Koenigsegg: The Cartoon, the Fire and the Fighter Jet Hangar

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

In 1994 a 22 year old from Stockholm decided to beat the McLaren F1. This is how he did it: a workshop in Olofström, a factory fire two weeks before Geneva, a disused Swedish Air Force base with a ghost on the wall, a Nevada highway at 447 km/h, and a car with no gearbox. The complete history of Koenigsegg, from The Pinchcliffe Grand Prix to the Jesko Absolut.

(00:00) Cold open

(00:56) Intro

(01:32) Act one: the origin

(05:22) Act two: the crisis

(11:14) Act three: the breakthrough

(18:16) The verdict

(20:04) Next week: Singer

Sources

Koenigsegg, company history: https://www.koenigsegg.com/history

Christian von Koenigsegg, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_von_Koenigsegg

Koenigsegg, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koenigsegg

McLaren F1, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McLaren_F1

Koenigsegg CC8S, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koenigsegg_CC8S

Ängelholm Helsingborg Airport, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%84ngelholm%E2%80%93Helsingborg_Airport

SlashGear, why all Koenigsegg cars have a ghost emblem: https://www.slashgear.com/1703093/koenigsegg-cars-ghost-emblem-reason/

Koenigsegg CCR, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koenigsegg_CCR

Koenigsegg CCX, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koenigsegg_CCX

Saab Automobile, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_Automobile

Koenigsegg One:1, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koenigsegg_One:1

Koenigsegg Jesko, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koenigsegg_Jesko

Top Gear, Jesko Absolut at Geneva 2020: https://www.topgear.com/car-news/geneva-motor-show-2020/new-jesko-absolut-fastest-ever-koenigsegg

Top Gear podcast, Absolut top speed simulations: https://www.topgear.com/car-news/podcast/koenigsegg-top-speed-record-simulations-put-absolut-beyond-500kmh

Motor1, Jesko Absolut 0 400 0 record, August 2025: https://www.motor1.com/news/768781/koenigsegg-jesko-absolut-record/

Koenigsegg Gemera, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koenigsegg_Gemera

Koenigsegg CC850, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koenigsegg_CC850

A Gentleman Car World production

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Trailer: The Gentleman Car World Podcast

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 16:13:58 GMT

In 1994, a twenty two year old from Stockholm decided to build the fastest car in the world. Every week, the real history behind one car brand or one car model. The fires, the near bankruptcies, the records, and the myths that need killing. First episode, Koenigsegg, out Tuesday. A Gentleman Car World production, narrated by David, an AI generated voice.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.