A Malfunctioning ABS Sensor Caused The Koenigsegg One:1's Monster 'Ring Crash

It was clear from the damage to the Koenigsegg One:1 that crashed at the Nurburgring on Monday that it had experienced a hefty hit. Now though, thanks to an extensive analysis of the smash posted by Koenigsegg, we’re able to get a sense of the terrifying nature of the crash:

“The One:1 experienced front axle brake lock-up at approximately 170 km/h on a section of the track known as Fuchsröhre before hitting the fence at Adenauer Forst at approximately 110 km/h. The impact with the fence launched the car into the air for an estimated 22 meters while it turned 180 degrees before it landed on its left rear wheel and pivoted to land parallel with the fence.”

If you prefer you speed units the imperial way, we’re talking a brake lock-up at 105mph, and an Armco hit at almost 70mph. Ouch. Koenigsegg also confirmed there was a small fire due to the exhaust hitting carbonfibre body panels upon landing, with the driver quickly putting out the flames himself using an onboard mounted fire extinguisher.

The reason for the lock up? It’s all down to a faulty front-left ABS wheel sensor. As soon as it malfunctioned a warning light popped up on the dash, but Koenigsegg notes that it “may be difficult for the driver to see [the warning light] when he is wearing a helmet and concentrating on high-speed driving around the circuit.”

Unfortunately, this meant when the driver got to the heavy braking zone at Fuchsröhre, the ABS failed to trigger. The ABS system’s back-up feature did work however, keeping the rear wheels turning to prevent a spin - as evidenced by the perfect ‘number 11’ lines that went straight up to the crash site.

Amazingly, while much of the bodywork was destroyed and the front and rear subframes severely damaged, the carbonfibre monocoque emerged from the crash intact. Even the look-at-me scissor doors were still opening and closing properly after the accident, and the removable roof is still perfectly aligned. With all that in mind, the monocoque will “form the basis for the rebuild of the car in the near future, together with the engine, gearbox and many other systems.”

That rebuild will take some time however, so it’s going to be a while before team Koenigsegg is back at the ‘Ring chasing records. “Will we be back this year? That is also hard to say at this point, but we won’t say a definite ‘no’,” the company states. Here’s hoping we won’t have to wait too long to see the One:1 back in action at the Green Hell.