Koenigsegg’s latest 0-400-0 km/h record has not only reset the stopwatch but also reignited one of the most fascinating rivalries in the hypercar world. The Jesko Absolut’s blistering 25.21-second run at the Örebro airfield was a masterclass in precision and performance, reclaiming the crown from Rimac’s Nevera R and proving that even in the electric age, raw combustion power can still lead the charge.
Shortly after the record was announced, Mate Rimac, the man behind Rimac Automobili, posted a short but engaging video on Instagram to congratulate Christian von Koenigsegg and his team. Rather than expressing disappointment, Mate spoke with genuine enthusiasm about the ongoing competition. He called it a healthy battle that pushes both companies to reach new engineering heights. The video included a brief timeline of the rivalry, tracing its roots back to 2019 when the Koenigsegg Regera shocked the industry with a groundbreaking time. Since then, the two marques have exchanged the title several times, each iteration shaving fractions of a second off what was previously thought possible.
Mate Rimac’s attitude was not surprising for those who know his story. Born in Croatia in 1988, Mate started building his first electric car in a small garage, converting an old BMW E30 using improvised tools and parts. What began as a personal project grew into Rimac Automobili, now a globally respected manufacturer of cutting-edge electric hypercars and a key technology supplier to giants like Porsche, Hyundai, Aston Martin, and Bugatti, with whom Rimac now shares a joint company, Bugatti Rimac. His growth from a solo tinkerer to the head of a multi-billion-euro enterprise is one of the most remarkable success stories in the automotive industry.
In the Instagram video, Mate closed with a confident message. Smiling, he said Rimac would respond soon before signing off with two words that perfectly capture the spirit of the rivalry: Game On. Christian von Koenigsegg quickly replied in the comments with equal sportsmanship, writing, “Great Sport Mate 😊 Thank you and yes – Game On! 😎👻.”
What makes this duel so compelling is the contrast between the two contenders. The Jesko Absolut channels 1,578 horsepower from its 5.1-liter twin-turbo V8 exclusively to the rear wheels, relying on mechanical grip, advanced aerodynamics, and Koenigsegg’s new Absolut Overdrive software to achieve its record. The Nevera R, on the other hand, delivers 2,107 horsepower through four electric motors with instant torque and all-wheel-drive precision. These are two very different interpretations of speed, yet they are locked in the same battle, pushing each other forward with every run.
With Mate Rimac already hinting at a comeback and Christian von Koenigsegg openly welcoming the challenge, this is far from the final chapter. The next round in this rivalry promises to be even faster, and the only thing more exciting than the records themselves is the relentless drive of two visionaries who refuse to accept limits.
