Fake instead of V8 power: This Koenigsegg Jesko replica drives with a Toyota engine
Image source: YouTube/NHẾT TV
What looks like a genuine Koenigsegg Jesko, one of the most extreme hypercars in the world with up to 1,600 hp and a price tag in the millions, turns out to be an optical illusion on closer inspection. Because in Vietnam, a "Jesko" rolls along the roads that does not come from Sweden - and instead makes do with a rather inconspicuous Toyota engine.
How is this possible? With a lot of handicraft work, amazing attention to detail - and a lot of Internet hype.
Appearance of the fake Jesko: a YouTube star from Vietnam
The car was shown on the YouTube channel NHẾT TV and has been clicked on millions of times. At first glance, you might actually think it was a genuine Koenigsegg Jesko - one of the rarest and most expensive driving machines of our time. The proportions, the design and even the wheels are very reminiscent of the original.
But if you look closely - or listen for a moment - you quickly realize that this is not a V8 BiTurbo monster, but something completely different.
What's really under the hood: Toyota instead of Koenigsegg
Instead of the original Koenigsegg engine with up to 1,600 hp, a comparatively tame Toyota engine from a Corona provides the propulsion here. The Toyota Corona - a mid-range model that is hardly known in Europe - was built in Asia as a solid everyday car.
What is actually going on under the fake hood has not been analyzed down to the last detail, but the power output is unlikely to be more than 100-130 hp - roughly what you would expect for a city runabout. The replica is therefore a sensation in purely visual terms - but rather harmless in terms of driving dynamics.
Why do you do this?
The trend towards supercar replicas is nothing new, especially in Southeast Asia. Whether Lamborghini, Ferrari or even Koenigsegg - in countries such as Thailand, Vietnam or Indonesia, custom-built replicas are being created time and again that come amazingly close to the original. The reasons for this are:
Extreme import taxes on luxury vehicles
Strong enthusiasm for European super sports cars
Technical know-how in the tuning scene
Favorable manufacturing costs for body construction & plastic parts
Some build such vehicles out of passion, others to generate reach on social media - which worked brilliantly in this case.
The details: Jesko on a low budget
The Vietnamese Jesko replica is presumably based on a converted production vehicle with a front engine, which in itself is a massive difference to the original architecture. Nevertheless:
Koenigsegg-like body parts modeled
Headlights, tail lights and air ducts copied true to detail
Interior and wheel design visually adapted
The effort behind it is enormous - even if the materials and proportions cannot keep up with a real Jesko on closer inspection. On the other hand, the construction probably cost significantly less than a million euros - in contrast to the original, which can easily cost over 3 million euros.
Legal gray area? Yes - but far away from Sweden
The big question is: What does Koenigsegg have to say? So far there has been no public statement. However, the reality is that such replicas regularly appear - usually far away from Europe, and without being sold as genuine branded products. As long as there is no commercial deception, the legal consequences are often limited.
However, even a replica of this quality will never be approved for road use in Europe or the USA, as the safety and emission standards are not met.
Conclusion: Jesko? Only for the eye - not for the gas pedal
What masquerades on YouTube as a Koenigsegg worth millions is actually a clever fake with charm. The replica of the Jesko from Vietnam impressively demonstrates what is possible with creativity and craftsmanship - even if it is not a Swedish powerhouse under the hood, but a well-behaved Toyota four-cylinder engine.
For real petrolheads, this is probably sacrilege. For everyone else: an amusing story about dreams, deception and TikTok fame on four wheels.
