Huge testing crash for 4.4-million dollar Koenigsegg
We're all very aware that the Nürburgring Nordschleife is a very dangerous and scary place. That's part of the circuit's mystique and history; something that gives it the intimidating stature that it still holds today.
However, very rarely do we ever see that danger come to the fore during official manufacturer testing. That usually comes down to manufacturers bringing down full entourages of people to make sure that every square millimeter of their machine is in ship shape, before installing a Nürburgring pro behind the wheel.
Which makes this latest Koenigsegg One:1 crash a bit of a head-scratcher.
The 4.4-million and change hyper super mega car crashed heavily earlier today at the circuit's Adenauer Forst section, locking both front wheels before vaulting over the armco on the outside of the corner.
The Swedish manufacturer have since issued a press statement on the crash, confirming that it took place during preparation for a new attempt to take down the track's lap record.
“Koenigsegg has participated in Industry Pool testing for a week in each of the last two months, working primarily on vehicle setups both for ongoing vehicle development and for an attempt at a Nurburgring lap record at some time in the future,” said Koenigsegg.
“A Koenigsegg is an extreme performance car and must be tested accordingly. This is an inherently dangerous undertaking that must be conducted progressively and methodically, working point by point on all areas of our highly adjustable vehicles. Our primary concern is always driver safety and any testing is structured and conducted accordingly.
“This incident is confirmation of just how difficult it is to drive at this level on the world’s ultimate proving ground. Obviously we are dismayed with this development but pleased that our safety systems worked as designed to protect our driver.”
Absent from the release is any reference to what prompted the incident. Video footage shows two clear tyre marks on the run to the armco, despite the One:1's anti-lock braking feature. More information is expected to come out over time, but the possibility of a significant failure on board the One:1 is hard to look past.
Hopefully the team at Koenigsegg aren't shaken. The pursuit of the Nürburgring clock has become something of a tradition — something that fingers crossed is here to stay.