Koenigsegg, a leader of innovation when it comes to designing and manufacturing hypercars. The only fly in the ointment is that the Swedish carmaker has had every model so far, produced in very limited numbers. The models include the CCX, Agera, Regera, Jesko, Jesko Absolut – and the most recent four-seat supercar, the Gemera. But an ‘affordable’ model has been on the cards since 2019, particularly after having joined hands with a Swedish EV manufacturer, NEVS. They took the wraps off the car – and first impressions had us impressed and showed a lot of promise.
The four-seat Gemera is currently their most ‘affordable’ product, priced at $1.7 million. The company has had an affordable supercar in the pipeline, and rumor has it that it shouldn’t take too long to make it to production. Christian Von Koenigsegg, founder and CEO, is bullish about this new project after having mentioned how satisfied he is, with the growth and success of his brand.
The concept was revealed by RAW design, a sub-brand of Koenigsegg, for the first time in 2020, and with Swedish giant pitching in, the foundation for an affordable supercar could turn to fruition. The car you see in the pictures has been designed by Esa Mustonen.
The RAW design inspiration seem to stem from supercars of the ’70s, like the Lamborghini Countach, Lancia Stratos Zero and the Ferrari Modulo, to name a few.
RAW Has Used A Wedge-Shaped Design Concept
The wedged look of the car comes from a couple of exotic concepts from the 1970s. The architecture is unlike anything else you will see on the market today. Despite being a compact car, the affordable Koenigsegg reflects strength and mass, which is why the team went back in time with the ideation of this model. Looking at it, we can tell that the focus is majorly on aerodynamics. Some exterior design elements that caught our eye include the double-bubble roof, typical of all Koenigseggs. Unlike the regular dihedral helix doors, the ones on the RAW concept actually open backward in a reverse suicide fashion which looks even more dramatic. The car also uses sharp LED light and a massive adaptive diffuser that is evidently visible at the rear.
The RAW concept is designed to accommodate three occupants, giving the driver a central driving position like the McLaren F1 and Gordon Murray T.50. The easiest way used to develop this concept was to create quick sketches and rough 3D models. The team worked hard to ensure they got the proportions right, giving it the stance of a proper supercar.
Expected to use a small engine and carbon structure, the team have managed to carve out enough of space for the driver and the other two passengers. The front seat can be pushed forwards, with your limbs deep inside the nose of the car, much like how race drivers sit in their Formula 1 cars. The inspiration for the driver’s seat design comes from racing simulator rigs.
The Heart Of An Affordable Koenigsegg Could Be The Friendly Giant
Being an entry-level supercar for the Swedish brand, expect a small, turbocharged, in-line, three-cylinder engine – something similar to the “Friendly Giant” found in the Gemera. The Gemera makes 590hp and 443 lb-ft of torque from the engine alone, while the electric motors help take it all the way up to a staggering 1700hp. The engine in the Gemara by itself is the most powerful three-cylinder engine in the world, and it uses Koenigsegg’s in-house developed Free-Valve technology. As of this moment, the company hasn’t assured us of a particular engine or motor being used in their baby supercar.
The Affordable Koenigsegg Could Be An EV
With the future quickly making a transition to EVs, it won’t be surprising if Koenigsegg’s entry-level supercar take the all-electric route. Particularly after NEVS, a Swedish-Chinese manufacturer acquired 20% of Koenigsegg in 2019. The objective with both brands is to produce battery EVs for the future, but we’re not ruling out the use of the ‘Friendly Giant’ engine either in the RAW concept either. The final version of the RAW is unlikely to look the same by the time it makes it to production, but this is a concept that’s clearly hinting that Koenigsegg is ambitious about its project.
