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
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Insurance warning for holidaymakers planning road trips abroad this summer
Holidaymakers planning a road trip around Europe are being warned they could be left out of pocket if they do not check for any limitations on their breakdown cover. Financial information and ratings provider Defaqto analysed 291 products, and found nearly a third (31%) cap individual breakdown claims at under £3,500. If the cost of recovery or repair exceeds this amount, the policyholder could find they have to cover the difference. It is also worth checking if a total claims limit applies across the whole policy, Defaqto said. If someone's car breaks down before their departure and cannot be repaired in time, they need to hire a replacement. But just over a third (34%) of products do not offer any cover for pre-departure car hire, meaning some holidaymakers could face significant expenses before even setting off, Defaqto said. The analysis, carried out in early June, covered products providing breakdown cover in Europe, including 'standalone' policies purchased separately, cover as part of overall car insurance, 'short-term' policies for specific trips and cover included with bank accounts. Some holidaymakers abroad may find the police or local authority will dispatch an authorised recovery service. Defaqto found that one in six (16%) products do not include cover for this type of recovery, potentially leaving drivers with an unexpected bill. If a vehicle breaks down while abroad and cannot be fixed within 24 hours, many products will include 'journey continuation' cover. This pays towards alternative transport such as public transport or car hire. Just over a third (35%) of products only offer between £500 and £999 for these costs, Defaqto found. Nearly two-fifths (38%) of products restrict the number of breakdowns covered during the policy period. Mike Powell, a motor insurance expert at Defaqto, said: 'If you are going on holiday in Europe this summer, buying motor breakdown insurance may not be the first thing you think about. But if you are taking your own car, it is essential to understand what the policy covers so you are not hit with a large bill if things go wrong. 'While price is often a major factor in choosing a policy, it is even more important to look closely at the cover provided and the limits that apply. The cheapest policy may end up costing you more in the long run.' Here are some tips from Mr Powell for travelling around Europe by car: – Check your breakdown cover before you go Make sure the policy includes European cover and read the small print to understand what is included and what is not. – Know the local rules Each country has its own driving laws and requirements. Make a note of key contact numbers, including your insurer and local emergency services, and know what to do if you break down on a motorway. – Budget for extras If your cover limit is low, you might have to pay out of pocket for services such as towing, car hire or onward travel. – Keep your documents to hand This may include your driving licence, insurance certificate, logbook, passport and any relevant health cards or visas. – Consider getting the car serviced before the holiday A pre-trip check-up can help avoid motor breakdowns in the first place.
Auto Car
an hour ago
- Auto Car
Peugeot E-Traveller review
The old Peugeot E-Traveller was a credible electric MPV that showed real signs of promise when it launched five years ago. At a time when you couldn't buy an electric seven-seater, it catered to what would likely have been a select group who wanted an eco-friendly people mover to carry plenty of passengers and their luggage, hassle-free. You'll probably have ridden in one from your hotel to the airport, you just didn't know it. And yet for all its space and practicality, the old E-Traveller was hamstrung by such a short range it was barely good enough for quick jaunts around town. Its 50kWh battery could only muster a range of up to 148 miles (closer to 120 miles in the real-world) hence its use case as a family hauler or airport shuttle was dented. Peugeot is hoping to address these limitations with the updated E-Traveller, which has been given a new battery, refreshed look and updated interior technology to help it keep pace with rivals like the Ford E-Tourneo Custom, and the technically related Vauxhall Vivaro Life and Citroën ë-Spacetourer. Moreover, Peugeot will also have its sights trained on electric seven-seat rivals like the Kia EV9 and Volkswagen ID Buzz, which have grown in number since the E-Traveller hit the road. So does this newfangled electric MPV have enough quality to persevere in the people-carrying segment, and or is it still tied back by its van-based origins? Verdict Good Cavernous interior is spacious and flexible Well-equipped with usable tech Undercuts many seven-seat alternatives on price Bad Real-world range is poor Struggles over potholes and imperfections; fuss and fidget at higher speeds Cheap-feeling interior means it doesn't wear its price well Pros Available in both short and long-wheelbase form Larger battery than before Cons Long-wheelbase is more than five metres long Not that different to the Vauxhall and Citroën siblings The E-Traveller has been given a light refresh over its blunt-nosed predecessor to bring it into line with the rest of the French marque's passenger car range. As such, the E-Traveller boasts plenty of Peugeot design hallmarks which have come to signify the brand, such as the new logo and LED three-claw light signature that adorns the front fascia of all current models. Of course, there's only so much fettling Peugeot can achieve with Stellantis's large passenger van, which is near-identical to those sold by Vauxhall, Citroën and Toyota. It looks better than the outgoing version, and while you'll struggle to spot many differences between it and its Stellanits counterparts, it's unassuming and simple. And while it looks identical to the Expert on which it is based, it does look a bit more swish thanks to its alloy wheels and body-coloured bumpers – very posh. Modest styling tweaks aside, Peugeot has centred on bringing changes to the mechanical underpinnings of the E-Traveller, chiefly to the battery. Out goes the dated 50kWh unit and in its place sits a larger 75kWh lithium ion battery that promises a range of up to 217 miles, an increase of almost 70 miles over the previous-generation. Two trims are available: entry-level Active gets 17in alloys, a 10in touchscreen infotainment system and dual zone climate control. Range-topping Allure trim gets diamond cut 17in alloys, Peugeot's upgraded i-connect infotainment system with sat-nav, heated seats and a 180 degree camera. You can have the E-Traveller with five or eight seats, and in Standard or Long (for long-wheelbase) form. Pros Vast amounts of room for passengers and luggage Plenty of buttons and switches for secondary controls Cons Full of cheap, hard plastics Touchscreen could be crisper There really isn't anything that can come close to a van-based MPV when it comes to space and practicality. Our Long test car (eight-seat Standard also available) felt cavernous inside: even with three rows and eight seats there's a 989-litre boot. Lower the 60:40 split-folding third row and luggage capacity grows to a whopping 2400 litres. Remove both rows of rear seats and you have more than 4500 litres of load space to play with. Head room is good throughout, but leg room is a bit limited for adults in the very back, much like the seven-seat Kia EV9. The lofty driving position means you have a good view out, and there's a decent amount of adjustability in the seat. Hard, durable plastics are abundant, but for a big load lugging MPV it can be forgiven in this regard. Still, some more tactile materials on the dashboard wouldn't go amiss and would certainly help move the cabin away from its van roots. The new 10in touch-operated infotainment screen is easy to use on the move despite some latency issues. You can hop between different functions without fuss, but it could be quicker and graphically sharper. The dashboard itself is well conceived, with proper toggles and switches for the climate controls. You get plenty of cubby holes and charging ports for your phone, too. Pros Regenerative brakes are easy to control via the paddles on the steering wheel Cons Hamstrung by 2.2-tonne kerb weight and underpowered motor Brake pedal feels mushy Powering the front wheels is a 134bhp electric motor that also makes 192lb ft of torque, and while those figures would be suitable for most vans, in the big, heavy E-Traveller it's not very effective. You need only look at its 14.3sec 0-62mph time to realise that 134bhp isn't enough to haul its 2240kg kerb weight – even in sport mode it feels sluggish and slow. Building pace on a slip road takes time but it's fine on the motorway – just be wary that the range will plummet when doing 70mph plus. Speaking of which, the quoted range of 217 miles is more like 180 in the real-world, which does limit the E-Traveller's usability for families or airport shuttle fleets. The regenerative braking system is controlled using the paddles behind the steering wheel (like many Stellantis EVs) and it works pretty well overall. The highest trailing-throttle regen setting is a bit too forceful, hence we opted for the mid-rung setting when driving around town. Don't expect much feel from the brake pedal, which is a bit too long and soft for our liking. Pros Ride is settled around town Untroubled at motorway speeds, but expect more wind roar Cons Light steering offers little by the way of feel or feedback Unsettled at higher speeds with lack of control over lumps and bumps Noticeable thunk over potholes and imperfections Still here? In that case, you'll be pleased to learn that the E-Traveller is generally well-mannered to drive. At 5.3-metres long, it does feel more intimidating to thread through town than say, a Kia EV9, but its lofty seating position does give you a good view out. The steering is light and lacking in feedback, with lots of dead weight off-centre and there's little feel to it when pootling around town at slow speeds. It rides ok in urban settings, but on rural backgrounds it feels quite bouncy and unsettled, with the odd thunk over potholes and pronounced imperfections. Unladen and with only the driver on board, it feels underdamped, with lots of jostle and jounce when travelling at a reasonable pace on an unkempt road. Body roll abounds through corners, but that is to be expected of a long-wheelbase MPV with van-based foundations. On smoother roads at around 40mph it's settled, pliant and is generally easy to do miles in. It's untroubled at motorway speeds, too, just don't be surprised by an increase in wind noise as a result of the Peugeot's large frontal area. The E-Traveller's 100kW peak DC charging is a drawback, especially if you're reliant on the public network. 45 minutes for a 10-80% charge is less than ideal, and it can't match the sub-30 minute charging time of the ID Buzz, which can accept up to 185kW. That sort of slow charging speed might not be an issue for the panel van version, which will likely do short distances during the day and get charged at a depot overnight, but it is an issue for a family hauler. Then there's the elephant in the room: the price. Entry-level Active models start from £48,925, but our long-wheelbase Allure model came in at £54,440. Equipment levels are strong and you get acres of room inside, but the drive and range is no match for its SUV rivals. It undercuts the likes of the Kia EV9 (£65,035) and the quirky Volkswagen ID Buzz (£59,135) on price, but both can travel further on a charge, are equally capacious and far less austere inside. And what of the Peugeot E-5008? Surely, for private buyers at least, it makes more sense – it only costs around £400 more than the E-Traveller, but can be had with seven-seats, and it will do over 400 miles on a charge in big battery form. Verdict Good Cavernous interior is spacious and flexible Well-equipped with usable tech Undercuts many seven-seat alternatives on price Bad Real-world range is poor Struggles over potholes and imperfections; fuss and fidget at higher speeds Cheap-feeling interior means it doesn't wear its price well There will be a select few who will look upon the E-Traveller with interest and be taken by its vast cabin, versatile load-lugging capabilities and genuine ease of use. Indeed, its breezily spacious interior is the key selling point, and it still makes sense for businesses who need to clean-up their fleets with a zero-emissions vehicle. But has Peugeot addressed the issues with the E-Traveller's range? In short, not quite. It's fine for town jaunts, but beyond urban environments it becomes much less efficient and, fully loaded with passengers and luggage, you'll get even less mileage from its battery. For private buyers, we'd be inclined to look elsewhere. If you need minivan levels of room and practicality it makes a strong case for families of five or more, but SUV rivals are far easier to recommend. The Volkswagen ID Buzz and Kia EV9 might be dearer, the Kia particularly so, but they're greater range and general car-ness makes them a better buy than the Peugeot.
Times
an hour ago
- Times
The hi-tech crime gangs who can ship a stolen car abroad in hours
A surge in car thefts is being driven by organised crime groups using £20,000 high-tech devices to unlock vehicles that are then exported within hours, experts have warned. A lack of checks at ports means stolen cars are shipped abroad, increasingly appearing in Russia, where legitimate supplies are blocked by sanctions. In a report, the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi), a defence and security think tank, has recommended the creation of a national body to investigate car theft and recover vehicles shipped overseas. • 'You've got to act,' says Tory MP who took on London car thieves Elijah Glantz, the report's lead researcher, said organised crime groups had 'shopping lists' of makes and models, and vehicle-specific technology to bypass security systems. The gangs carry out identity and document fraud to secure leases or loans on desired cars before altering the vehicles' identities to resell them. Research by Rusi found a 75 per cent rise in car thefts, with rates increasing from 2.71 to 4.42 cases per 1,000 privately owned cars between 2014 and 2023 — the most significant increase since the 1990s, when the introduction of immobilisers led to a massive reduction. While 'joyriders' were once behind many thefts, the costs of the devices required to bypass modern security systems mean they have been replaced by organised criminals. Sellers in Poland and Bulgaria advertise devices to bypass the security of high-end makes including BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Lexus, Porsche and Lamborghini. The report, published on Thursday, says: 'The speed at which vehicles can be taken, their identities masked or changed and subsequently sold — as a whole or in parts — speaks to a more streamlined criminal landscape.' One police investigator said a vehicle could be shipped abroad with cloned number plates before the owner had been able to report it stolen. 'Port security remains problematic, characterised by a disproportionate focus on imports and inability to forensically examine exported vehicles and their parts,' the report says. 'The fixation on import controls leaves UK exports vulnerable, allowing millions of pounds' worth of stolen vehicles to flow undetected across the borders.' There has been a marked increase in stolen vehicles being tracked to Cyprus, the United Arab Emirates and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Demand for stolen cars in Georgia and Azerbaijan may be fuelled by demand from Russia as a result of sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine. 'Examples have emerged of vehicles vanishing from UK streets and reappearing in Moscow,' says the report. 'Vehicle theft in the UK represents a perfect storm of increasing domestic and international demand, compounded and exploited by innovative and organised criminals.' The National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service and Thatcham Research reported last week that the DRC is the most popular destination for stolen UK cars, accounting for 38.5 per cent of those traced abroad. A fifth were tracked to the UAE. While the number of stolen cars is increasing, police have been 'collapsing' their vehicle theft investigation teams. Forces such as the Metropolitan Police, which once had almost 100 vehicle crime investigators, have had their numbers dwindle to only a handful, says the report.
