Deep Dive Why Koenigsegg reinvented the manual transmission for the CC850

Debuting at the 2022 Monterey Car Week in August, the Koenigsegg CC850 is the first production reworking of the Swedish Koenigsegg, and one of its highlights is its one-of-a-kind transmission.

The CC850 uses a version of the Koenigsegg Jesco 9-speed Lightspeed transmission, but with a new Engage Shifter System (ESS) that turns the automatic transmission into a 6-speed manual (although the 9-speed gear (although it retains its fully automatic mode with the 9-speed gears). This Engineering Explained video takes an in-depth look at Koenigsegg's reinvented manual. [The ESS gearbox has a clutch pedal like a conventional manual, but it is wired, and instead of one clutch, the ESS has seven. These clutches perform gear selection, eliminating the need for shifter forks and synchros. Also, because there is no flywheel, the engine is directly connected to the transmission.

The clutches span two shafts. In automatic mode, one clutch on each shaft engages, transmitting power to the rear wheels and allowing all nine forward gears without the need for a very complex shifting mechanism. Like the clutch, the shifter is a biwire system.

In the CC850, the transmission can also be manually shifted by moving the shift lever with the gate, similar to a conventional manual gearbox, and all seven clutches are released when the clutch pedal is depressed. Two clutches are still required in this case, but in this case the shift lever position sensor controls the first clutch, and depressing the clutch pedal controls the second clutch.

The ratios corresponding to each gear number also vary depending on the drive mode. For example, in circuit mode, the transmission starts with the second gear ratio as first gear, but switches to the third gear ratio when the car starts to drive. The spread of ratios is effectively tightened without having to physically switch gears.

As for reversing, it depends on whether the car is in automatic or manual mode. The driver uses the clutch pedal in manual mode and not in automatic mode. The transmission knows that the car is in automatic mode because reverse is located directly above drive in the shift pattern.

The clutch pedal is also biwired and designed to simulate the feel of an analog left pedal, although it has no mechanical connection to many physical clutches. Its feel is reproduced by software based on conventional manual parameters. Even the real stall is reproduced.

In other words, you get the convenience of an automatic and the feel of a manual in one transmission. The gap between the ratios could be larger with six gears in manual mode compared to nine in automatic mode, but this is not a concern since the tighter ratio settings in track mode. Koenigsegg has already announced that it will increase production of the CC850 to meet strong demand.