
Koenigsegg Regera is the epitome of petrol-electric drivetrain technology and does not even feature a conventional gearbox
Koenigsegg confirmed that its Regera hybrid hypercar has been completely sold out. Considering its price tag of around £1.5 million, all the 80 planned examples have already had their homes assigned. The superlative strides made by the Swedish manufacturer in developing the Regera is nothing short of impressive than its evolutionary design suggests.
The Regera’s hybrid driveline is different from the likes of Porsche 918 Spyder and McLaren P1. At the heart of the matter is a 5.0-litre supercharged and twin turbocharged V8 engine pumping out an astonishing 1084 bhp. Make no mistake as this engine is similar to the ones in other Koenigsegg models. But the lower 1.4 bar of boost pressure is calibrated to offer greater response.
Also Read: Production Version of Koenigsegg Regera Revealed at 2016 Geneva Motor Show
The lower boost pressure comes as a result of the electric motors surrounding the IC engine that offer 690 bhp on their own. The resulting peak power of the total drivetrain is 1479 bhp which is perplexingly not the sum of two power plants as they produce peak numbers at different rev ranges.
However the clever bit is, instead of supplementing a complete IC drivetrain like in Porsche 918 Spyder, an electric motor is in place of a conventional transmission. The Koenigsegg Direct Drive (KDD) sends the combustion unit’s power directly onto the wheels without any mechanical gearbox involved.
Also Read: Bugatti Chiron Claimed to Do 0-400 kmph and Return to 0 in Under a Minute
Divided into three separate sections on the rear axle, each electric motor makes peak torque at zero rpm which means when the petrol engine runs out of the power band, it is being made up by the electric motors. Power is distributed via a main electric engine connected to the crank and distributed to each of the rear wheels where mounted the dual supplementary engines.
The batteries positioned amidst the driver and passenger seat are the same units found in Formula One cars. It allowed a weight reduction of 40 kilos and improved expulsion and regeneration. Koenigsegg developed a clutch-slip mechanism allowing the engine to gain revs when in gear in order for better response during high speeds.
It is controlled by right hand paddle behind the steering wheel while a similar unit on the left hand side increases regenerative braking effect. The Regera is the first road-going car with an active top-mounted rear wing like those seen on the DTM and GT3 racing machines.
Active aero on the front splitter and the changeable ride height help the Regera develop 450 kg of downforce at 155 mph (250 kmph). The exhaust system is co-developed by the famous Akrapovic as well. The performance numbers are just mind-blowing as zero to 124 mph (200 kmph) is achieved in 6.6 seconds and (300 kmph) 186 mph in just 10.9 seconds, but it is not as fast as a Chiron as 0-100 kmph is dealt in 2.8 seconds.