Limited production supercars are often distinguished from traditional high-performance sports cars by their unique technology, components, and superior performance.
The Porsche 918, Ferrari La Ferrari, and McLaren P1 achieve their supercar status with cutting-edge aerodynamics, exceptional horsepower (near 1000 hp), extensive use of carbon fiber for outstanding lightweight strength, and million-dollar price tags.
The 2020 Koenigsegg Regera boasts all these features but has a few others that vault it into the top 2 percent of the supercar class: the hypercar category with competition from the likes of the Aston Martin Valkyrie and the Bugatti Chiron.
The most distinctive feature of the Regera is the Koenigsegg Direct Drive, a groundbreaking technology that eliminates the traditional gearbox, making the car lighter and more efficient and helping it achieve a record 0-400-0 km/h hour time of 22.87 seconds. But there is more.
Koenigsegg Regera Hybrid Powertrain
Koenigsegg equipped the Regera with one of the most exclusive powertrains of any exotic hypercar. The Direct Drive system includes a twin-turbocharged 5.0-liter V8 that produces 1,100 hp and works in concert with three electric motors. A 620-volt, nine-kWh, water-cooled battery pack powers each motor. Koenigsegg claims the configuration is the most power-dense battery pack found in any production car.
The crankshaft motor produces 215 horsepower while driving the differential directly through a fluid coupler, and it also acts as a starter motor and generator. The rear-wheel electric motors each make 241 horsepower and power the wheels through half shafts, allowing for torque vectoring to improve handling and steering response.
The Regera's total power output is 1,500 hp.
Related: Here Are 10 Of The Fastest Hybrid Hypercars Ever Made
Koenigsegg Direct Drive System
Although a CVT automatic transmission delivers smooth acceleration without disruption from gear shifts, the Koenigsegg Direct Drive system, without a transmission, is more efficient, cutting power losses in half. The absence of the transmission's weight also compensates for the heavier hybrid system.
The Regera runs exclusively on electric power at speeds less than 30 MPH. At higher speeds, the internal combustion engine kicks in via hydraulic coupling, delivering power exclusively to the rear wheels.
During rapid acceleration, the electric motors work with the internal combustion engine to provide torque vectoring and torque fill, providing power in the gaps where a typical ICE would search for a gear. When the car decelerates, the engine acts as a generator, making available up to 200 horsepower for regeneration.
Performance And Handling
The Regera accelerates from 0 to 60 MPH in 2.8 seconds, nearly as fast as the quickest production car in the world, the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport, which reaches 62 mph in a mere 2.4 seconds.
The Koenigsegg hybrid Direct Drive system seamlessly and relentlessly accelerates the hypercar with a single gear toward a top speed of 249 MPH in less than 20 seconds. As a comparison, the hybrid supercar Porsche 918 takes 23 seconds to reach a top speed of 186 MPH.
Build almost exclusively out of Kevlar and carbon fiber, the car weighs a mere 3,500 pounds, giving it a remarkable weight-to-power ratio.
Active aerodynamic components and an adjustable suspension system keep the car stable at high speeds. Koenigsegg also offers an optional 'Ghost' aerodynamics package for the Regera that includes an extended front splitter and side sills, front fender canards, and rear quarter panel fixed winglets.
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Interior Space, Comfort, And Technology
Not only is the Koenigsegg Regera an exceptionally fast car, but its luxury interior is fully customizable and includes features without compromise.
Adorned with supple leather and carbon fiber everywhere, the Regera is a stark contrast to Koenigsegg's traditional extreme, lightweight, race-like road cars. However, the company succeeded in creating an interior with power-adjustable seats and a 9.0-inch infotainment system that controls performance, satellite navigation, an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay and the rear wing position without significant weight penalties or degradation in performance.
But perhaps the coolest technology in the Regena is Autoskin, a hydraulically controlled system that enables opening and closing the dihedral Synchro-Helix doors, hood, and front trunk remotely using a key fob.
Koenigsegg made the Regera's trunk (frunk) just large enough to accommodate the removable hardtop, meaning a trip to the local golf course with the top down would require carrying the golf clubs in the passenger seat.
Related: NASCAR May Add Hybrid Race Cars to Its Lineup in 2022
Koenigsegg Regera Pricing
Finding a 2020 Koenigsegg Regera for sale is a challenging task. Koenigsegg sold out all the original models (80 in total) in 2017, and most collectors who succeeded in obtaining one of these extraordinary hypercars are reluctant to part with them.
Koenigsegg sold each car as a custom model, and while the original base price was $1,900,000, few cars left the showroom floor for less than $2,000,000.
The available options can easily reach $1,000,000. For example, the Ghost Package that includes revised aerodynamics creating an additional 20% more downforce costs $285,000. The Environmental Power Upgrade that adds 200 hp when running E85 fuel costs $250,000. Added exterior carbon fiber panels such as the hood, roof panel, air intakes, Speedster Sides, and inner rockers exceed $103,000.
What would the hypercar be without custom wheels? The Koenigsegg Tresex Aircore carbon fiber wheels that reduce unsprung weight and improve aerodynamics are an additional $57,000.
Gooding & Company offered a 2020 Koenigsegg Regera at auction in 2021 for $2,750 000 - $3,500 000.
