Debuting earlier this year, the was only a matter of time before the first Koenigsegg Gemera arrived in the UAE. That day has arrived, and we’ve taken a good look at the brands first ever family car.
Family car? Did we get that wrong? Aren’t Koenigsegg known for creating ridiculously fast cars with two seats? No, we’re not wrong as the Gemera has space for 4, a sizable luggage compartment for four carry-on cases and incredibly enough, it’s not an SUV.
It’s a hypercar and it’s arrived in the UAE. Well, it’s a pre-production model, but it’s here at least.
With the trademark fighter-jet wraparound widescreen, the 4-seater is inspired by the CC evident at the front. It also has large upwards-opening doors what Koenigsegg call ‘Koenigsegg Automated Twisted Synchrohelix Actuation Doors’ and the B-Pillars have been removed to make it easier to get in and out of.
Inside the Koenigsegg Gemera
The exterior is a massive talking point, but the seating arrangement is the real focal point. For the first time ever, Koenigsegg has built a car for the whole family to enjoy, and the kids would love to go to school in.
Two seats up front for driver and passenger and two seats in the back. Mind-boggling right. Who saw this coming?
Bugatti did back in 2009 with the Galibier back but decided better of it. They also pondered the idea again in 2019, but they’ve yet to announce anything. It looks like they may have to settle for second best.
No lack of power
Just because the Koenigsegg Gemera is a family car doesn’t mean its sluggish in a straight line or down on power.
What about power? Where does that come from? Unlike other Koenigsegg’s, there is no V8 super mega ultra turbo engine tucked away behind the seats. Instead, the Gemera makes do with a much smaller and eco-friendly unit that generates a mind-blowing 1,700 bhp!
But how? The brainboxes in Sweden have fitted the vehicle with three electric motors – one on the crankshaft and one on each rear wheel. Together, they develop 1,100 bhp. In EV, rear-drive mode, the family car can traverse 48.8 km on its 800V battery and can hit a top speed of 299 km/h.
So where does the other 700 hp come from? Surely we’ve made a typo, and there is a V8 tucked in there somewhere.
It’s not a typo as the Gemera’s battery is assisted by a three-cylinder, twin-turbo 2.0-litre ‘Freevalve’ petrol engine called the Tiny Friendly Giant. It’s hard to believe, but the Swede’s have managed to push the unit to the max as it generates 600bhp which is sent to the front axle.
Let’s quickly go back to the ‘Freevalve’ thing. Christian Von Koenigsegg says he wants the most out of the engine when it comes to efficiency and power and to achieve that, Koenigsegg and his team have worked diligently and ditched the cams for an internal combustion engine for better control valve timing.
How many Koenigsegg Gemera’s are there?
Only 300 units will be built with most if not all already accounted for. Al Ain Class Motors already has one locked in but haven’t disclosed how much it will cost. We can assure you; it won’t be the only one registered in the UAE.
Some 17 models have already been ordered in the GCC, so if you want to secure yours, act sooner rather than later.
