The Koenigsegg Regera isn’t a strange car in the world of hyper fast sports car. Having debuted at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, this 80-unit only Swedish beast is one of the most technologically advanced car to date.
However, over the past year or so, about 3,000 tweaks have been made, and it takes the grand stage at Geneva this year by storm. At around USD 1.9 million a pop (about RM7.8 million without taxes and duties), the Regera is quite simply the beginning of the megacar era. Its closest rival is none other than the Bugatti Chiron, but here are five reasons why the Regera deserves to be in the running as the one true megacar of the world.
i. It makes the Bugatti Chiron look dull
The Chiron may have taken center stage this year at Geneva, but it could easily pass off as the Veyron’s facelift. It is undoubtedly an engineering marvel in its own right, but we can’t help feeling as though Bugatti played it safe in the aesthetics department.
Things are less apparent at Koenigsegg with the Regera. This megacar looks exactly like the HotWheels toy you’ve always dreamed of; twin radical scissors doors and a hood that could put flamboyant Lamborghinis to shame. It’s got looks to kill, but what’s more impressive is the integration of “Autoskin” which allows the car’s doors, front and rear clamshells to be opened via a key knob. The company uses lightweight, tiny hydraulic tubing and small actuators to replace traditional struts and hinges.
Another unique feature is the Regera’s headlights – they come with a pair of funky looking “Constellation DRLs”, but Christian von Koenigsegg prefers the term “Koenigsegg Cool”. How does this compare to the Chiron’s multiple squared LED DRLs? Well, we’ll let you be the judge of that.
ii. The powertrain is bonkers
Unlike the Chiron, the Regera comes with a self-developed 5.0-litre twin turbocharged V8 engine, the same block shared with the Agera and Agera R. There’s also three separate electric motors driving the crankshaft. The 4.5kWh battery pack is located in the center body tunnel that can be charged either internally or via a charging port at the back.
All these make for a combined output of 1,500 hp and 2,000 Nm of tyre-obliterating torque! It’s a tad slower in the century sprint compared to the Chiron’s 2.5-second benchmark (Regera dusts that in 2.8 seconds), but also remember that the Regera’s engine is a full 3.0-litre smaller and has half the Bug’s W16 cylinder count. That said, the Regera outperforms the Chiron in the 0 to 298km/h sprint, getting there in 10.9 seconds compared to the Chiron’s 13.5 seconds. Not bad at all for an in-house motor!
iii. It has no gearbox!
Remember the three electric motors mentioned above? The electric motors now take up the responsibilities as a power generator, starter motor and a torque assist for the V8 engine. In other words, it completely replaces a conventional gearbox! The system, known as Koenigsegg Direct Drive System, works via a locking hydraulic coupling which controls the engine’s power through a clutch-slip mechanism.
What they do is convert torque at medium to high speeds during fast acceleration, allowing the engine to gain revs and power, thereby providing the sensation of an actual downshift (plus the blip which we all love).
Shift paddles remain on either side of the steering wheel, though the left paddle is used to enhance regenerative braking which juices up the battery pack. The right paddle is used to activate the hydraulic coupling’s ‘downshift’ operation. Koenigsegg claims their path in electric vehicle technology eliminates the mass and drivetrain losses of a transmission, but it’s probably nowhere near the ideal transmission for an everyday car.
iv. Impressive lightweight body
The combination of its carbon fibre monocoque and a lightweight battery pack means the Regera’s overall weight down to 1,590kg, or approximately 400kg lighter than the porky Chiron. For the record, the Chiron’s monocoque is also made of carbon fibre, but the extra weight comes mainly from the powertrain.
v. It’s not a stripped-down race car
Thankfully, Koenigsegg had no intentions of making the Regera a full-blown track machine, although that will likely come as the Regera S or Regera R. Instead, Koenigsegg markets the car as being “a fusion of luxury, comfort and race car performance”. Interior goodies for the Regera are soft-closing doors (like your Toyota Alphard), leather interior with six-way electronic adjustable seats, climate control, leather carpets, power folding mirrors and infotainment system which supports Apple CarPlay.
So there you have it, folks. Just 80 of the Regera will ever be built, so chances of you owning one won’t be nearly as high as the 500-unit Chiron. Now, dear readers, which of the two is your preferred dream car?
IMAGE GALLERY
