The Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut is closing in on the title of the world’s fastest road car, with computer simulations suggesting it could break the 311 mph barrier.
Swedish hypercar pioneer Christian von Koenigsegg, known for his groundbreaking designs over the past two decades, is the mastermind behind this ambitious project. The Jesko Absolut is engineered with a singular purpose: to outpace every other road car on the planet.
Challenging Bugatti’s reign
Koenigsegg aims to dethrone Bugatti, the current holder of the fastest car title. Armed with data and determination, von Koenigsegg and his team are confident. “We have our supercomputer simulations. We’ve been to a German wind tunnel with the Jesko Attack and Absolut, so we know exactly how the aero works on the car,” von Koenigsegg shared with Top Gear Magazine.
Despite the inherent uncertainties of pushing speed boundaries, von Koenigsegg believes the Absolut could exceed their simulations. “We punched those numbers into the very advanced system of the chassis dyno,” he explained. The tests indicated that the car might surpass 311 mph, outpacing the 304 mph record set by Bugatti’s Chiron Super Sport in 2019.
Engineering marvel
The Jesko Absolut boasts a carbon-fibre body for strength and lightness, designed for maximum efficiency and aerodynamics. It features a supercharged 1,578-bhp flat-plane crank 5.1-litre V8 engine, delivering power through a nine-speed transmission. With 1,106 lb-ft of torque, the Jesko Absolut is engineered to achieve its record-breaking speed.
Von Koenigsegg acknowledges two primary challenges: finding a suitable location and sourcing the right tyres. The car requires a long stretch of road for gradual acceleration and deceleration without abrupt stops. Additionally, the tyres must withstand the immense forces at speeds over 300 mph.
In 2019, Bugatti used specially designed Michelin tyres and conducted their runs at Volkswagen’s Ehra-Lessien test track. Koenigsegg must overcome similar hurdles to achieve their goal.
The path forward
On paper, the Jesko Absolut appears ready to dominate the world’s fastest car record. With the right conditions and engineering prowess, Koenigsegg is poised to set a new benchmark in automotive history.