Koenigsegg Gemera

[LowRyter]

Every once in awhile I read about these wild cars that Koenigsegg builds.  Very exotic, very fast.  I haven't a clue where the money comes from or if the car would hold up on a road trip.  But for you gearheads, he's building a new hybrid, where the electric motors provide the main power and the gas engine kicks in for super power.

So this gas engine is really something.  Two liter triple that makes 600HP.  The interesting stuff: it has no cam, instead it's pneumatic system that controls each valve individually.  This means that engine can transition from two stroke to four stroke, shut down individual cylinders, and each of the two exhaust valves runs a separate turbocharger. 



https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/car-technology/a31451281/koenigsegg-gemera-engine-specs-analysis/

[ozarquebus]

That is incredible. If that engine ever made into mass production, it might be as cheap to build as a conventional engine.
 I especially like the part about the adaptive AI Ignition and Valve Control.

[Old Jock]

Fascinating stuff

I've watched quite a few of his YouTube videos where he explains various aspects of the cars and engines.

Their approach is truly innovative and the guy himself is very humble and explains everything in a very down to earth matter of fact manner (even I can understand most of it).

Now could the TFG fit into a Tonti? 

[LowRyter]

I am just as curious how he gets the money to do these projects. 

[bigbikerrick]

Thats incredible engineering!  Very interesting read.
Rick.

[PJPR01]

A nice "family car" as he described it!  Fantastic engineering from a brilliant guy.  Always fun to watch his developments.

[alanp]

Really remarkable engineering and creativity. I AM impressed with this mans mind and his work.

But if I was going to buy an expensive high performance car to actually use on public roads, there is no question it would be full electric.  The instant torque, one moving part simplicity and zero maintenance aspects of electric motors just blow away ICE's in my opinion.  The Tesla Model S is just stupid fast, AWD, and a bargain compared to anything with an ICE of comparable performance.  I suspect some of the new offerings from Porsche, Mercedes, etc. will be similar. 
While impressive, this Konigsegg design seems hopelessly complex and outdated to me.  It's time has passed before it even arrived.  But, if all you want is a fun, cool toy and you can afford it, I am sure it would still be amazing!   

[LowRyter]

Alan, I took a trip to Europe a year and half ago and the Tesla was the prestige car in Holland and Germany.  When was the last time an American car was a big deal in Europe?  And it looks like Porsche and Mercedes are a step behind Tesla. 

[Mr Revhead]

This is exactly the thing that will extend the IC engines life.
EVs, are part of a solution, they are  not the answer. They are impractical in so many parts of the world.
Too long to charge, not enough range. Too hard to charge.
And dont go on about a Tesla answering all of those. They dont. They cost too much, still need a power cord to charge, and the ethics of Tesla are a major issue.

[alanp]

Alan, I took a trip to Europe a year and half ago and the Tesla was the prestige car in Holland and Germany.  When was the last time an American car was a big deal in Europe?  And it looks like Porsche and Mercedes are a step behind Tesla.

Didn't know that.  Kind of amazing that anything other than a German car would be a prestige car in Germany!  They have had a virtual corner on that market.

[alanp]

This is exactly the thing that will extend the IC engines life.
EVs, are part of a solution, they are  not the answer. They are impractical in so many parts of the world.
Too long to charge, not enough range. Too hard to charge.
And dont go on about a Tesla answering all of those. They dont. They cost too much, still need a power cord to charge, and the ethics of Tesla are a major issue.

As an electric car owner, it has been my observation that the just about everyone has misconceptions about electric cars except those who own one.  You seem to have some misconceptions as well.   
 
Too long to charge?  I have had a Chevy Bolt for 2 years and 30,000 miles.  I admit it does not charge fast, but I have spent a total of 2 hours over the past 2 years waiting for the car to charge (2 one hour sessions in 30,000 miles of driving).  All other charging has been done overnight, and charging time is irrelevant. This is way less time than I would have spent waiting for an ICE car to fill up with gas. 

Not enough range?  The Bolt has about 250 miles of range which is quite a lot  Most newer cars are closer to 300 miles, and some are approaching 400.  Lyft just purchased 2000 electric Kia Niro's to lease back to their drivers in the Denver area.  These will be used by people who drive all day long every day. I don't see much of a range issue here. 

Too hard to charge?  If you have electricity at your home, nothing could be easier. 

Don't go on about Tesla?  Well, they do have the fastest charge rate and longest range of anything out there right now so they do address the issues.  But you are right, they are expensive.  I know nothing about their ethics but would doubt it is a "major issue"? 

[Mr Revhead]

See that is a narrow perspective. That is your perspective living in the USA. Most of the world doesnt live in the USA.
Here in NZ we dont get the Bolt. Or much like it.
Most people with cars, dont have a garage, and a huge number have to park on the street. How do you charge overnight when parked on the street?

Theres a whole heap of other things, but its tipped to be at least 30 years before more than 50% of our vehicle fleet is non IC.

[oldbike54]

See that is a narrow perspective. That is your perspective living in the USA. Most of the world doesnt live in the USA.
Here in NZ we dont get the Bolt. Or much like it.
Most people with cars, dont have a garage, and a huge number have to park on the street. How do you charge overnight when parked on the street?

Theres a whole heap of other things, but its tipped to be at least 30 years before more than 50% of our vehicle fleet is non IC.

 Actually what Alan stated holds true for most of Europe also . Look , I love New Zealand , and you Kiwis are lovely people , but my very rural state of Oklahoma has about the same population as NZ . Oddly enough , isn't there a company based in NZ that builds electric off road vehicles for ranch use?

 Edit , yes , there is , the Ubco company builds it .

 Dusty

[alanp]

See that is a narrow perspective. That is your perspective living in the USA. Most of the world doesnt live in the USA.
Here in NZ we dont get the Bolt. Or much like it.
Most people with cars, dont have a garage, and a huge number have to park on the street. How do you charge overnight when parked on the street?

Theres a whole heap of other things, but its tipped to be at least 30 years before more than 50% of our vehicle fleet is non IC.

You could be right, and electric vehicles are not suitable for all situations.  But my point is, the biggest thing holding them back at this point is misconception.  The basic misconceptions are rampant and almost universally held.

Having an electric car, I frequently get asked about it , and the discussion invariably includes a question like "but what about range and charging time"?    Around here, (admittedly I live in the US) there are thousands of homes, and probably 95% of them have a 2 (or more) vehicles and a garage.  Range and charging time are likely completely irrelevant to these people, but they are the ones asking about it with great skepticism.  They have misconceptions.

In places like Europe and New Zealand, range would be even less of an issue.  I agree though, charging time is an issue IF you don't have a place to charge overnight. I would not recommend an electric to someone in that situation unless they had a good alternative, like being able to charge during the day where they work.     

[Don G]

All well and good, electric is the way to go? Where I live it may be -40* and my commute is an hour each way, that is something the IC car has in its favor cold weather use.  DonG

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

Most people with cars, dont have a garage, and a huge number have to park on the street. How do you charge overnight when parked on the street?

 

[Mr Revhead]

In places like Europe and New Zealand, range would be even less of an issue.  I agree though, charging time is an issue IF you don't have a place to charge overnight. I would not recommend an electric to someone in that situation unless they had a good alternative, like being able to charge during the day where they work.     

You have just proved EXACTLY my point, thank you.

[Perazzimx14]

I've heard these are almost as costly as a Ducati but not as expensive as a BMW to maintenance.

[tommy2cyl]

It has been quite awhile since I have been moved by a bullet nosed supercar.  This is a stunning design exercise and execution.  Koenigsegg is a visionary.  Will he ever contribute and move the needle like Tesla?  Doubtful, but he can certainly contribute.  Would love to hear & see this thing in anger.

[pauldaytona]

It looks amazing 600hp out of 3 cil 2 litre. But without the twin turbo it's 280 hp. Half of it one litre is 140 hp. A bit tuned mgs01 engine, what is old school, does same litre hp's.
The things they can do with the valves without cams are amazing. And opening one or two outlet valves depending on revs is something you can't do normally.

 But it is amazing what they make. I thought Fiat had also a camless engine , this is what it is: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MultiAir

[LowRyter]

It looks amazing 600hp out of 3 cil 2 litre. But without the twin turbo it's 280 hp. Half of it one litre is 140 hp. A bit tuned mgs01 engine, what is old school, does same litre hp's.
The things they can do with the valves without cams are amazing. And opening one or two outlet valves depending on revs is something you can't do normally.

 But it is amazing what they make. I thought Fiat had also a camless engine , this is what it is: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MultiAir

I think the Fiat Multi Air is a conventional engine with variable valve timing and lift?  Perhaps they've developed a camless prototype with the same name as the production engine?

[pauldaytona]

I think the Fiat Multi Air is a conventional engine with variable valve timing and lift?  Perhaps they've developed a camless prototype with the same name as the production engine?

Fiat S.p.A., now FCA, launched MultiAir in 2009 employing a proprietary electro-hydraulic system to precisely control air intake without a throttle valve, in order to increase engine power and torque, reduce fuel consumption, reduce emissions — and improve engine operation — offering "a more controllable flow of air during the combustion cycle in comparison with mechanical VVT systems." The technology allows engines to be lighter and smaller while reducing pumping losses — and can be adapted to existing engines by replacing the camshaft with the MultiAir system, thus requiring a new head only.

Its only on the intake

[alanp]

I think the Fiat Multi Air is a conventional engine with variable valve timing and lift?  Perhaps they've developed a camless prototype with the same name as the production engine?

I rented a Fiat Panda last year while in Italy.  It had a strange engine, very diesel-like at lower speed, clattery, and ran out of power quickly as you revved it.  Didn't seem to have the power, sound or feel of a gas engine, but it was.  I wonder if it was a multi-air?  It worked well on the small, low speed twisty and hilly Italian roads.