Koenigsegg Gemera, the worlds first Mega-GT and Koenigsegg's First For Four

How it works

The Freevalve system in the TFG offers the unique ability to have independent control of the intake and exhaust valves. For any engine load criteria, the timing of intake and exhaust can be independently adjusted. The system can then “decide” how to operate the valves depending on driving conditions – which combination to use in order to maximize performance, minimize fuel consumption or regulate emissions. Freevalves allows for a greater degree of control over the engine, which in turn provides significant performance and environmental benefits.

Fuel consumption reduction

The TFG has an estimated fuel consumption of 15 – 20% less than a typical modern four-cylinder two-liter engine with direct injection and variable camshaft.

The Freevalves improve engine efficiency at part load by eliminating throttle losses since there is no throttle.

Furthermore, Freevalves deactivates cylinders with Frequency Modulated Torque to further reduce fuel consumption.

Freevalves are also capable of running the so-called Miller cycle, which is why the TFG can have a static compression of 9.5:1, which is high for a high boost turbo engine. Using the Freevalve system to run for example the Miller cycle, gives the TFG high efficiency and high power at the same time. All factors considered, the TFG is one of the most frugal and most powerful production engines in the world for its size.

Cleaner exhausts

Traditional combustion engines with camshafts give out most of their pollution during their first 20 or so seconds of cold start, due to cold cylinders, cold catalytic converters and poor fuel mixing at idle.

As traditional engines heat up, the cylinders and catalytic converters become warm and far less polluting, although there is still poor fuel mixing at idle. Given how good modern catalytic converters have become, these engines are virtually clean when warm and during normal driving.

The TFG overcomes two of the three issues directly at start up, by heating up and provoking turbulence of the fuel mixture back and forth through the intake and exhaust valves. This much-improved cold combustion also leads to much faster catalytic converter heat up, thereby reducing cold-start emission by around 60% compared to an equal-sized traditional engine with camshafts.

The Freevalve system basically eliminates the last emission drawback of the modern combustion engine – the cold start related emissions.

When running the TFG on renewable alcohol fuels – there are virtually no particulates produced and in many “normal” environments the TFG consumes and burns more particles from the surrounding air than it produces, thereby actually cleaning the air.

Using the best alternatives of alcohols there is even the chance for net-zero or CO2 negative emissions.

Compactness

The TFG is extremely compact compared to its power and torque capabilities. One would typically associate a 600 bhp power output and 600 Nm of torque with a twin turbo V8 engine. The dry-sump system helps to shrink the engine further while allowing for perfect oil control during extreme driving. The complete long block does not weigh more than 70 kg and fits in a typical carry-on luggage case.

Improved performance

The TFG´s Freevalve system allows full control of the combustion cycle. No other variable valve actuation system offers this level of control and reliability.

Both the intake and exhaust valves can be opened and closed at any desired crankshaft angle and to any desired lift height. This flexibility enables the TFG to deliver low fuel consumption and emission numbers, while still delivering massive torque and power.

Patent-pending two stage turbo system

The Freevalve system made it possible to create a patent-pending, simplified two-stage turbo system. Quite simply, one turbo is connected to three exhaust valves – one from each cylinder. The second turbo is connected to the other three exhaust valves. During low rpm and part to high load, all exhaust gasses are pushed to only one turbo, by only opening one exhaust valve per cylinder – thereby doubling the exhaust gases to that turbine. When adequate boost is reached, the second exhaust valve is opened to start the second turbo.

The result is a three-cylinder two-liter engine that gives 400 Nm of torque from 1700 rpm and max torque of 600 Nm. These never-before-achieved numbers in an engine of this size make the TFG the most powerful engine per cylinder and volume to date, putting it light years ahead of any other production three-cylinder engine today.

Precision performance with Artificial Intelligence (AI)

There are many variables at play in the workings of an internal combustion engine (ICE). These include the complexity of achieving maximum performance, efficiency, reliability and safety with minimum fuel consumption, emission, size and cost.

Adding the Freevalve system to the mix makes it possible for the ICE to reach new heights. The Freevalve system creates many more variables to consider and tune. These can include NOx, CO2 emissions, fuel consumption, HC/NMOG, power and torque, all competing for priority in a cycle.

Then there’s fuel types, lubricants, temperatures, component wear and tear, alongside the Freevalve liberation.

Clearly it becomes virtually impossible for humans to tune each parameter for optimum results. Given this, Koenigsegg has decided to use AI in order to optimize the TFG for different conditions and situations

That is why Koenigsegg has chosen to partner with SparkCognition, the world’s leading AI company, in order to leverage the development of the Freevalve equipped TFG.

An alluring engine sound

Fitted with a custom titanium Akrapovič exhaust, the TFG’s 2-liter three-cylinder engine gives lag-free response and comes with an evocative and deep-throated growl. The TFG may be a small engine but it has a big and “thumpy” sound thanks to its large bore and stroke, combined with the “open” sound of Freevalves. The result is a deep, throaty, responsive and alluring sounding engine. The sound can also be smooth as the exhaust notes can be tuned and balanced by the Freevalve system.

Koenigsegg Direct Drive (KDD)

Traditional hybrids represent a compromise when it comes to weight, complexity, cost and packaging. The Gemera, on the other hand, together with its sibling the Regera, is a new breed of hybrid. Its main advantage? Providing ultimate response from standstill to top speed in the form of a single gear direct drive at lower weight and higher efficiency than what any other hybrid solution can offer.

During highway travel, for instance, the KDD reduces drivetrain losses compared to traditional transmissions or CVT by 3-5% as there is no step-up or step-down gear working in series with the final drive – just direct power from the engine to the wheels with the torque-converting HydraCoup locked up.

Torque is crucial, especially when accelerating to extreme speeds in one gear. In the Gemera, this is facilitated by the torque-converting HydraCoup – it converts the combined 1100 Nm coming from the TFG and front e-motor to almost double its torque up to 3000 rpm. That is why the Gemera has 3500 Nm of torque from standstill and why it can accelerate from 0-400 km/h in a single gear.

All-wheel drive, all-wheel torque vectoring, and all-wheel steering

The separate rear e-motors enable torque vectoring and reverse. The front axle has an open differential with a wet clutch pack for each output shaft, also enabling torque vectoring. This means that the Gemera has all-wheel drive, all-wheel torque vectoring, and all-wheel steering, as it also has independent rear-wheel steering – offering maximum traction and safety, and one exciting driving experience. The Gemera also comes with active ride height to complement driving conditions.

Additionally, the all-wheel torque of over 11000 Nm is clawed into the ground from standstill, creating quite the undertaking for the Gemera’s massive and grippy Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires.

Combined power output of 1700 bhp

Power output from the three motors – one for each rear wheel producing 500 bhp and 1000 Nm, and one E-motor on the crankshaft that produces an extra 400 bhp and 500 Nm to power the front wheels – add up to 1400 bhp as individuals and 1100 bhp when combined. In addition to the TFG’s 600 bhp (at 7500 rpm) and torque of 600 Nm (2000 rpm to 7000 rpm), the combined power output of the Gemera is 1700 bhp or 1.27 MW.

The 800V battery pack

Taking cues from the Regera, the Gemera’s 800V, 15 kWh battery will provide an amazing 900 kW of discharge and up to 200 kW of recharge. Every cell is carefully monitored for voltage, state of charge, health and temperature; and the cells are enclosed in a carbon fiber casing for efficiency, safety and stability. The battery is placed in the most protected area of the car – under the front seat and in the carbon-aramid chassis tunnel.

Range

The Gemera can travel up to 50 km in EV only mode and up to an additional 950 km highway cruise speed in hybrid mode, before needing a fill-up – totaling a 1000 km range. This makes the Gemera a true continent crossing family-oriented “Autobahn” rocketship.