12/11/2025
Koenigsegg Jesko
The Koenigsegg Jesko is a hypercar built with one mission: pushing the boundaries of speed, engineering and exclusivity. At its heart lies a 5.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that produces 1,280 horsepower on pump gas and up to 1,600 horsepower when using E85 fuel. It’s mated to a nine-speed “Light Speed Transmission” multi-clutch gearbox developed in-house by Koenigsegg, allowing near-instantaneous gear shifts and the ability to skip gears rather than go sequentially. The car is extremely lightweight for its power class with dry weights in the 1,290-1,420 kg range depending on version. Aerodynamics are equally extreme: for the “Attack” version the downforce is quoted at around 1,400 kg. What this means is the Jesko is not merely fast in a straight line but engineered for track-radical performance.
Driving the Jesko is less about “commuting” and more about a full-blown mechanical and sensory experience: the acceleration is earth-shuddering, the responsiveness immediate, the systems bespoke. Every input matters gear shifts, throttle modulation, chassis feedback. If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a manufacturer throws away compromise and builds something purely for speed and performance, the Jesko is it. On the flip side, its exclusivity, cost, intense maintenance and brand-new engineering make it a serious commitment, likely suited only for experienced owners with track access, specialist support and high budget.
Lamborghini Huracán Performante
The Lamborghini Huracán Performante is a high-performance variant of the Huracán line, blending supercar speed with Lamborghini’s character and some unique technological touches. It uses a naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10 engine producing around 640 PS (≈631 hp) and torque in the region of 600 Nm (≈442 lb-ft) depending on market. Its 0-100 km/h time is around 2.9 seconds, and top speed exceeds 325 km/h in many specifications. What sets the Performante apart is not just the engine but the extensive use of forged-composite carbon fibre, a weight-reduced body and an active aerodynamics system (ALA – Aerodinamica Lamborghini Attiva) that modifies aerodynamic load on the fly for better handling or higher speed. In short, it’s less extreme than a hypercar like the Jesko but delivers supercar thrills in a package that still has usability, presence and Lamborghini drama.
Driving the Huracán Performante feels like a pure supercar experience: you’re low, you’re fast, you’re in a dramatic piece of design and engineering but one you can road-drive, show off, enjoy twice a week rather than just on track days (though you’ll want to). It offers a more accessible performance entry than the Jesko, yet still demands respect. It carries the Lamborghini badge, the V10 soundtrack, the supercar pedigree and for many it hits a sweet spot between usability and undiluted excitement.
Comparative Reflections
Putting the Jesko and the Huracán Performante side by side illustrates two very different philosophies of performance.
The Jesko is the ultimate performance machine. Its raw numbers, bespoke engineering, extreme downforce, ultra-lightweight construction and proprietary transmission all speak to a car built to dominate records and push boundaries. If you imagine a car manufacturer saying “we will build the fastest, most extreme car we can” then this is it. Ownership means exclusivity, specialist support, high cost, and a focus on performance above all.
By contrast, the Huracán Performante is more refined into the “supercar” world rather than “hypercar” territory. It still delivers breathtaking acceleration, sensational sound and aggressive looks but with slightly more usability, slightly less extreme demands on the owner, and a bit more day-to-day practicality. It remains dramatic, but you might feel comfortable driving it to an event, parking it, enjoying presence and then taking it for spirited drives.
In terms of driving feel: I’d expect the Jesko to ‘flatten’ everything acceleration beyond ordinary, chassis tuned for no-compromise, you feel every last bit of performance. The Huracán Performante, while fiercely fast, will feel somewhat softer around the edges, more approachable, yet still stunningly exciting.
In practical terms for ownership: the Huracán has a broader supporting structure (Lamborghini network, parts availability, track days), while the Jesko is ultra-exclusive (limited production, bespoke setup, major service cost). For many enthusiasts the Huracán might hit the “peak” of what they can realistically manage; the Jesko may be beyond that into “trophy hypercar” territory.
My Verdict
If I were choosing between the two and budgeting, usage, and practicality were considerations, I’d lean toward the Lamborghini Huracán Performante. It offers nearly all the visceral thrill of a top-tier supercar, has the Lamborghini brand drama, is more usable and still extremely special. The Jesko is awe-inspiring and clearly future-defining but unless you’re planning to exploit its every capability (track use, top speed runs, ultra-exclusive ownership) it might be “too much”
In short: choose the Jesko if you want the ultimate hypercar, regardless of cost and practicality. Choose the Huracán Performante if you want one of the best supercars you can reasonably live with and experience more often.