Have you ever imagined having vegetable salad with chocolate chips in it or hosting a meditation class in the middle of a very busy street? If your answer is “never,” it’s because you already know that some things don’t just belong together. It’s the same reason why you would never expect a 1969 Dodge to vie for the “fastest car of 2023” position alongside Koenigsegg and Bugatti. Surprisingly, though, it did and there’s a good reason why.
Many years ago, it was almost impossible to have a car capable of driving 200 miles per hour. Today, however, not only has that record been broken, we have automobile models that have gone as far as surpassing 300 miles per hour. Chief among them is the Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut.
The Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut has clinched the title of the fastest car in the world, having reached 330 MPH in the beginning of 2023. That’s all thanks to its twin-turbocharged engine that produces total power and torque outputs of 1,600 horsepower and 1,106 pound-feet.
While these specifications are remarkable enough, there’s more. The manufacturers of the Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut went all out to make a statement by including what they called a Light Speed Transmission (LST). LST refers to its improved aerodynamic efficiency of 0.278 and its quick-shifting nine-speed transmission that makes it extra slippery. This car sold for almost $3million.
Besides the Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut, there are other cars that have been able to cross the 300 MPH line. The Bugatti Blonde is one of them, having been able to reach a top speed of 311 MPH. This car achieves an impressive 1,847 horsepower output as well as 1,365 pound-feet of torque, courtesy of its quad-turbocharged 8.0 liter W16 engine.
Only 40 Bugatti Bolide were produced, and they sold for about $4.4 million. However, this car isn’t roadworthy and has been restricted to track duty.
Now, how did the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona come into all of this? Well, it was the fastest car in its time and was the first to surpass the 200 miles per hour line. Although this car didn’t meet the criteria for roadworthiness, it opened the way for other street-legal cars like the Ferrari 40 to soar. The Ferrari F40 was able to reach a top speed of 201 MPH. It was made to challenge the 959 Porsche that could only reach 197 and became the first street-legal production car.
Let’s take it back to the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona, shall we? Although this car was as stylish as they come, it was primarily built to win both on-track and off-track races. It was named after one of NASCAR’s most prestigious tracks, Florida’s Daytona International Speedway, so that its high-speed capabilities are never lost on anyone.
Only 503 units of the 1969 Dodge were produced. More than just its speed, its aerodynamic design and unique styling have given this automobile a lasting legacy. With a tall rear wing and characteristic nose cone, it was truly the star of its time.
