Back in the days, a 3 cylinder engine claiming such power would more likely end up as a joke. However, in March 2020, the Koenigsegg Gemera was revealed online at the Geneva Motor Show. A hybrid supercar with 1700 horsepower.
The Koenigsegg Gemera engine is mounted behind the rear seats paired with two electric motors. From the engine capacity of 1700 horsepower, 1100 hp comes from the electric motors and the rest of 600 hp derives from the 3 cylinder internal combustion engine.
With such specs, Koenigsegg engine is unmatched by even a high performance turbocharged V-8 engine.
Koenigsegg Engine
Considering a regular 3 cylinder engine with turbocharger, it usually go upto 200 horsepower. However, Koenigsegg 3 cylinder engine just changed the game by tripling the figure with its innovative technology.
The credit goes to its sister company, Freevalve. The company is leading in engine technology by developing cam-less combustion engines with variable valve train operation. With years of development and research, the Freevalve engine made it to production in the form of Gemera.
To understand how Freevalve engines give an unparalleled edge against the competitors, we have to delve a bit into its engine design.
Engine Design & Function
The Freevalve 3 cylinder engine is cam-less, meaning there are no camshafts to control the intake and exhaust valve like in regular internal combustion engines. Instead, camshafts are replaced by pneumatic actuators that compress and release the valve springs to open and close the valves individually.
The system is electrically controlled with the help of position sensors. Instead of depending on the cam loop to close and open valve periodically, Freevalve system allos constant variable timing to maximise efficiency. In the case of Koenigsegg Gemera, this also results in increased torque and horsepower.
The key to performance is indeed due to the control mechanism of individual valves. As the engine operation is monitored by the Freevalve electronic system, the information from sensors is used to control each valve rather than relying on mechanically operated camshaft.
Such capability to control engine timing brings Freevalve engines to a whole new level. Due to less mechanical operations due to lack of timing belt and camshaft, there is less mechanical friction in the components. In fact, electronic controls removed the need for a throttle body as well. This results in smaller engine size as compared to regular ones.
To top it off, the 3 cylinder engine has 2 litre displacement. This gives the car its aggressive throttling sound.
Twin Turbocharger
The 3 cylinder engine uses a twin turbocharger to offer improved performance. However, to cleanly divide the two turbochargers among the three cylinders, it is installed in a different way. Each exhaust valve of Koenigsegg Gemera uses two exhaust pipes to connect with both turbochargers.
When the car is driving at low rpm, the second pipe from the exhaust valve will shut down. This stops the second turbocharger from spooling air and diverts the air towards the first turbocharger. Consequently, at higher rpm, the second exhaust pipe opens up to allow spooling of air resulting in a functioning twin turbocharger.
The Koenigsegg 3 cylinder engine uses a twin turbocharger to offer improved performance. However, to cleanly divide the two turbochargers among the three cylinders, it is installed in a different way. Each exhaust valve of Koenigsegg engine uses two exhaust pipes to connect with both turbochargers.
Koenigsegg Gemera Production
Koenigsegg Gemera with its characteristic dihedral unique car door, is exclusive among the list of supercars. The production of cars is limited to 300 units. While not easily accessible, the car has no direct comparison in the market.
The exclusive car is priced at USD 1.7 million. Due to the limited number of cars, you can expect higher rates in the UAE and GCC depending on the demand.
Koenigsegg is becoming a pioneer in the technology for hyper cars. Since 1994, the company has released a limited number of prototypes. Constant research and development has set the Swedish brand apart from the rest.
As Koenigsegg cars are hard to come by, explore used sports cars for sale in the UAE to get a comparable experience.
Otherwise, you can have a look at these popular places for buying sports car in the UAE to find what you are looking for.
Stay tuned to the UAE’s top auto blog for more information on different car engines.
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