Bugatti Chiron vs. Koenigsegg Jesko: An Exciting Clash of Power and Weight | Carscoops

      Would you prefer to drive home in a Bugatti or in a Koenigsegg?

      16 hours ago

      by Brad Anderson

      The French hypercar boasts a power advantage over its Swedish counterpart, but it also has a greater weight.

      A sophisticated all-wheel drive system enables the Bugatti to effectively transmit its power, unlike the Jesko.

      The Jesko tested here did not come equipped with the E85 engine upgrade that raises its output to 1,600 hp.

      The Bugatti Chiron Super Sport and the Koenigsegg Jesko Attack are among the most remarkable hypercars ever made, but which one is faster in a straight line? CarWow has addressed that question while celebrating its milestone of 10 million subscribers by bringing together a Chiron and a Jesko for a series of high-speed drag races.

      The Chiron Super Sport features an 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged W16 engine producing 1,578 hp and 1,180 lb-ft (1,600 Nm) of torque, which is distributed to all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. By hypercar standards, it is relatively heavy, weighing in at 1,995 kg (4,398 lbs).

      The Jesko Attack, on the other hand, is quite different. It is equipped with a high-revving 5.0-liter twin-turbo V8 generating 1,280 hp and 738 lb-ft (1,000 Nm) of torque. Notably, it is rear-wheel drive and employs Koenigsegg's proprietary Lightspeed transmission with nine gears. Although it has less power than the Chiron, it is lighter at 1,420 kg (3,130 lbs).

      In the initial race, the lighter Jesko struggled to transfer its power to the ground, proving no match for the Chiron. The Bugatti made a significantly better launch and quickly established a strong lead, winning with ease. The second race, however, was much closer.

      This time, the Koenigsegg managed to better put its power to the ground, and as their speeds increased, both cars remained closely matched. At the finish line, it was a photo finish, but the Chiron narrowly beat its Swedish opponent. Both cars completed the quarter-mile in 9.6 seconds.

      Two rolling races were also conducted. In the first, both vehicles started from 10 mph in first gear, while in the second race, they started from 62 mph in third gear. The Bugatti secured victory in the first race due to better traction, but the Koenigsegg easily triumphed in the second.

      Interestingly, while the Super Sport is the fastest variant of the Chiron currently available, the same does not apply to the tested Jesko. Koenigsegg offers an engine upgrade that allows for E85 fuel, boosting power to 1,600 hp; however, this Jesko was not fitted with the upgrade, which could potentially enhance its competitiveness against the Bugatti.