Christian von Koenigsegg clearly knows a thing or three about building fast cars. Take the Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut, for instance. Powered by a twin-turbocharged V8 that produces up to 1,600 hp, the Absolut holds several world speed records, and it will only run out of steam at an absolutely ludicrous 330 mph. But what inspired Von Koenigsegg to create such a monster?

A gearhead from an early age, Christian von Koenigsegg always had a thing for cars. But not just fast cars. The types of cars that will make you pour the milk down the drain just so that you can have an excuse to head off to the shops, to buy some more. Real driver’s cars. Cars that make you feel alive and connected to the machine.

These are 10 of the cars that have inspired (and are inspiring Von Koenigsegg) to build a ground-breaking car like the Jesko Absolut. And judging by the cars he has owned over the years, it is no wonder things have turned out as they have.

We take a look at some of the cars that Christian von Koenigsegg have owned since he started to drive, to his current daily. And with a line-up like this, it is no wonder Von Koenigsegg gifted the world the Jesko Absolut.

10

Suzuki Swift GTi

Power: 101 hp

According to some reports, Christian von Koenigsegg’s first car was a Suzuki Swift GTi. And it makes perfect sense. The small and light Japanese hatch, weighing in at around 1,760 pounds, is powered by a 101-hp, 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine. The Suzuki engine may be small in capacity, but it is big in performance, with twin overhead camshafts and a 16-valve head. The small hatch can complete the 0-60 mph dash in less than nine seconds, and go on to a top speed of 112 mph, and a five-speed manual gearbox sent the drive to the front wheels (a 4WD version was available in Japan). The Swift was a great first car to kick off the career of a man that would go on to create 330 mph mega-cars.

9

Mazda Miata

Power: 116 hp

Christian von Koenigsegg bought a Mazda Miata in the ’90s, and he and partner Halldora spent many miles exploring Swedish B-roads in the 1.6-liter, 116-hp roadster. He actually sold the Miata at a stage. But an work associate came across the very same Miata, decades later, and Von Koenigsegg bought it back, at a bit of a premium price. He has been quoted as saying that, if he had only one tank of petrol left and one car to use it in, that car would be the Miata. He has also said that the Mazda is the perfect example of what a performance car should be, offering all the driving thrills, even with just 116 hp under the hood.

8

Volvo XC90

Power: 455 hp

As a family man, even Christian von Koenigsegg sometimes needs to swap that great-to-drive two-seater or GR Yaris for a more practical transport solution. And this ‘practical’ box is apparently ticked by a Volvo XC90 SUV. Between Christian and his wife, they sometimes have to give their two sons a lift, along with luggage. And for this purpose, the XC90 fits the bill perfectly. Thankfully, with 455 hp in the game, Christian will at least feel right at home when he pins the accelerator to the carpet. Safe as houses, spacious and luxurious, the Swedish Volvo is just the (practical) ticket for a Swedish millionaire.

7

Mini Cooper S JCW

Power: 231 hp

The Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works is, by all accounts, a go-kart for the road, which also happens to have 231 hp of BMW TwinPower 2.0-liter turbocharged engine under the hood. The Cooper S JCW gets an even stiffer suspension than the ‘S’, with kart-like agility in the corners. The JCW is available with a six-speed manual gearbox, or a six-speed Steptronit automatic ‘box, but we’ll bet Mr Von Koenigsegg opted for the stick shift in the Mini he is said to have owned.

6

Lotus Esprit V8

Power: 350 hp

A performance car collection without a Lotus of sorts? Nope, that is just not on. Christian von Koenigsegg is on the same page, and is said to own a Lotus Esprit V8. And, the Lotus Esprit V8 may have served as the perfect canvas to create mega-cars from, combining a lightweight design and twin-turbocharged V8 power in one package. The Esprit was far from perfect, and some initial quality issues plagued the car. But with 350 hp and a 0-60 mph sprint time of less than five seconds, the Esprit ticked all the performance boxes. Koenigsegg still uses the same basic recipe for its cars… twin-turbocharged V8s and light weight, but with a raft of innovations (patents), good build quality and bespoke designs added to the mix.

5

Ferrari 575 Maranello

Power: 515 hp

Some say that you haven’t owned a proper sports car until you’ve owned a Ferrari V12 sports car. Christian von Koenigsegg is said to have ticked that box with a Ferrari 575 Maranello, powered by a naturally aspirated V12 with 515 hp hiding under a long hood. With its Formula One-style automated manual gearbox, the Maranello is a performance machine of note, and it will sprint from 0-60 mph in just over four seconds. The Maranello can do more than 200 mph, and the glorious V12 engine happily spins to 8,000 rpm, providing all the rights sounds and feel.

4

Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS

Power: 503 hp

Halldora von Koenigsegg, Christian’s better half, works with her husband as the chief operating officer of the Koenigsegg Automotive company. Halldora apparently gets around town in a Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS, which Christian surely has also had a go in (we’d expect nothing less). The hybrid Porsche produces 503 hp, and it completes the 0-60 mph sprint in just three seconds. Christian and his Icelandic wife Halldora clearly share a passion for cars, building the Koenigsegg empire side-by-side. Back in the day, when they were students, Christian and Halldora used to blast around town in a topless Mazda Miata, so the Porsche Targa is right up their alley.

3

Tesla Model S P85

Power: 416 hp

Electric vehicles are huge in Sweden. In 2024, nearly 70% of all new cars sold in that country were EV models, according to Clean Technica. Christian von Koenigsegg was an early adopter too, and the first EV parked in his garage was a Tesla Model S P85. The first-generation Tesla Model S P85 has a single electric motor powering the rear wheels, delivering 416 hp. It could sprint from 0-60 mph in less than five seconds. More recently, Koenigsegg apparently traded the Model S in for the latest Tesla Model 3… a car that he has praised as the best EV daily on the market.

2

Toyota GR Yaris

Power: 268 hp

This is what the creator of 1,600-hp mega-cars drives on a daily basis: the Toyota GR Yaris. Christian von Koenigsegg is apparently on his second GR Yaris, and he really enjoys hustling the 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder hatch with 268 hp on tap around on Swedish roads, on his daily commute. Automatic gearbox for traffic? For what? He much rather prefers the GR’s six-speed stick shift.

Sadly, the spicy GR Yaris never made it to the USA, but local fans can get them some three-cylinder turbocharged magic in the GR Corolla… it’s the same engine that powers the smaller Yaris.

1

Zagato AGTZ Twin-Tail

Power: 300 hp

It may seem that Christian von Koenigsegg likes his private cars fast, involving and fun to drive, but not necessarily exotic. He gets a good dose of exotic cars with his own Koenigseggs, of course. But the beautiful Zagato AGTZ Twin Tail is the exception to that rule. Based on the Renault Alpine A110, and a tribute to the 1969 Alpine A220 Le Mans racing car, only 19 bespoke Twin Tails will be made. The car features a standard tail section, but a longer section seamlessly attaches to turn the beautiful machine into a ‘Long Tail’. The cabin is a modern Alpine A110, and the 1.8-liter turbocharged four-pot engine delivers 300 hp.That’s less than 20% of the power delivered by Koenigsegg’s own Jesko Absolute. But we have to tip our hat to Christian on this one… what a machine this is, and one that will surely provide him with lots of driving pleasure.