Koenigsegg returns to Australia with country’s most expensive car

After attempts to launch previously, Swedish hypercar manufacturer Koenigsegg is preparing to re-enter the Australian market ready to sell its range of million-dollar exotic cars to Australian customers.

Now sold through specialist car dealer Sullivan Kerr in the bayside suburb of Sandringham, Victoria, Koenigsegg cars now have a specific home within a repurposed World War II ammunitions factory.

It comes after the brand was first introduced to the country back in 2008 with demonstrator versions of the CCR and CCX. Both these cars, black and orange examples respectively, are still in Australia.

But Sullivan Kerr is focused on the new range of hypercars which include the Koenigsegg Jesko hypercar and Gemera four-seat “hyper grand tourer”.

Priced from 2.34 million euros ($AU3.5 million) and 1.6 million euros ($AU2.38 million) respectively before Australian taxes, the two Swedish hypercars can be customised with all manner of bespoke finishes and modifications straight from the factory in Angelholm, Sweden.

Somewhat odd for an Australian new-car dealer, prices are quoted in euros to account for currency fluctuations while the cars are being built, according to Sullivan Kerr. No taxes are applied to the above price, meaning luxury car tax, GST, import tax, and stamp duty still need to be applied once the cars arrive.

The low-drag Jesko Absolut is the high-speed version and utilises aerodynamic fins in place of the regular, high-downforce Jesko’s gigantic rear wing, but will cost 3.1 million euro ($AU4.62 million) before Australian taxes are applied. Once taxes are applied, it's likely the Jesko will be the most expensive vehicle on the Australian new-car market.

Strong demand for the Jesko means that Australia’s allocation of three is now exhausted – you couldn’t buy one even if you had the means.

The one-of-125 Jesko is powered by a twin-turbocharged 5.0-litre V8 engine which outputs 955kW/1500Nm to the rear wheels.

This powertrain is mated to a Koenigsegg-developed nine-speed “Light Speed” transmission. In fact, according to the brand, every component used in the car is manufactured by Koenigsegg itself – bar the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres.

Company founder Christian von Koenigsegg has already said the Jesko Absolut will be the fastest car the maker has ever built – estimating a 330mph (565km/h) theoretical top speed in the right conditions.

Suppose though, you’ve got a family to cart around. Koenigsegg also has you covered in that department with a vehicle perhaps more interesting than the all-out Jesko: the Gemera four-seat plug-in hybrid grand tourer.

It uses a twin-turbo 2.0-litre three-cylinder engine which comes matched to three electric motors – one at the crankshaft providing power to the front wheels, and one on each rear wheel.

The petrol engine is nicknamed the “Tiny Friendly Giant” for its minuscule 70kg weight, and is so small thanks to its cam-less piston design – a first for any production car. Combined outputs stand at 1268kW/3500Nm, which is sent through a single-speed Koenigsegg Direct Drive transmission to all four wheels.

According to Koenigsegg it can sprint from zero to 100km/h in 1.9 seconds and run on to a 400km/h top speed. It can also travel 50km on all electric power thanks to a 15kWh battery.

It is limited to 300 examples worldwide, “a small handful” of which are available for Australian customers.

Koenigsegg shipped two mock-up examples of the Jesko Absolut and Gemera to Melbourne in anticipation of the dealership launch.

Speaking to Drive at the Koenigsegg dealership launch, Sullivan Kerr managing director Andrew Kerr said now was the right time to reintroduce the brand to Australia.

“The exclusivity of [Koenigsegg] is quite appealing to people,” says Kerr.

“Ferraris, and all that sort of thing are [still desirable] but there are more of them around than there was before. People are ready to take that next step into a new market.”

“What Koenigsegg offers in terms of everything being in-house, there’s not really anything else from a product perspective that comes anywhere near it. It’s a good draw card.”

“We expect to see the first Jesko hopefully in March or April 2023, pending specifications.”

According to Kerr, the sky is the limit in terms of personalisation. Any number of exotic materials can be used to upholster the car, while Koenigsegg can colour to sample any shades or finishes for the interior or exterior.

“Obviously if our customers want crazy custom tailoring, or even something like exposed carbon, that can blow-out production by 1000 hours.”

In terms of after-sales care, Sullivan Kerr will set up a standalone facility to service cars in the Australasian area, also encompassing the few Koenigseggs currently in New Zealand.

It will be 2024 by the time the first Gemeras arrive on Australian soil.