A few years back, Koenigsegg wowed the world with the debut of the Regera at the 2015 Geneva International Motor Show. In case you’re unaware, the Regera is an absurdly fast high-powered plug-in hybrid hypercar capable of spinning the world backwards like Superman turning back time. Now, the manufacturer from Sweden is heading back to Switzerland to show off the initial pair of customer-bound Regera models, both of which are still hot off the floor from Keonigsegg’s production facility in Angelholm.

These latest Swedish meatballs represent the first time Koenigsegg has built two individual cars simultaneously, and demonstrate the rapid expansion that the niche automaker has experienced over the course of the past year. That expansion now includes two specific model lines on tap (the Regera and the Agera), a growing dealer network, and a staff that’s nearly doubled in size.

And that’s to be expected when considering the quality of the product on hand. For example, the first Regera slated to show in Geneva is draped in an exterior color similar to British Racing Green. That emerald-like hue is courtesy of a green-tinted clear coat, which shows the carbon fiber weave hiding underneath if you look close enough. Inside the cabin is Saddle Brown leather upholstery with a basket weave, while flat leather is used for the seats, rear wall, doors, and steering wheel. In the corners are Tresex hollow-core carbon rollers, which offer a 40-percent reduction in weight when compared to traditional alloys. The tires are Michelin’s Pilot Sport 4S compound.

Joining the green Regera is another sovereign automobile, this time finished in candy apple red with bare black carbon running up the middle. This example also gets bare carbon for the side intakes, while the cabin gets a black leather interior with Lingonberry trim. Meanwhile, the wheels are three-spoke carbon units in a custom design.

Both owners are expected to take delivery of their respective Regeras in the next few months.

Continue reading for the full story.

Why It Matters

It’s not often that customer deliveries are worthy of a an appearance at an event like the Geneva International Motor Show, but in this case, Koenigsegg is the exception.

Why? Well, simply put, the Regera is a mighty impressive machine indeed.

Making it go is a hybrid powertrain consisting of three electric motors and a twin-turbo 5.0-liter V-8. The ICE by itself is a powerplant worthy of sportscar superstardom all on its own, but with an extra 670 horses added from the motors (one on the crankshaft and two more for the rear axle), the whole shebang cranks out an astonishing 1,500 horsepower and 1,475 pound-feet of torque at the rear wheels.

With numbers like that, this 3,500-pound monster can outmuscle even the mighty Koenigsegg One:1 in a straight line. A sprint from 0 to 300 km/h (0 to 186 mph) takes just 10 seconds, while a run from 0 to 400 km/h (0 to 249 mph) takes 20 seconds. Here’s another little tasty tidbit – 150 km/h to 250 km/h (93 mph to 155 mph) takes just 3 seconds. 3 seconds!

So it’s fast, that much is clear. But the Regera is also a technological marvel. It’s the first production vehicle to utilize an 800-volt electrical system for those electric motors, and it’s the first production vehicle equipped with Koenigsegg’s Direct Drive system, offering less weight and less parasitic loss compared to a traditional transmission.

Keeping it glued to the ground is active aero, with the rear spoiler hiding away when you want less drag. The Regera also has a removable top, a first in a car capable of going nearly 250 mph. There’s also active chassis control, adjustable electric stability control, traction control, carbon ceramic brakes, ABS, and an adjustable and active suspension set-up.

Of course, this thing is still relatively driveable in the real world, offering optional six-way power adjustable seats, Apple CarPlay support, a Bird’s Eye View parking assist, and an Autoskin system with one-touch opening for the doors and the hood. Finally, each Regera gets an adjustable pedal box, smart airbags, and digital gauges.

My Opinion

The Regera is positively beastly, and it makes me happy to see Koenigsegg doing so well in the past year. The cars are not only visually impressive to behold, but offering astounding engineering as well. They’re like some alien spacecraft that landed on Earth to show us the way of velocity, and prove that even small automakers can butt heads with the biggest and the best.

Read our full review on the Koenigsegg Regera here.