Koenigsegg Jesko Review: A New Level Of Hypercar

The humble supercar is the equivalent of a shopping-run econo car when compared to the absolute beasts being produced by manufacturers such as McLaren, Bugatti, and Koenigsegg. The new wave of hypercars, and now mega cars, blows everything we've ever thought possible out of the water. The Jesko, named after CEO Christian von Koenigsegg's father, is the latest and greatest creation to come out of the Koenigsegg stable, and features the most powerful gasoline engine ever fitted to a production car: its turbocharged 5.0-liter V8 engine can produce close to 1,603 horsepower on E85, and is said to be capable of tops speeds of 278 mph. The Jesko goes up against the likes of the McLaren Senna and the Bugatti Chiron.

2023 Koenigsegg Jesko

The first customer-bound Jesko was finally delivered to its eager customer in 2023, as Koenigsegg continues to take its time to craft each example of the hypercar. Other than this, no major changes were made to it.

2022 Koenigsegg Jesko

No major changes were announced for the Jesko for this model year as deliveries were once again delayed.

2021 Koenigsegg Jesko

The 2021 Koenigsegg Jesko is another stunning achievement by the Swedish automaker. The hypercar is powered by a 5.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 producing 1,603 horsepower with the right fuel. Replacing the Agera RS, the Jesko will be limited to 125 units, and all build slots were accounted for shortly after the car's reveal. Despite debuting at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, production only kicked off in mid-2021, with first deliveries to customers expected in 2022.

2023 Koenigsegg Jesko

Make

Koenigsegg

Model

Jesko

Model Year

2023 Koenigsegg Jesko

Year

2023

MSRP

$2,800,000

Engine

5.0L Twin-Turbo V8 Gas

Horsepower

1,280 hp

Transmission

9-Speed Multi-clutch transmission

Drivetrain

Rear-Wheel Drive

Torque

1106 lb-ft @ 5100 rpm

Fuel Tank Capacity

19 gallons

Length

181 in

Height

48 in

Max Width

80 in

Wheelbase

106 in

Curb Weight

3,131 lbs

Trunk Volume

5.2 ft³

Seating Capacity

2 seater

Show More

Jesko Exterior

The Jesko adopts an evolutionary styling design that borrows much from the Agera it replaces, but subtle changes to the bodywork and aerodynamics give it its own personality. The trademark wraparound windshield is still present, but now takes on a more fighter-jet-like appearance thanks to the Jesko's taller roofline. The Jesko is also 1.2 inches taller, and 1.6 inches longer. Styling changes include a new rear wing, front splitter, and rear diffuser. The Jesko rolls on a set of 20-inch front, and 21-inch rear lightweight forged aluminum wheels.

Dimensions

The Koenigsegg Jesko is 181.5 inches long and rides on a 106.3-inch wheelbase. It is 1.2 inches taller, and 1.6 inches longer than the outgoing Agera. Total width is 79.9 inches, and it is 47.6 inches tall. Ride height is 2.75 - 3.93 inches in front and 2.95 - 3.93 inches at the rear depending on the driving mode. There is also a front lifting system that can increase ride height by two inches. Curb weight is a light 3,131 pounds.

Exterior Colors

The Koenigsegg Jesko has one of the best paint jobs ever. That's according to industry experts like Larry Kosilla who works over at AMMO in New York City. The Jesko is painted in no less than 30 layers of paint, which means you get one of the best mirror finishes in the automotive world. We've spotted the Jesko in its debut White and Silver blend, but Koenigsegg has also released a special edition in Cherry Red which looks absolut-ly amazing (pun intended).

Jesko Performance

The numbers are absolutely staggering. The Koenigsegg Jesko was designed and built for ultimate performance, and that is exactly what it delivers. With a standard 1,281 hp on tap, performance is mind-bending. In traffic, we would recommend using your big toe to feather the throttle, as anything over quarter throttle will see you doing law-breaking speeds in less than four seconds. If you want even more poke, the Jesko can be run on E85, which pushes the power to an astonishing 1,603 hp. Get in, strap up, and get ready to fly.

Engine and Transmission

The Jesko doesn't shy away from big numbers; in fact, it lives for them, and when it comes to the engine powering this mega car, the digits are truly mind-blowing. The Jesko is powered by a twin-turbocharged 5.0-liter V8 engine that produces 1,281 hp on regular premium gasoline, but add some E85, and that number can jump to 1,603 hp. The engine makes use of the world's lightest V8 crankshaft, and new super lightweight pistons and connecting rods offer more strength and lighter weight than the previous generation titanium units. Power is sent to the rear wheels via an all-new nine-speed multi-clutch transmission, which offers instantaneous response times. It's one of the best high-performance transmissions around.

Handling and Driving Impressions

According to Koenigsegg, the Jesko was designed to be the ultimate road-friendly track car, and with features such as a carbon-fiber monocoque, and an advanced triplex suspension system, one can start to understand the capabilities of this car. The Jesko features a third horizontal damper in the rear that prevents excessive rear squat under hard acceleration, and a second triplex unit in the front adds even more rigidity for breathtaking cornering performance. Adaptive rear steering also improves responsiveness and cornering speed, and the massive rear wing creates up to 3,086 lbs of downforce at speed.

Jesko Gas Mileage

Judging the Koenigsegg Jesko according to its gas mileage figures should be a crime. This car is about so much more than that. Besides, those who end up owning one of these magnificent beasts won't bat an eyelid at fuel costs. The EPA doesn't offer any official numbers, but if the 11/18/13 mpg city/highway/combined figure of the Agera RS is anything to go by, you'll be looking at a very thirsty car. The Jesko is fitted with a 19-gallon fuel tank.

Jesko Interior

The interior of the Jesko is as radical as its exterior, but that doesn't mean that it's an uncomfortable space to sit in. Koenigsegg has made sure to include a full suite of comfort features which makes the Jesko feel half grand tourer and half sci-fi rocket ship. The hydraulic Autoskin door system opens up the interior in style, and once inside, the Jesko treats the eye with a combination of leather, Alcantara, aluminum, carbon fiber, and glass. Koenigsegg offers the Jesko with a near-endless array of interior and seat colors. Seating and climate control settings can be adjusted via an optional SmartCenter touchscreen, but all major controls are within easy reach of both passenger and driver.

Seating and Interior Space

Getting inside the Jesko is an event in itself. The Autoskin system, first revealed on the Regera, makes use of miniaturized hydraulics to open the Jesko's doors and hood for a truly touchless experience. Once inside, the Jesko wraps its occupants in leather, Alcantara, carbon fiber, aluminum, and glass. The wraparound windshield gives off a jet-fighter feel that suits the capabilities of this machine. The redesigned carbon-fiber tub is now 1.6 inches longer and 0.9 inches taller, which is great news for taller drivers. The extra space also increases visibility out of the front. The interior space feels uncluttered yet refined, and the focus is clearly placed on the driver.

Interior Colors and Materials

Far from being a stripped-out race car, the Koenigsegg Jesko offers its occupants a luxurious experience when seated in the cabin. The sculpted carbon fiber seats are covered in your choice of leather, or leather and Alcantara, and the rest of the cabin is dominated by a combination of glass, aluminum, and carbon fiber. Fit and finish is world class, and the overall feeling is that of a well-sorted grand tourer.

Jesko Trunk and Cargo Space

The Jesko offers both front and rear storage space. In the back, the small storage compartment offers a mere 1.8 cubic feet of space, enough for a racing helmet or two, while the trunk up front offers a more usable 3.5 cubic feet. Short trips to the grocery store? No problem. The interior is a different story altogether; there's space for two humans and not much else.

Features

The exterior of the Jesko features advanced systems such as adaptive suspension and aero, but the interior also gets its fair share of goodies. Entering the Jesko is done by a keyless entry system and power doors. Once inside, the Jesko offers power-adjustable seats built around a carbon fiber shell, a smart steering wheel with two small integrated touchscreens for adjusting ride height and cruise control, as well as a detachable hard-top, adjustable pedals, and a power steering column. Standard features also include wireless phone charging, climate control, a G-sensor, front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system.

Infotainment

The infotainment system on the Jesko is a very basic one and provides only the very essentials. There's a TFT touchscreen with Bluetooth streaming AM/FM radio, USB connectivity, and inductive phone charging on offer. The five-inch display behind the steering wheel rotates with the steering wheel and displays all vital numbers to the driver.

Jesko Problems and Reliability

The Koenigsegg Jesko has not been recalled yet, but this hyper-specialized car needs meticulous maintenance to remain in perfect working condition. Koenigsegg recommends swinging past once a year for a checkup and/or service. Service arrangements are customizable for each individual car.

Jesko Safety

The NHTSA and IIHS would never dare destroy such a rare species of car, especially considering its eye-watering price tag and limited availability. The Agera RS and Regera have passed EU homologation tests, so the Jesko should be just as safe.

Key Safety Features

So the Koenigsegg might not be officially rated by any of the major rating agencies, but it still offers some serious safety levels. At the frontline of the safety features list stands four airbags and an advanced traction and stability control system. Parking is helped along by a reverse camera and front and rear parking sensors. LED headlights show the way forward, and the ultra-rigid carbon fiber monocoque features front and rear crumple zones.

Verdict: Is The Koenigsegg Jesko A Good Car?

Koenigsegg builds cars that go beyond the imagination of the ordinary petrolhead. The ingenuity and sheer amount of tech that goes into each of its vehicles is simply mind-blowing, and the end results are always cars that go beyond what we think is possible. The Jesko follows in the footsteps of cars such as the Agera RS and offers even more power and capability, which is hard to believe when you consider how potent the Agera is. With over 1,600 hp on E85 and a top speed of 278 mph, the Jesko is at the forefront of automotive technology and capability.

What's the Price of the Koenigsegg Jesko?

Good luck finding one for sale: only 125 of these mega cars will ever be built, and you best believe that they will be spoken for before official sales even open. For interest sake, the Jesko sells for a cool $3,000,000, which is what you'll pay for a Bugatti Chiron, or nearly three McLaren Sennas.

Additional Packages

There isn't much wiggle room when it comes to the overall package. Koenigsegg has put thousands of hours of development and testing into the Jesko, and considers the final product, well, final. Koenigsegg does offer a few features, however, including seating upholstery options such as Alcantara, while the standard Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 tires can be swapped out for a set of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires.

What Koenigsegg Jesko Model Should I Buy?

There's only one Jesko on offer, so put your money where your heart is. If you're in it purely for the speed, Koenigsegg offers the Jesko Absolute, which is the fastest car Koenigsegg will ever make and features the most slippery body design ever produced by the brand.

2023 Koenigsegg Jesko vs Bugatti Chiron

When it comes to fast cars, you can't do much better than a Bugatti Chiron. This beast is powered by a massive 8.0-liter quad-turbo W16 engine which sends 1,479 hp to all four wheels, and will get to sixty in only 2.5 seconds and on to a limited top speed of 261 mph. We love how easy it is to drive fast, its stunning looks, as well as its glamorous interior and comfortable ride. The Chiron is a very thirsty car, it's tricky to park, and you'll struggle to find one for sale due to its limited production cycle. The choice between these two will boil down to brand loyalty.

2023 Koenigsegg Jesko vs McLaren Senna

The McLaren Senna is named after famed racing driver Ayrton Senna, F1 world champion and all-round racing legend. Naming a car after such a big personality takes some guts, but thankfully McLaren does his name proud. The Senna is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter flat-plane crank, dry-sump V8 producing 789 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. Maximum effort has been spent to keep the Senna as light and agile as possible, and it shows in the way this car drives: it's one of the most track-focused hypercars around, and unlike the Jesko, offers more of a balanced driving experience.