Back in 2020, Koenigsegg was ready to unveil their latest concept at the Geneva Motor Show, the Gemera, their first four-seater hypercar, or Megacar as Christian von Koenigsegg called it, but unfortunately, days before the opening of the Geneva Motor Show everything was canceled, no visitors were allowed into the halls, and the official press conference had to be held as a streaming, virtual presentation … but that didn’t deter from the impact this fighter grey Megacar with that stunning, bright yellow interior, would have on the world.
But it would take the development team at Koenigsegg over three years to design and create the innovative powerplant and spacious cabin that can seat four adults inside a car that should still look and feel like a two-door hypercar, and make no mistake, those trademarked dihedral synchro-helix actuation doors are still there on this Gemera, only larger when compared to the two-seat models from Koenigsegg, early July 2023 the Gemera is finally ready as a production prototype, and Koenigsegg is about to start building this amazing Megacar in their new Gripen Atelier, which consists of 11,000 m2 of development, design, production, office, and showroom space dedicated to the Gemera lineup and future models, bringing the total footprint of Koenigsegg facilities to 30,000 m2. The Gripen Atelier enables Koenigsegg to efficiently develop and nourish the Gemera program in parallel with its two-seater lineup.
Christian von Koenigsegg, founder, and CEO of Koenigsegg, says, “We are thrilled to inaugurate the Gripen Atelier and announce the launch of the Client Specification Gemera, a truly groundbreaking Megacar. Boasting numerous exciting updates and enhancements over the pre-series versions, the Client Specification Gemera sets new benchmarks for the industry.”
As the world’s first 4-seater Megacar, defined by its awe-inspiring power of over 1 megawatt, the Gemera was already a striking feat of engineering. However, the Client Specification version takes it even further with pioneering advancements. Initially, the plans were to incorporate the Koenigsegg Direct Drive system into the Gemera, as showcased in the 2020 Gemera show car and featured in the first running prototypes. This ingenious and unique solution, successfully implemented in the Regera program, offered a perfect blend of efficiency, power, and drivability.
However, during the development process, the Light Speed Transmission (LST) was introduced in the acclaimed Jesko, which delivers unparalleled excitement and performance. Its ability to remove the flywheel and clutch from the engine elevates driver engagement and exhilaration to unprecedented levels.
“We could not resist exploring the possibility of incorporating these remarkable features and benefits into the Gemera production model, leading us down an exciting new development path — the Light Speed Tourbillon Transmission (LSTT),” explains Christian.
To complement the engine and the LSTT, the R&D team has also developed the “Dark Matter” E-motor – an 800 hp, 1250 Nm patent-pending Raxial Flux E-motor that is an evolutionary leap in electric propulsion, representing the world’s most powerful automotive-grade E-motor with 6-phase technology. One Dark Matter is now paired with the LSTT, instead of 3 Quarks E-motors with the Direct Drive system. This makes the drivetrain lighter, smaller, and even more engaging. The LSTT four-wheel drive system with four-wheel torque vectoring can be powered by either the 800 hp Dark Matter E-motor or the twin-turbo TFG, or a combination of the two, resulting in a maximum output of 1400 hp and 1850 Nm.
Thanks to its new lighter electric propulsion system and optimized use of the TFG’s rev range with the LSTT, the Gemera’s acceleration and performance have been significantly improved compared to the previous version which was already extremely well-performing and fast. The Client Specification Gemera not only retains its inherent qualities but also adds the lightness and responsiveness LST in the form of the LSTT. “We added ‘Tourbillon’ to the name of the LST, as this mechanism represents the automotive equivalent of a high-end Swiss watch and is simply beautiful,” explains Christian von Koenigsegg.
Designing a transmission that accommodates four seats, a mid-engine position, and electric propulsion, and still manages to provide nine gears, torque vectoring, and four-wheel drive at a lower weight than ever seen before required immense creativity and innovation. In the spring of 2020, the world witnessed the introduction of the remarkable Koenigsegg Gemera concept. Now, Koenigsegg unveils the Client Specification Gemera and its birthplace, the Gripen Atelier, at the Koenigsegg Campus in Ängelholm, Sweden.
Even so, we have yet another thrilling announcement—the Koenigsegg Gemera HV8 (Hot V8) version. The HV8 elevates the Gemera beyond any Hypercar or Megacar and takes everything to the next level. Before we came up with the LSTT, it was impossible to believe we could fit a mid-engined V8 configuration in the Gemera, given the large occupant space in comparison to the compact size of the Gemera. However, the layout of the LSTT allowed us to do it. To make it happen, we had to convert the Jesko V8 into a so-called Hot V8 where the exhaust exits at the top center, but otherwise, it is very similar to the Jesko engine.
Combining the magnificent sound, responsiveness, and power of the Jesko V8 with the daring engineering of the Gemera truly creates a new breed. With this new engine configuration, the Gemera boasts an astounding 1500 hp from the HV8 in addition to the 800 hp provided by the Dark Matter E-motor, resulting in a total of 2,300 hp and 2,750 Nm of torque – a new world record for a production car.
“The Gemera HV8 is not only the most powerful and extreme production car on the planet Earth, with an astonishing 1,11 hp per kg, but it is also the most practical and user-friendly sports car ever created. Its incredible response, handling, engine sound, crisp transmission, spacious interior, and four-wheel-drive systems combine to create an unprecedented and unparalleled driving experience, ready to set numerous records of performance around tracks and in straight lines. We are extremely proud to have brought the Gemera HV8 to life and very much look forward to delivering this new level of performance and technology to our esteemed clients and fans,” says Christian.
The Gemera will start production in the Gripen Atelier at the end of 2024, with customer deliveries in the first part of 2025.