Koenigsegg remains committed to a top-speed attempt with the Jesko Absolut, yet it is concurrently setting new benchmarks with the track-oriented Jesko Attack. This hypercar has recently claimed the title of the fastest production vehicle at the renowned Laguna Seca. On August 18, it conquered the demanding 2.2-mile circuit in a mere 1 minute and 24.86 seconds. This marked not only the hypercar's inaugural visit to Laguna Seca but also the debut for the driver, Koenigsegg development test driver Markus Lundh, who had never before experienced the 66-year-old Californian track. Despite the unfamiliar terrain for both the driver and the vehicle, the Jesko Attack surpassed the Czinger 21C by a narrow margin of 0.58 seconds. Interestingly, the Czinger 21C had just secured a production car lap record at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, outpacing the Hennessey Venom F5 by 0.2 seconds.
Grueling onboard footage captures Markus Lundh navigating the challenging Laguna Seca Raceway, including its infamous Corkscrew. The auditory experience is provided by a twin-turbo 5.0-liter V-8 engine, which delivers 1,280 horsepower. When fueled by E85, this output surges to a robust 1,600 hp, with Koenigsegg claiming an impressive torque of 1,106 pound-feet. This is not the first record for the Jesko Attack; in late 2023, factory test driver Niklas Lilja set a new benchmark at the Gotland Ring in Sweden, completing the lap in 2 minutes and 56.97 seconds, nearly eight seconds faster than the previous record held by a Porsche 911 GT3 RS MR.
The distinctiveness of the Attack version is evident with its large rear wing, contrasting with the Absolute's pair of fins. The high-speed variant has also established a record by accelerating from 0 to 249 mph (400 km/h) and back to 0 in 27.83 seconds, outperforming the Rimac Nevera by 1.33 seconds. However, a new, more powerful and lighter Nevera R from Rimac could soon challenge this record. The most anticipated record, however, is the top speed. Koenigsegg's calculations suggest that the Jesko Absolut will easily exceed the 300-mph mark. A recent chassis dyno test indicated a potential 311 mph before reaching the rev limiter in ninth gear, suggesting there is still room for improvement.
The uncorked Bugatti Chiron Super Sport achieved 304.77 mph, but this was in a single direction, preventing it from being recognized by Guinness. Nonetheless, companies like Koenigsegg, Hennessey, and SSC are keen to surpass this mark. Bugatti has ceased pursuing speed records, yet its sixteen-cylinder Tourbillon remains formidable with a top speed of 276 mph.
