Koenigsegg Jesko rips around Top Gear test track, set up

Track-focused Jesko Attack nearly beats Michael Schumacher’s time in Ferrari FXX

Koenigsegg has come a long way since first showing off its supercar on Top Gear 20 years ago. Not only were its cars more powerful, they also featured new technology, high-revving engines and transmissions that offered lightning-fast shifts. When Top Gear got the chance to test the Jesko Attack at Dunsfold Airport, it’s no surprise that the Stig went on to set a new lap record for the Swedish supercar.

The Jesko represents the current pinnacle of the Koenigsegg product line. It’s powered by a 5.1-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that produces 1,280 horsepower on pump gas and 1,600 horsepower with E85. What’s special about this engine is not only its power, but also its 180-degree flat-plane crankshaft and its high speed of 8,500 rpm. What’s more, the engine spins from idle to 7,800 rpm in just 213 milliseconds, making it the fastest-revving production engine in the world.

Watch: Driving Koenigsegg’s 1,600 HP Jesko Attack looks like one wild ride

Before Koenigsegg hit the Top Gear test track, the record for a road-legal car was held by the Ferrari SF90 Stradale, with a time of 1:11.3. That puts it ahead of the Ferrari 488 Pista (1:12.7), Dallara Stradale (1:12.8) and Porsche 911 GT2 RS (1:13.4). Jesko Attack managed to cross the track in 1 minute and 10.9 seconds.

This time is only 0.2 seconds behind the Ferrari FXX and a number of other off-road vehicles such as the Caparo T1, Aston Martin DBR9, Pagani Zonda R and McLaren 720S GTX.

You might be surprised to know that the Jesko is “only” 0.4 seconds faster than the SF90 Stradale, despite making about 600 more horsepower, weighing 551 pounds (250 kg) less, and generating significantly more downforce. First, the SF90 Stradale has the advantage of being all-wheel drive, while the Jesko is rear-wheel drive. Additionally, the Top Gear track is so tight that the Stig can only go full throttle on a few occasions. If the track had more straights and more high-speed corners, Koenigsegg would probably be faster than the Ferrari.