The all-new Koenigsegg Jesko doesn’t just feature a phenomenal twin-turbo 5.0-liter V8 with up to 1578 hp; it also premieres the Swedish automaker’s innovative ‘Light Speed Transmission’. Christian von Koenigsegg recently explained this transmission to Road & Track.
As the carmaker was developing its successor to the Agera, it realized that a dual-clutch transmission capable of handling 1100 lb-ft (1491 Nm) of torque would have weighed roughly 440 lbs (200 kg). Koenigseggs are meant to be light, so that was not an option.
Consequently, Koenigsegg decided to develop its very own transmission for the Jesko. And what a transmission it is.
The Light Speed Transmission is made up of eight actuators, eight pressure sensors, and eight clutches, one of which is used for the electronic differential. There are also six actuators for the forward gears on three shafts and an actuator for reverse. Do the math and that means there are two clutches per shaft.
The unconventional design is all packed together in a cast aluminum housing. According to von Koenigsegg, this tight packaging, as well as a super-lightweight crankshaft, means the Jesko will “rev like a Formula One engine on idle. And sound completely crazy.”
You may think cramming all those components into a transmission would result in something that’s far too heavy for any Koenigsegg model. However, it doesn’t. In fact, the Jesko’s Light Speed Transmission weighs just 198 lbs (90 kg) and can handle the hypercar’s 1100 lb-ft of torque. To put that into perspective, the dual-clutch transmissions found in mid-engine Ferraris and McLarens can only support 660 lb-ft of torque and weigh 275 lbs (124 kg).
Koenigsegg also says its Light Speed Transmission allows for direct shifts between gears, meaning drivers can shift from 7th to 4th, or any other combination, almost instantly.
The creation of this transmission, as well as Koenigsegg’s Freevalve camless engine, just goes to show you don’t need to be a global automotive giant to push the industry forward.
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