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You and I have many things in common, whether we know it or not. One is that we will likely never drive a Koenigsegg. Of course, my argument is already out the window if you’re a well-to-do entrepreneur who owns one, in which case… I’m not talkin’ to you. But for me and practically everyone else, we can only ooh and aww at what the Swedish manufacturer builds from afar. That doesn’t mean we can’t appreciate Koenigsegg’s work, and to prove it, I will spend the rest of this blog hyping up the new CCGT1 hypercar and all the ways you can shift it.
This car pays homage to a one-off Le Mans project from 2007. See, Christian von Koenigsegg developed a car (singular) to run at the 24-hour endurance race nearly 20 years ago, but some key rules changed just after it was completed. CVK decided not to let it lie forever, as the machine you’re looking at honors the original CCGT that has been refurbished and is headed for competitive use in the GT1 historic class.
Today’s darling, the new CCGT1, advances the formula with a new transmission technology called Koenigsegg Sequential Shift. It has a clutch pedal that drivers use specifically on take-off, while shifts are clutchless and no-lift thanks to ignition cuts. As you’d expect from a race car, the shifter is tall, and it’s just inches away from the steering wheel.
Koenigsegg
I can only imagine how sick it feels to rip through the nine (!!!) gears as the twin-turbo V8 roars and whirs behind your head. That engine makes 1,280 horsepower on pump gas or 1,600 hp on E85, and it can run on any blend of the fuels, too.
Now, let’s say you’d still rather have a traditional H-pattern gearbox. You’re in luck, as Koenigsegg is also offering the CCGT1 with its in-house-developed six-speed manual. If you keep up with Koenigsegg news, then you’ll remember that it already makes a manual hypercar: The CC850, a tribute to the company’s first homologated production car. This transmission is the same one you’ll find in that car.
What’s especially interesting is how Koenigsegg’s Light Speed Transmission makes all this possible. Both the six-speed manual and nine-speed sequential are LSTs at their core. This hunk of hardware has no flywheel and employs seven wet multi-disc clutches, which enable it to skip gears as needed. So, effectively, the manual and sequential can operate as automatic transmissions when in the corresponding mode. Kapeesh?
Koenigsegg
“The CCGT1 has two clear identities,” Christian von Koenigsegg said in a statement. “On the road, it’s a sublime tourer that is both comfortable and incredibly capable. But its origins are rooted in endurance racing, and that’s where the CCGT1 reveals its full character as a true celebration of the original CCGT—with the roof panel on or off!
“The CCGT1 offers something compelling to the weekend racer who also wants a daily driver with genuine extended capability on track. That’s what our optional track package allows. Fit it for race day through your local Koenigsegg dealer, and the character changes completely—from an exceptional weekend tourer with respectable track credentials into a true circuit weapon.”
Koenigsegg
I haven’t even talked about the car’s active aero, which includes a wing that alternates between low-drag and air brake with 30 degrees of adjustment; the “Ghost Fibre” bodywork, which shimmers in the sun with what Koenigsegg calls “a crystal-white aramix/carbon matrix”; or the optional Track Package, which adds a carbon fiber roll cage, HANS-compatible seats, fire suppression, air jacks, tweaked suspension and braking setups, even more hardcore aero, and a second wet of wheels with race tires.
Again, you and I are unlikely to ever drive the Koenigsegg CCGT1—especially if you aren’t one of the 70 customers who have already purchased one. (I know I’m not.) But I’m grateful that high-end, boutique hypercar companies still care about feel.
At least a guy can dream.
Got a tip or question for the author? Contact them directly: caleb@thedrive.com
From running point on new car launch coverage to editing long-form features and reviews, Caleb does some of everything at The Drive. And he really, really loves trucks.
