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Koenigsegg has reclaimed a key performance record in the hypercar world, edging out Croatian rival Rimac by less than a second after refining its Jesko Absolut with updated software.
The Swedish manufacturer announced that its twin-turbocharged, 1,600-horsepower V8-powered Jesko Absolut completed the 0-249-0 mph run in 25.21 seconds, surpassing the Rimac Nevera R’s previous mark of 25.79 seconds. The Jesko also set a 0-250-0 mph time of 25.67 seconds, again topping the electric hypercar by roughly half a second.
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The achievement came after Koenigsegg engineers recalibrated the car’s Light Speed Transmission and engine management system while adding a new torque control program that improves traction. Dubbed “Absolut Overdrive,” the update will be available to existing customers.
“That we achieve this level of performance with a production car utilizing a combustion engine with rear-wheel drive only — beating all four-wheel-drive electric cars in a straight line — is almost magical,” said company founder Christian von Koenigsegg.
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The record run took place August 7 at Sweden’s Örebro airfield with factory test driver Markus Lundh behind the wheel. The Jesko used was the same example that set Koenigsegg’s earlier record in 2024, underscoring the impact of the software improvements.
While the Rimac Nevera R produces a staggering 2,107 horsepower from its quad-motor electric drivetrain, the Jesko Absolut’s lighter weight and optimized aerodynamics give it a different kind of performance edge. The direct competition between the two highlights the evolving rivalry between high-performance electric vehicles and traditional combustion-engine hypercars.
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Koenigsegg’s latest achievement not only reclaims bragging rights in a tightly contested performance category but also reinforces its reputation for pushing engineering boundaries without abandoning its signature rear-wheel-drive, combustion-powered formula.
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