Just under a year ago, Carwow lined up a Bugatti Chiron Super Sport against the Koenigsegg Jesko Attack, a race the Bugatti won by the slimmest of margins. That result sparked backlash, with critics arguing the matchup was flawed because Koenigsegg’s straight-line weapon, the Jesko Absolut, hadn’t been used. Eleven months later, Mat Watson and his crew returned to settle the debate, this time with the Jesko Absolut present and factory test drivers from both Bugatti and Koenigsegg onboard to ensure a fair fight.
The first run was a half-mile rolling start, intended to reduce the traction advantage of the Bugatti’s all-wheel drive. Despite that, the Chiron surged ahead and won comfortably. For the second attempt, the Jesko was launched in second gear to limit wheelspin. Although the Bugatti initially jumped ahead, the Koenigsegg reeled it in and passed, with the Jesko driver describing a constant battle to manage traction as the car slid under full power.
A quarter-mile standing start swung the advantage straight back to the Bugatti, whose all-wheel drive left the rear-wheel-drive Jesko unable to compete off the line. The deciding run came over 800 meters. With more room to deploy its power and exploit its aerodynamics and higher top speed, the Jesko Absolut charged past the Bugatti just before the line, sealing the result. Even in defeat, Watson called the rematch a success, praising the effort to finally deliver a definitive answer.
Both cars produce 1,600 horsepower, but they approach performance very differently. The Bugatti pairs its quad-turbo W16 and massive torque with all-wheel drive and a near-two-ton curb weight, while the Koenigsegg relies on a lighter, rear-wheel-drive setup, slightly less torque, and extreme top-end efficiency to win once the road opens up.
