Sadair's Spear Is The Record-Breaking Koenigsegg Hypercar Nobody Can Buy
Koenigsegg Pays Tribute To Its Origins
Those who know the lore behind how Christian von Koenigsegg got his start in creating extraordinary cars will be aware that the Jesko hypercar is named after his father, paying tribute to the man who helped him find his place in the world. Continuing that naming strategy is the new Sadair's Spear. Allow us to explain. Jesko von Koenigsegg was a gentleman jockey and his favorite racehorse, which was also the one he rode in his last race in 1976, was named Sadair's Spear. With production of the Jesko hypercar being wrapped up this year, it's an apt way to celebrate how far this megacar manufacturer has come. But as is always the case, the name was by far the easiest part of this car's creation.
Astonishing Aerodynamic Advances
The Sadair's Spear is described as the most track-focused car Koenigsegg has ever made, and it looks it. The rear wing is reminiscent of the one on the Jesko Attack, but it's a new design that delivers even more downforce. This is combined with an elongated rear end for better efficiency and stability, and to balance things at the front, the dive planes are larger. Koenigsegg has also lengthened the strakes in the diffuser and added vents to the wheel arches. This, new air intakes, and a vented hood with a redesigned Gurney flap all work together to increase cooling by 30% (allowing the engine to develop an extra 20 hp on pump gas and an extra 25 hp on E85) and downforce by 20% – all while still reducing drag by 5%. Wider tires help make this safe, with 275-width front tires and 335-width rears, available in Michelin Cup 2 or Cup 2 R flavors, but the wheels are the truly amazing part.
An evolution of the company's proprietary Aircore carbon fiber wheels (which only have a tiny sliver of metal in the air valves but are otherwise all-carbon), this exclusive 7-spoke design sucks air out from under the car to help improve downforce and brake cooling, but because of the other aero elements added to the Sadair's Spear, each corner has a unique design, which Christian von Koenigsegg describes as an immense challenge. Finally, the carbon-ceramic brakes have been upgraded with new pad materials and the suspension setup – including the company's unique Triplex dampers – has been retuned for this application.
$5.1 Million Buys A Record-Breaker
In total, the Sadair's Spear delivers 1,282 hp on regular unleaded and 1,603 hp on E85 fuel, from the same 5.0-liter twin-turbo flat-plane crank V8 found in the Jesko. Also carried over is the nine-speed Light Speed Transmission, but some things have been lost. While climate control, infotainment, and electric seat luxuries exist (with six-point harnesses optional), Koenigsegg has shed 5.7 pounds worth of sound insulation and cut another 2.8 lbs with new carbon fiber techniques. Other undisclosed measures have contributed to a total weight saving of 77 lbs. Acceleration and top speed claims have not yet been made, but it's already a record-breaker. Late in 2023, the Jesko Attack obliterated the Gotland Ring lap record with a time of 2:56.9. Christian calls this the Nürburgring of Sweden, and as one of the longest and most technical, it qualifies. During a shakedown run, the Sadair's Spear reportedly lapped the 4.5-mile track some 1.1 seconds quicker, and Koenigsegg has high hopes for what else it might yet achieve. Just 30 will be made, all of which are already sold out, and according to Top Gear, it costs £3.8 million, or over $5.1 million at current exchange rates.
About the Author
Sebastian Cenizo View Profile
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
29 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Live Austrian Grand Prix qualifying: Latest lap updates after Norris sets pace in practice
2:17PM Top five in the drivers' standings Oscar Piastri (McLaren)- 198 points Lando Norris (McLaren)- 176 points Max Verstappen (Red Bull)- 155 points George Russell (Mercedes)- 136 points Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)- 104 points 2:12PM Wolff admits Mercedes in talks to sign Max Verstappen Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team principal, has reignited talk of Max Verstappen potentially joining his team by admitting that he is having 'conversations' with Red Bull's four-time world champion with regard to a future drive. Wolff's comments came after his driver, George Russell, strongly suggested that Mercedes' pursuit of Verstappen was delaying his own contract talks. Russell has repeatedly said that he is not concerned about signing an extension to his deal, which expires at the end of this season, given his current performance levels. The Briton, 27, is fourth in the drivers' championship, 19 points behind Verstappen in third. But by common consent Russell has extracted everything he possibly could out of his car. 2:06PM Top ten in final practice earlier Lando Norris (McLaren) 1:04.324 Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +0.118 Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +0.210 Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.250 Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) +0.466 George Russell (Mercedes) +0.694 Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) +0.729 Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) +0.738 Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) +0.815 Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) +0.858 2:01PM Who will take pole in Austria? We are in the picturesque Styrian Hills of Austria and are all set for qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix. It has been two weeks since the last race in Canada, won by Mercedes' George Russell, which saw the two McLarens collide, with Lando Norris crashing out and current drivers' championship leader Oscar Piastri finishing fourth. That result means Piastri heads into this weekend 22 points clear of Norris. McLaren, who lead by 175 points in the constructors' standings, have brought an upgraded front suspension to their car this weekend. Friday was a special day for Irishman Alex Dunne, who took part in first practice in Norris' McLaren and impressed finishing fourth, under a tenth off Piastri in the other McLaren. Dunne is currently leading the F2 Championship and did test McLaren's 2023 car in Texas last week in preparation for this run-out. Speaking after second practice yesterday, Norris, who topped the timesheets in both second and third practice, was full of praise for Dunne. 'The car felt good from the off. Alex gave good feedback this morning [yesterday] after FP1 and he was on the pace straight away, so it was good to see. I think they moved the car in the right direction for FP2, and we just need to understand whether we want more of that [on Saturday], or a little bit less, or somewhere in the middle. So good steps in the right direction, but still a little bit more to come hopefully. We have shown a bit more pace than some of the others. I certainly think they are going to catch up. Max is not far behind and they usually improve a lot into Saturday.' After topping second practice yesterday, Norris was also fastest in third practice earlier. Piastri was second, with Max Verstappen in third and Charles Leclerc fourth. McLaren are not the only team to bring upgrades to their car for this weekend; Red Bull have a new floor edge whilst Ferrari have a completely redesigned floor. Friday was a tough day for Lewis Hamilton, who had gearbox issues in practice one before impeding Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli in second practice. The seven-time world champion did escape serious punishment, receiving just a warning for 'unnecessary impeding'. A lot of the talk going into the weekend surrounds the futures of Verstappen and George Russell. Verstappen has been linked with a move to Mercedes, with their boss Toto Wolff confirming conversations are being had. The Dutchman is under contract at Red Bull until 2028 but it is believed to have break clauses which Verstappen could use. Verstappen and Russell have come to blows on a number of occasions on and off the track, including as recently as the Spanish Grand Prix where the two collided on track, but Wolff has said he would be happy to pair the two drivers together. Qualifying gets going at 3pm BST.
The Guardian
44 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Formula One: Austrian Grand Prix qualifying
Update: Date: 2025-06-28T13:00:26.000Z Title: Preamble Content: Hello and welcome to qualifiers of the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg. The Red Bull Ring is a picturesque circuit that drivers find to be relatively simple. But it does come with some secret tough spots. The downhill braking zone at Turn 4 is a spot where so many drivers end up in the gravel. The track surface is quite old and highly abrasive, which teams will factor when picking their tires. As it has been for most of the season, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris – both of McLaren – lead the driver standings with the defending champion Max Verstappen in third. Norris ended the final practice session at the Red Bull Ring in first, closely followed by Piastri. Join me for the buildup and news before we get to the 3pm BST qualifiers. And, as always, feel free to send your predictions, questions and concerns via email.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
I fear the worst for my dear pal Michael Schumacher – if only we could know more about how he is
MICHAEL Schumacher's former pal says he fears the worst over the F1 legend's condition. Details surrounding the star's health have been kept under lock and key since he suffered a near-fatal ski accident in 2013. 4 4 4 Ex- Red Bull boss Richard Hopkins - who enjoyed regular coffee breaks with Schumacher in the early 1990s - said the lack of information for more than a decade stokes his fears about his condition. Hopkins, Head of Operations at Red Bull from 2013 to 2015, met Schumacher he was a mechanic at McLaren and the F1 great was at Benetton. He watched as Schumacher's career skyrocketed until he retired in 2012 with a joint record seven world titles. But the following year, Schumacher - now 56 - suffered a devastating head injury while skiing on Alpine slopes in France. Protective wife Corinna has not revealed any details about his condition and he has not been seen in public since. And Hopkins says the longer time goes on without an update, the more he fears about the true nature of his health. He told The Sun: "It's a shame and I wish we all knew a bit more. I get it and I understand it, it's very private to them. "But the danger of course is that we all make assumptions of how he is, and probably none of our assumptions are accurate. "We create an assumption that is probably worse and darker than his condition probably is, and then a lot of us look on the bright side and hope it's a lot better than it actually is. "I saw the recent story about him signing a crash helmet, and there's an MS on it. We'd all love to believe he got a pen out the draw and signed it but there was probably some assistance along the way. "I wish we had a better idea, not just me, all of us in motor racing. It's sad because even the 'keep fighting Michael' message has kind of been forgotten. 'But it's life and we all move on. It's very sad that we just don't know and we don't hear from him. It's sad that he doesn't attend races or make public appearances. 'He was an amazing guy, extraordinary character and amazingly successful." Close pal Flavio Briatore, who led Schumacher to his first two titles at Benetton, recently offered a heartbreaking insight into his health. He appeared to confirm Schumacher, who joined Ferrari after Benetton where he won five titles, was bed-bound. What do we know about Schumacher since his accident? MICHAEL Schumacher's life changed forever on December 29, 2013, when a skiing accident left the seven-time F1 champion with a severe brain injury. Since then, his family has protected his privacy, with only a select few remaining in contact with the racing legend. December 29, 2013 - The skiing accident: Schumacher suffers a life-threatening head injury while skiing off-piste in Méribel, France. He falls and hits his head on a rock, causing severe brain trauma despite wearing a helmet. He is airlifted to a hospital in Grenoble, where he undergoes two emergency surgeries. Doctors place him in a medically induced coma to reduce swelling in his brain. January 2014 - Schumacher fights for his life: Schumacher remains in a coma. Doctors describe his condition as 'critical but stable'. His family, led by wife Corinna, remains at his bedside. The world's F1 community rallies behind him, with fans holding vigils outside the hospital. June 2014 - Schumacher brought out of his coma: After nearly six months, Schumacher is brought out of his coma. His family confirms he is no longer in a coma but gives no further health details. He is transferred from Grenoble to a rehabilitation facility in Lausanne, Switzerland. September 2014 - Back home: Schumacher is moved to his family home near Lake Geneva. Corinna announces he will continue his recovery at home, with a dedicated medical team. 2015–2018 - Mystery surrounding his health: Reports suggest Schumacher is receiving round-the-clock medical care at home, costing £50,000 per week. Jean Todt reveals he still visits Schumacher and that they watch F1 races together. May 2017 - German magazine sued by Schumacher's family: The magazine Bunte has to pay Michael Schumacher €50,000 (£42,000) in damages after claiming in 2015 that Schumacher would walk again. The Hamburg regional court determined that the statement was false and infringed upon Schumacher's right to privacy. September 2019 - Schumacher secretly transferred to Paris: French media reports that Schumacher is taken to Paris for stem cell therapy at the Georges-Pompidou Hospital. The procedure is led by renowned surgeon Dr. Philippe Menasché. Details of the treatment remain undisclosed. December 2019 - Manager issues rare statement: Schumacher's longtime manager Sabine Kehm says his condition will remain private. She dismisses speculation and false reports about his health. September 2021 - Netflix documentary 'Schumacher' released: A new Netflix documentary, Schumacher, provides rare insights into his life. Corinna speaks publicly about his condition for the first time, saying: 'Michael is here. Different, but he's here, and that gives us strength.' December 2023 - 10 years since the accident: Schumacher turns 55. The anniversary of his accident is marked by tributes from the F1 world. Jean Todt confirms he still sees Schumacher regularly and describes his visits as 'full of affection'. September 2024 - Daughter Gina's wedding: Gina Schumacher, 27, marries longtime boyfriend Iain Bethke at the family's £27million Majorca villa. Reports claim Schumacher attends the wedding, but close friend Johnny Herbert later calls it 'A1 fake news'. Guests are reportedly required to hand over their phones to prevent leaks. March 2025 - Schumacher becomes a grandfather: Daughter Gina announces arrival of first child with husband Iain Bethke. The pair tied the knot in September 2024. Gina revealed the birth on Instagram and wrote: "Welcome to the world, Millie. Born on March 29th, our hearts are fuller than ever." Briatore told Corriere della Sera: 'If I close my eyes, I see him smiling after a victory. 'I prefer to remember him like that rather than him just lying on a bed.' Hopkins said he used to bump into Corinna but hasn't seen her, or anyone else close to him, since the crash. He added: 'I just haven't crossed paths with them. 'The circle of people close to Michael is very small, Jean Todt, Corrina, Mick, and a few others who spend time with him. 'Everything about Michael's situation is kept private, and those who are close to him, including his nursing team, are bound by an absolute circle of trust. 'I did meet Corinna a couple of times, if only just to say hi and everything else. My interactions with Michael weren't shared with Corinna. 'But even if I did bump into her now, and I asked how Michael was, she would probably just say he's fine. I didn't know her well enough for her to share information with me." What happened to Michael Schumacher? MICHAEL Schumacher's life was hanging by a thread 12 years ago as medics tried desperately to keep him alive after a tragic skiing crash that left him with horrific brain injuries. The F1 legend was given the best possible treatment as he was put into a medically induced coma, had his body temperature lowered and underwent hours of tricky operations on his brain. Back in 2013, the retired seven-time world champion, and his then 14-year-old son set off on the Combe de Saulire ski run in the exclusive French resort of Meribel. Footage from his helmet camera revealed he was not travelling at excessive speed when his skis struck a rock hidden beneath the snow. He catapulted forward 11.5ft and crashed into a boulder head first that split his helmet into two and left him needing to be airlifted to hospital for two life-saving operations. At one point his family were told to brace themselves for the worst case scenario as the situation was much worse than originally believed. At the time, medics said Schumacher was likely to stay in an induced coma for at least 48 hours as his body and mind recovered. But the coma ended up lasting 250 days - more than eight months. After he woke up in June 2014, he was discharged from hospital and sent to his home in Lake Geneva to get further treatment. Since then his wife Corinna and his inner circle of friends have expertly avoided almost anything leaking out about his health status. Only small amounts of information have been released including reports that Schumacher was in a wheelchair but can react to things around him. In 2019, it was said that Schumacher was set to undergo breakthrough stem cell therapy in a bid to regenerate and rebuild his nervous system. Renowned France cardiologist Dr Philippe Menasche, who had operated on him previously, was set to carry out the treatment that would see cells from his heart go to his brain. Following the treatment at the Georges Pompidou Hospital in Paris, he was said to be "conscious", although few other details were given about his state. He added: 'If he could be at a race today, I wonder if he would be? I wonder if he would love it today, rocking up at a race track, everyone would love him being there. "But I don't think he would, actually. I think he'd spend more time on other interests, spending more time on a bloody horse than a race track now!" Schumacher retired in 2006 but made a brief comeback for Mercedes from 2010 to 2012. He is widely considered among the best to ever race in the sport. Only small hints have been released about his health since the accident. Briatore's ex-wife, Elisabetta Gregoraci, previously said he doesn't speak but communicates with his eyes. Corinna has also previously said he is now 'different, but here'.
