Koenigsegg Regera: 1500 BHP, One Gear, All Eyes In Geneva

Koenigsegg is a mere babe compared to the likes of Ferrari, Maserati, even Lamborghini, in the world of super high performance automobiles. Even so, in its relatively brief time of existence it has already given us quite a few models that even the grand old masters of the game would love to have in their lineups.

Its new Regera (“to reign” in Swedish), which makes its public debut at the Geneva Auto Show, is just the latest car to fit that description.

Described by some as a luxurious Agera, the new Regera boasts an interior quite unlike most Koenigseggs. The company traditionally offers cars with interiors which more closely resemble old sports prototype racing cars than, say, a sea of luxury leathers. The Regera’s interior, therefore, gets more in step with those of cars like the recently-terminated Bugatti Veyron. Other than a more regal presentation of the interior is a piece of gadgetry: Apple’s CarPlay dominates the interior’s electronic functions.

But as much as the Regera might attract you with its interior, its wild shape (I wouldn’t call it pretty, exactly, but it is attractive) and some of the coachwork’s details will grab you and never let go. The styling and body design are dominated by the air intakes in the flanks and a huge rear wing, and when the car is at rest, the unique Koenigsegg door treatment (similar to Lamborghini’s signature “scissor” doors, but not nearly as elegant) will just make you go think this is a spacecraft, not an automobile.

And then there’s the powertrain. The 5.0 liter twin-turbo V8 makes 1100 bhp on its own; add the trio of electric motors’ output, and peak power gets bumped up to an eye-watering 1500 bhp! To be honest, though, the power unit’s specs aren’t the most interesting part of the Regera’s drivetrain. To me, that distinction goes to the Koenigsegg Direct Drive transmission. It’s essentially a one-gear gearbox; there is a hydraulic coupling linking the engine’s crankshaft and the final drive. At very low speeds, this type of transmission can be very problematic; therefore, the electric motors provide the primary means of propulsion at speeds up to 30 MPH.

Koenigsegg says the Regera should be capable of a top speed of 249 MPH, with acceleration to match.

The company says only 80 Regeras will be built. How much would one cost?

Prices start at $1.89 million.

Yep, it’s definitely a car fit for a king.