The Jesko, a street-legal track car known for its exceptional aerodynamics and powerful twin-turbo V8 engine, achieved a lap time of 2:56.97. This time eclipses the prior record of 3:04.83, held by a Porsche 911 GT3 RS MR.
Koenigsegg released an in-cabin video showcasing the record-setting lap, featuring factory test driver Niklas Lilja. The video offers viewers a dynamic perspective of the race, including a view from Lilja's helmet. Notably, the Jesko reached a speed of 288 km/h (179 mph) on the track's back straight.
The record-setting Jesko is an "Attack" specification model, designed for enhanced cornering grip, as opposed to the "Absolut" spec focused on top speed. It's noteworthy that the Jesko performed with 93 octane fuel, which is less potent than E85, indicating that the car wasn't at its full power potential.
Lilja mentioned that the Jesko was only operating at about 90% of its potential during the lap, as the session was intended for testing and marketing rather than setting a record. This suggests that the Jesko could potentially achieve even faster lap times if pushed to its limits. While a new record attempt is not currently planned, the prospect remains intriguing for racing enthusiasts and Koenigsegg fans alike.
Koenigsegg Jesko is a limited-production mid-engine sports car that was introduced at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, and completely sold out before the show ended. The 5.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine produces 1,280 horsepower (1,298 PS; 954 kW) at 7,800 rpm and 1,000 N⋅m (738 lb⋅ft) of torque between 2,700 and 6,170 rpm on regular gasoline and 1,600 horsepower (1,622 PS; 1,193 kW) and 1,500 N⋅m (1,106 lb⋅ft) of torque at 5,100 rpm on E85 biofuel.
Source: Koenigsegg