Koenigsegg, the independent Swedish supercar maker, `has created its first four-seat model, the Gemera, which it calls a 'Mega-GT.'
Optional roof box
Channelling a little of the classic Lamborghini Espada, Koenigsegg says that the Gemera means that: "The Koenigsegg megacar experience can be shared with family and friends." There are seats for four, and both a 200-litre boot and an option roof box.
We hope that the roof box straps down tightly, because the performance of this car is going to be ridiculous. It's a plug-in hybrid with three electric motors - one for each rear wheel and a single motor between the fronts - and the petrol side of the powertrain is provided by a wild-sounding 2.0-litre three-cylinder twin-turbo engine with 600hp, thanks mostly to the fact that those turbos are the size of dustbins.
1,700hp and 3,500Nm of torque
The total output? 1,700hp (equivalent to 1.27-megawatts!), and 3,500Nm of torque. It's a plug-in hybrid so you can charge up the battery and run around on just electric power for as much as 50km. The combined range with both a full fuel tank and a full battery is a claimed 1,000km.
Now, on top of all that Koenigsegg claims that because the engine can run on plant-based methanol, which is theoretically a carbon-neutral fuel, that when you're running it on meths, it's as clean overall as a fully-electric car. The Swedish car maker calls this new engine TFG, or Tiny Friendly Giant, and some of its power output comes from a new 'freevalve' variable valve timing system.
Name means 'Give More'
Never mind that though, because apparently the Gemera (a name made of a conflation of the Swedish words for 'Give' and 'More') can scamper from 0-100km/h in just 1.9 seconds, and Koenigsegg claims that it will hit a maximum of 400km/h in just 20 seconds. Blimey Charlie.
Even running on just the batteries, Koenigsegg claims that the Gemera will hit 340km/h.
With a long wheelbase (a full 3.0 metres) there should be plenty of space in that cabin, and it's accessed through Koenigsegg's trademark roll-forward doors (they're called Koenigsegg Automated Twisted Synchrohelix Actuation Doors or KATSAD). Koenigsegg says that the long wheelbase means that the car has terrific straightline stability, but it has also fitted four-wheel steering so that it still feels agile through the corners. The company says that the combo of all-wheel steering, and torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, mean that it's possible: "for the Gemera to be one of the most fun and safe cars on the planet." Hilariously, ISOFIX points are available for both back seats. Imagine all the rusk vomit as you hit 400km/h...
Only 300 Gemeras will be built, and we now really, really want one.