Koenigsegg Jesko: The Beast Set to Break 311 MPH – A New Chapter in Hypercar History
When it comes to pushing the boundaries of speed and performance, Koenigsegg is a name that resonates deeply within the automotive community. Fresh off the announcement of their revolutionary Chimera, the Swedish hypercar manufacturer is back in the spotlight with some tantalizing news about the Jesko. While an official top-speed run is still awaited, the Jesko Absolut has achieved a remarkable feat on a chassis dyno test. Recent revelations suggest this beast has zipped past 311 mph (500 km/h) before reaching its rev limiter in ninth gear, hinting at untapped potential for even faster speeds.
The Man Behind the Machine
In a riveting discussion on the Top Gear podcast, the visionary behind Koenigsegg, Christian von Koenigsegg, shed light on why an actual top-speed run hasn't materialized just yet. The devil, it seems, is in the details: securing the right tires capable of withstanding such velocities and finding a suitable, deserted stretch of road to truly let the Jesko Absolut spread its wings. Although specific dates remain elusive, Koenigsegg has assured enthusiasts that the much-anticipated run is on the horizon.
Setting New Benchmarks
Introduced in March 2020, the Jesko Absolut was declared by Koenigsegg as the fastest car the brand would ever produce. Their bold ambition? To obliterate the 300-mph barrier, thereby eclipsing the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport's already mind-blowing record of 304.77 mph. But speed isn't the Jesko Absolut's only claim to fame. This marvel has already captured several records, cementing its place as the fastest production car to both 250 mph and 400 km/h. Furthermore, no other vehicle can match its rapid acceleration and deceleration times in the 0-250-0 mph and 0-400-0 km/h tests.
The Quest for the Perfect Venue
The quest for a flawless location to unleash the Jesko Absolut’s monstrous 1,578 horsepower and 1,106 pound-feet of torque remains a topic of speculation. Christian von Koenigsegg suggested that it might happen on a closed-off section of road, potentially on the Autobahn. Known for its lack of speed limits, the Autobahn has previously hosted several high-speed attempts, like the Bugatti Chiron's 257 mph run. However, securing a closed section for a 300+ mph attempt introduces another layer of complexity, not to mention gaining approval from German authorities.
A Legacy of Speed
Koenigsegg has a proven track record when it comes to shattering speed records. Back in 2017, the Agera RS wowed the world by hitting 285 mph on a public roadway. A customer-owned Agera RS achieved an average speed of 277.9 mph over two runs on an 11-mile section of the Nevada highway, with Koenigsegg’s factory driver, Niklas Lilja, at the helm. Not to be outdone, the Chiron SS driven by Andy Wallace reached a blistering 304.77 mph in 2019. However, that attempt wasn’t Guinness-certified due to it being a unidirectional run at Germany's Ehra-Lessien test track.
As we eagerly await the Jesko Absolut's official top-speed run, it's clear that Koenigsegg is once again rewriting the rules of automotive performance. The groundwork has been laid, the stakes are high, and the anticipation is electric. Whether Koenigsegg will reclaim the crown as the fastest production car remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Jesko Absolut is an engineering marvel poised to redefine the limits of speed.