in sequence, the new system allows the gearbox to select the most effective gear required for the current speed.

It's not just the trick transmission that impresses, the Agera's revised 5.0-litre turbocharged V8 powerplant is capable of pumping out an organ-liquidising 1600bhp and 1106lb ft of torque to the rear wheels when running on E85 race fuel. Don't worry though, you don't need racing fuel, it runs on standard petrol too but then you'll have to do with 'only' 1280bhp.

To achieve these figures, the powerplant has been given lightweight, bespoke components, including the world’s lightest crankshaft at just 12.8kg. It's milled from a single solid steel billet that, besides saving weight, reduces vibration and allows for higher revs – 8500rpm in this case.

Usually, when hypercar makers reveal new models at motor shows, there's no mention of performance figures but, if the hype around the new powertrain is to be believed, the Jesko will be knocking on the 2.5-second mark from 0-60mph and reach a triple-digit high speed that nobody will ever achieve unless they have a saltpan in their garden.

The Jesko has also been made more practical, well, in hypercar-terms anyway, with the carbon fibre tub stretching 40mm longer and 22mm higher for more leg- and headroom over its predecessor.

Koenigsegg hasn't sacrificed its industry-leading torsional rigidity either, retaining the carbon fibre and aluminium sandwich construction seen on the Agera. It also boasts rear-wheel-steering for improved manoeuvrability at low speeds as well as agility at higher speeds, once again with the focus on practicality.

Miniaturised hydraulics automate most of the Jesko's hinges and, climbing inside, the interior unites leather, Alcantara, carbon fibre, aluminium and glass in a melody to the senses. There are two integrated touchscreens on the ‘SmartWheel’ that allows for control over the audio, ride height, cruise control and more.

Walking around the Jesko and you're immediately struck by the almost-comically styled active, top-mounted dual-level rear wing that no words can describe. Coupled with the large, 'underbite' of a front splitter, some unseen active underbody aero inlets and unsubtle rear diffuser, the car is capable of 1000kg's of downforce at high speed.

A centrally mounted exhaust sits atop the diffuser between rather pretty tail lights and super-slim headlights stretch up the wheel arches towards the wrap-around windscreen and Koenigsegg's awesome patented hinged doors. There are lightweight centre-locking forged aluminium wheels as standard but we suspect most owners will opt for the carbon fibre versions instead.

There are only 125 units of the Jesko scheduled for production and will go on sale from around £2.3m each.