FYI: Koenigsegg’s groundbreaking Gemera redefines automotive engineering with its innovative drivetrain, combining luxury, power, and versatility in the first four-seater from the iconic Swedish automaker.
Koenigsegg Gemera: A New Horizon in Automotive Design
Koenigsegg, renowned for its hypercars, has embarked on a new engineering adventure with the release of the Gemera, a groundbreaking four-seater model. As Christian von Koenigsegg, the company’s CEO, elaborates in a detailed overview of Gemera’s drivetrain, this model poses unique challenges related to performance and packaging, marking a new frontier for the automaker.
Light Speed Tourbillon Transmission: A Technological Marvel
Derived from the Light Speed Transmission made famous by the Koenigsegg Jesko, the Gemera employs the reimagined Light Speed Tourbillon transmission. This advanced nine-speed gearbox innovatively uses synchro and flywheel technologies to execute gear changes that defy traditional numerical progression seamlessly.
Despite sharing design elements with its predecessor, the transmission has undergone significant repackaging to accommodate the Gemera’s four-passenger configuration without sacrificing interior comfort or cargo space.
Innovative Design Solutions: Integrating Powertrain and Packaging
An ingenious solution by the Koenigsegg team was to wrap the transmission around the engine, thus maintaining a low center of gravity and optimal weight distribution. This configuration, supported by "Cassettes"—special outriggers—directs power to the wheels using a series of clutches. This system not only eliminates the need for a traditional differential but also supports torque vectoring, enhancing handling and performance.
Hybrid Powertrain Excellence: The Core of Gemera’s Performance
In the absence of a conventional reverse gear, the Gemera relies on its hybrid powertrain, utilizing an electric motor on the front axle to manage reverse and electric drive operations. This single motor can also deliver propulsion to the rear wheels, offering a full electric drive experience.
A carbon fiber prop shaft efficiently transmits power from the engine to the front axle, where additional clutches within the front electric motor ensure torque vectoring is executed with precision and efficiency.
Originally conceptualized with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine paired with three electric motors for a collective output of 1,700 horsepower, the design has evolved in response to customer feedback. The production-ready Gemera now features a robust Twin-Turbo 5.0-liter V-8 engine, boosting output to a phenomenal 2,300 horsepower, thereby phasing out the three-cylinder variant.
Redefining Expectations: The Future of Koenigsegg
Koenigsegg’s foray into a new market segment with the Gemera exemplifies pioneering spirit in automotive design and performance. Offering unparalleled power and advanced hybrid technologies, the Gemera sets a new standard for luxury and sustainable performance within the hypercar market.
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Donald Smith, Editor of Automotive.fyi
