The Koenigsegg Jesko isn’t just loud numbers and louder aero; it’s a methodical rethink of how a road-legal hypercar generates speed. Below is a clear, data-driven walkthrough of the car’s two personalities—Attack (downforce) and Absolut (low-drag)—and the technology that makes both versions outrageous yet strangely rational.
The Core Hardware
- Engine: A redesigned 5.0-liter, twin-turbo V8 that delivers 1280 hp on standard gasoline and 1600 hp on E85, paired to Koenigsegg’s in-house Light Speed Transmission (LST)—a 9-speed, multi-clutch unit capable of near-instant shifts between any gear pair, not just sequential changes. (koenigsegg.com)
- Production: 125 cars total across Attack and Absolut combined, each road-legal and built around a carbon monocoque with Koenigsegg’s hallmark attention to mass and rigidity. (koenigsegg.com)
Two Body Philosophies, One Megacar
- Jesko Attack: Track-first aero and mechanical grip. Up to ~1400 kg of downforce and chassis tuning oriented for lateral load. If your yardstick is corner speed and braking stability, this is the one. (koenigsegg.com)
- Jesko Absolut: Top-speed optimization. Drag is pared back to a Cd of 0.278, downforce trimmed to reduce turbulence, and surfaces stretched/cleaned (note the long tail and wheel covers). Koenigsegg’s own words on vmax: “How fast? Time will tell.” The math and simulations point to truly extreme territory. (koenigsegg.com)
Records and Real-World Proof
- In June 2024, the Jesko Absolut set multiple production-car records, headlined by a 0–400–0 km/h run in 27.83 s at Örebro, Sweden (factory driver Markus Lundh). Video and telemetry came straight from Koenigsegg. (YouTube)
- In May 2025, the Absolut pushed standing-half-mile performance to a verified 223 mph (359.8 km/h), underscoring how its low-drag package converts power into speed over short distances. (Motor1.com, duPont REGISTRY News)
- Most recently, August 2025 testing shaved the 0–400–0 km/h mark to an astonishing 25.21 s, re-taking the production-car benchmark and edging past the quickest EVs. (Carscoops)
Why the Tech Matters (Beyond the Hype)
Light Speed Transmission (LST)
Instead of waiting for a conventional DCT to walk up or down ratios, LST’s clutch-to-clutch logic can jump from any gear to any other in near-zero time, which keeps the V8 on boost and in its fattest torque window during violent acceleration or rapid aero-braking phases. On track or runway, that continuity is free lap time. (koenigsegg.com)
Absolut Aerodynamics
At Cd 0.278 with a modest frontal area, the Absolut’s power requirement curve climbs far more gently at extreme speeds than a typical winged hypercar. Less drag also means lower thermal stress over long pulls, giving the drivetrain and tires a bigger safety margin while chasing records. (koenigsegg.com)
Attack Downforce
Downforce near 1.4 tons dramatically increases tire load at speed, translating into later braking points and higher cornering forces. That’s why the Attack exists: to turn runway theatrics into repeatable lap-by-lap performance. (koenigsegg.com)
Cabin & Interface
Jesko’s SmartWheel houses tiny haptic touchscreens for critical functions, while a 5-inch rotating SmartCluster keeps data readable through steering inputs—race-car focus with surprising day-to-day usability. (koenigsegg.com)
Price & Availability
Every build slot is spoken for, and published guidance from major outlets pegs pricing around $3 million before personalization. If you’re shopping, you’re buying on the secondary market. (MotorTrend)
Which Jesko Fits You?
- Pick Attack if your calendar says “track day” more often than “airstrip,” and your metric is sector time.
- Choose Absolut if you chase terminal velocity runs, half-mile events, and straight-line data. The latest 25.21-second 0–400–0 result suggests its potential still isn’t capped. (Carscoops)
Quick Spec Recap
- Engine: 5.0-L twin-turbo V8 — 1280 hp (gasoline) / 1600 hp (E85)
- Transmission: 9-speed LST multi-clutch, gear-to-gear skipping
- Variants: Attack (high downforce) / Absolut (low drag, Cd 0.278)
- Production: 125 units total
- Headline records: 0–400–0 km/h in 25.21 s (2025), standing ½-mile 223 mph (2025) (koenigsegg.com, Carscoops, Motor1.com)
If you came here wondering whether the Jesko is all headline and no homework, the data says otherwise. Koenigsegg engineered a hypercar that can either pin you to the door cards through Eau Rouge or blur the horizon in one relentless pull—and then stop harder than you think physics should allow.