Koenigsegg claims records after one-handed speed runs
The Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut is now the fastest engine-powered production car in the world, but it still has to catch the Rimac Nevera R.
Most motorists couldn’t imagine what it’s like to hit 300km/h in a production car, let alone in less than 400 metres – and with one hand away from the steering wheel.
To celebrate Sweden's National Day, Koenigsegg test driver Markus Lundh was let loose in the brand’s Jesko Absolut hypercar, with the aim of breaking at least two records.
In his sights were the production car records for the fastest quarter-mile (402m) and half-mile (804m) times, propelled by the car’s twin-turbo 5.0-litre V8 engine, capable of churning out 955kW.
With his mobile phone in one hand recording the dashboard, Lundh completed the quarter-mile sprint in 8.54 seconds at 305km/h, before reaching the half-mile marker in just 12.76 seconds at 373km/h – all with just one hand on the steering wheel.
Koenigsegg claims both times were “all-out production car top speed records for both the quarter-mile and half-mile, as well as new non-EV production car records for both distances' times”.
However, last year Rimac claimed the electric Nevera R – which is a limited production model – was even quicker, with a quarter-mile time of 7.90 seconds, and a half-mile time of 12.26 seconds.
Regardless, the Jesko Absolut’s run was all the more impressive because it was not only done on an unprepared surface, but all power goes to the rear wheels.
For context, the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X – which produces 900kW and 1200Nm from its V8-powered rear wheels and electric motor-powered front wheels – last year completed the quarter mile in 8.68 seconds at a speed of 255.9km/h.
While it has not yet detailed what changes were made to the Jesko Absolut to achieve the rapid runs, Koenigsegg says the “performance was made possible by new software advancements that will be rolled out via OTA update to the entire Absolut fleet”.
