BREAKING: Koenigsegg Regera Retakes 0-249-0-MPH Record

The Koenigsegg Regera, a 10-year-old hypercar, has retaken the world records for going from 0-250-0 mph with a time of just 29.6 seconds and from 0-400-0 kph with a time of 28.81 seconds. That's astonishing, especially since the far more modern Rimac Nevera had recently stolen these records and several others. In the process, Koenigsegg has set at least four new records, but possibly as many as six.

So how did Koenigsegg retake the record? Is this a specially modified version with more power and better aero? Is it a prototype for something else? No. The answer is far simpler.

Since the Regera's release in 2014, tire technology has improved, and the surface used for this record happens to be smoother than previous runs.

Koenigsegg slapped on a new set of Michelin Cup 2 R tires, found a surface in better condition than the derelict airfield on which its last record was set, and set the driver on his way.

Why set these new records with a car that is no longer on sale or in production? "Because it can!" said Koenigsegg. "Because it is still the King reigning supreme in today's super competitive automotive landscape, and that is something that should be celebrated with a new record."

The car set the following times, all of which were verified by Racelogic:

• 0-250-0 mph: 29.6 seconds
• 0-250 mph: 21.35 seconds
• 250-0 mph 8.25 seconds
• 0-400-0 kph: 28.81
• 0-400 kph: 20.68 seconds
• 400-0 kph: 8.13 seconds

It seems that Rimac CEO Mate Rimac was aware that his friend and idol Christian von Koenigsegg would be chasing the records once again because of a recent Facebook post in which he uploaded a photograph of him and von Koenigsegg and wrote, "Still friends. Game on..."

We don't think Rimac will try for this record again; its sights are set on the Nurburgring.

Koenigsegg's new record was set at the Orebro Airport Runway near the Swedish capital of Stockholm, which has a runway length of just over two miles. We'd love to see what the Regera could do with more space, but the Jesko Absolut is next in line for a record run. That car should be even quicker and faster, and we suspect a run will take place soon.

The first production Jesko, an Attack model, left the factory just a few weeks ago. It'll be time to get excited once we start seeing Absoluts leaving Angelholm.

In the meantime, let's just sit back and appreciate that a decade-old combustion-powered hypercar just owned the world's fastest, quickest, and most advanced electric car to date.

Once again, Mr. von Koenigsegg, thank you for putting such a big smile on our faces. We salute you.