Koenigsegg Regera debuts in Geneva with 1,500+ hp

Koenigsegg_Regera_front

While everyone is fixated on the Bugatti Chiron, Koenigsegg is looking to steal the spotlight away from the 1,500 PS hypercar with the production version of its Regera. If you thought the Chiron was a feast of numbers, the Regera just might give it a run for its money.

According to Koenigsegg, the production-spec version (limited to just 80 units) you see here receives over 3,000 changes from the concept that debuted at last year’s Geneva Motor Show. Obviously, detailing every single one of them will take some time, so we’ll focus on the important bits.

The highlight here is the patent-pending Koenigsegg Direct Drive (KDD) system, which is developed to eliminate the weight, complexity and mechanical losses that come with a traditional gearbox. As the name suggests, the system features a direct drive to the car’s rear axle from the combustion engine.

Compared to last year’s concept, the system now gains from several enhancements. Here, Koenigsegg has developed a clutch-slip mechanism that uses the hydraulic coupling (dubbed HydraCoup) to convert torque at medium or high speeds during fast acceleration.

Koenigsegg_Regera_rear

This allows the combustion engine, a twin-turbo 1,100 hp/1,250 Nm 5.0 litre V8, to build its revs and power, thereby giving the sensation of a traditional downshift with the associated aural enjoyment, even without the traditional gearbox.

The system can be controlled via shifters on either side of the steering wheel. While the left paddle is used to enhance the regenerative braking effect in recharging the battery pack, the right paddle is used to activate the hydraulic coupling’s “downshift” operation.

For greater impact, three axial flux electric motors are fitted – one on each rear wheel providing direct electric drive, and another on the crankshaft that gives torque-fill, electrical generation and starter motor functionality.

The motors work in tandem with the twin-turbo V8, providing an additional 700 hp and 900 Nm of propulsion. Don’t go calling the car the H-word though, because company boss Christian von Koenigsegg is “not a fan of hybrids,” hence why he developed the KDD, which overcomes the fallacies of a traditional hybrid vehicle.

Koenigsegg_Regera_side

Put together, the Regera’s system outputs over 1,500 hp and over 2,000 Nm of torque. That is enough for the Regera to make the century sprint in 2.8 seconds, 0-200 km/h in 6.6 seconds, 0-300 km/h in an eye-watering 10.9 seconds and 0-400 km/h in a blistering 20 seconds. Sadly, the acceleration from 150 to 250 km/h takes 3.9 seconds, a little slower than the concept.

Powering the electric motors is a 4.5 kWh battery pack. The battery pack is capable of providing 525 kW of discharge and up to 200 kW of recharge, and has a power density of 800 volts, making the Regera the world’s first 800 V production car.

The battery pack also boasts a weight loss of 25 kg compared to the battery in the previous concept vehicle, tipping the scales at 90 kg. It also features a new external DC charger, smaller 800 V AC compressor and a new compact 800 V DC/DC converter.

Koenigsegg_Regera_09

Such a high-performance battery pack will require a lot of cooling. As traditional cooling methods (using cooling pipes) aren’t able to meet Koenigsegg’s requirements, the company has opted for a sealed unit featuring optimised local coolant flooding across all critical heat-sensitive elements.

The powertrain isn’t the only standout on the Regera. Robotised hydraulics in the form of the car’s ‘Autoskin’ that automatically opens up the front luggage door, both driver and passenger Dihedral Synchro Helix Doors (now with proximity sensors) and the massive rear engine door, all controlled via the remote key or centre console inside the car. Inside, you aren’t devoid of luxuries either. You get an overhead monitor, Apple CarPlay, inductive charging for your smartphone, heated and electric-power adjustable seats.

The only thing we need now is a head-to-head competition between the Koenigsegg Regera and Bugatti Chiron. Among the two heavyweights, which one gets your vote?

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Gerard Lye

Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard’s strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

 

Comments

  • aqeef on Mar 01, 2016 at 3:32 pm

    Christian von Koenigsegg you bloody genius. Koenigsegg over Bugatti all day.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 1
  • tokmoh. on Mar 01, 2016 at 3:46 pm

    Koenigseggegegggegegegeegegeggggggggeeeggggg definitely, Swedish metal powaaaaaaah

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 1
  • vios with GT wing & fengtau music > all of them.
    Godcar jangan persoal

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 7
  • even koenigsegg can build their own car with their own design….why malaysian company still rebadge car

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 5
  • stasta on Mar 02, 2016 at 10:32 am

    imagine this car is twice as powerful as a pagani.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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