Drivers are familiar with manumatic transmissions that supposedly allow the convenience of an automatic while enabling users to select a specific gear. Koenigsegg turns the concept on its head as it introduces the CC850 that comes with both gearboxes.
Koenigsegg CC850 World Premiere
Called the Engage Shift System (ESS), it’s the first of its kind in the world, and is based on the Light Speed Transmission (LST) used on the Koenigsegg Jesko. The setup functions as a quick-shifting 9-speed automatic transmission by default. This is an accommodation for drivers who prefer laid-back motoring most of the time.
It's a gearbox that's both a manual and an automatic
When the mood for performance hits the owner, however, this is where the magic happens. The ESS converts into a 6-speed multi-clutch manual transmission, complete with a physical clutch pedal and gated shifter.
Since the shifter is changing the gears electronically, the ESS can adjust gear ratios depending on driving mode. According to founder Christian von Koenigsegg, releasing the clutch too soon allows drivers to even replicate the car stalling in manual mode.
But the gearbox isn’t the only remarkable thing on the CC850. Between the rear wheels lies a 5.0-liter twin-turbo V8, pushing the car forward with 1,185 horsepower (1,385 horsepower with ethanol-blended fuel) and 1,383 Nm of torque.
The hands on the gauges look like ejector pins used by modern smartphones
Despite the undeniable sophistication that the CC850 brings, it comes with an analog gauge cluster, breaking away from the current trend of digital displays. The symmetrical interior allows Koenigsegg to assemble both left- and right-hand drive versions for different markets. All of these are wrapped in a smooth bodywork reminiscent of the Swedish hypercar maker’s first production model back in 2002, the CC8S.
Apart from commemorating 20 years of Koenigsegg’s existence in the industry, the CC850 also comes out on the occasion of Christian von Koenigsegg’s 50th birthday. This means that only 50 examples will be made available worldwide.
Only 50 customers around the world will get a Koenigsegg CC850 for themselves
The company says that far from breaking speed records or setting new benchmarks, the CC850 was made for something a little more mundane: driver enjoyment without sacrificing performance. With its novel transmission, that’s certainly easy to believe.
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