2021 Koenigsegg Regera

In a world where mega horsepower, multi-million-dollar hypercars seem to be coming out every other week, the Koenigsegg brand still dominates the headlines. The company's latest creation is the Regera, and although it has the exorbitant price tag ($1.89 million), the rarity factor (limited to 80 units), and the insane performance figures (1,489 horsepower and 1,475 lb-ft of torque), the Regera breaks new ground and has the world swooning for being a hybrid hypercar with no gearbox. There isn't even a reverse gear, and the 5.0-liter twin-turbo V8 will only propel the car forwards. So what is it? An ornament? A publicity stunt? No. The Regera is a symbol of incredible innovation and boasts features that make cars like the McLaren P1 and Bugatti Chiron seem a bit "last week". Three electric motors stimulate the car's ability and allow it to reverse, but this statement doesn't do the whole package justice, so keep reading to see why the Regera is one of the greatest technological achievements of the decade.

A variety of special editions are built on customer request, and while official production is set to end after 80 units are completed, Regera models still make their way into the USA for the 2021 model year.

One of the final one-off Regeras completed near the end of the production run is the Raven, with a distinctive Clear Carbon/Black finish. Another noteworthy example is chassis number 173, the Kejsare, which means "emperor" in Swedish. It is finished in orange, black, and white inside and out and is a US-spec car built in 2019 for the 2020 model year.

Only those with the means to commission a vehicular work of art arable to get their hands on a truly one-off Regera. Such examples include the Regera KNC, Koenigsegg Naked Carbon. At the time it was thought to be the first of its kind in the world - the carbon-fiber finish's epoxy coating is removed via hand polishing, exposing the metallic-graphite sheen of the naked carbon underneath. This specific unit is lighter than a normal Regera by 50 pounds.

Production of the Regera continues its slow-and-steady trend, with no notable changes made to the core design. One of the numerous special-edition one-off Regeras made during this time includes the 'Cherry Bomb' with its distinctive Apple Red paintwork and bespoke carbon detailing.

Adding to its exclusivity, each Regera is meticulously handcrafted with each owner involved in the creative process. So, while there are no official changes from year to year, each vehicle is unique, reflecting the customer's wishes.

The Koenigsegg Regera is a highly exclusive hypercar with a planned production run of only 80 cars and a world-first one-speed "direct-drive" transmission. The three-motor hybrid setup combined with the turbocharged V8 gas engine results in outputs of 1,489 hp, allowing a sprint to 186 mph in 10.9 seconds, on to a limited top speed of 255 mph. Despite the hybrid gubbins, weight is kept to a minimum at 3,505 pounds, thanks to all-carbon-fiber construction, down to the special Tresex wheel rims.

The Regera is a striking machine, as all Koenigseggs are. This one features a new "Constellation" DRL system with various LEDs dotted around the carbon-sheathed headlights. A huge front splitter improves downforce at the front, while the double-bubble roof improves headroom and features a clear sunroof pane. As with Koenigseggs of the past, the roof can be removed and stowed in the front trunk. Down the side, the incredible doors feed into huge ducts that feed the engine, while at the rear, an enormous diffuser houses what looks like a central-exit exhaust tip. This is actually a vent for the electric motors, while fishtail-style tips from Akrapovic line up with the diffuser fins. Above the sleek LED taillights is a flush tail that features an integrated deployable wing and airbrake. Wheels come in 19-inch sizing at the front with 20s at the back. Optionally, these can be made from carbon fiber, but each rim takes over a week to complete, so don't expect these to be cheap. If cost is of no concern, as it surely isn't if you're buying a car like this, you may wish to spec an aero package that adds a deeper front splitter, front canards, side-skirt winglets, and rear winglets. As usual, these are made from carbon fiber too.

The Regera looks a lot longer than it is, thanks to the sweeping and swooping tail, but it measures 179.5 inches long with a wheelbase of 104.8 inches. Width is an impressive 80.7 inches, while height is just 43.7 inches. The really interesting bit is the curb weight, which is only around 3,505 pounds. For a car with a massive engine, three electric motors, and enough battery capacity to manage more than 22 miles of electric range, this is incredible. By comparison, a Bugatti Chiron weighs 4,400 pounds. For all its ability and presence, keeping weight as low as it is in the Regera is a truly remarkable feat.

While we aren't privy to what colors were offered to each of the 80 buyers of the Regera, it's safe to assume that any shade you can imagine would have been created and applied with ease. We've seen white ones, powder blue ones, and orange ones, but in our opinion, the candy-apple-red finish is the best color for a car like this. The curves are accentuated and the entire car looks sensual and slippery as a result. Then again, even if the car were painted in the most demure gray imaginable, it would still look incredible.

The Regera's 5.0-liter twin-turbo V8 is an absolute bomb of an engine, but more power is always a good thing. Hence, the V8 is assisted by an electric motor on each rear wheel. Each of these produces 241 hp while a third electric motor on the crankshaft acts as a starter-generator and fills any torque gaps. This motor produces 215 hp on its own, leading to a total output of 1,489 hp and 1,475 lb-ft of torque. All of this goes to the rear wheels, but thanks to Michelin Cup2 tires, a trick suspension setup, and that direct drive transmission system, the Regera can accelerate from 0-60 mph in under 2.8 seconds and on to a (limited) top speed of 255 mph. However, the Regera is more than just a straight-line missile and can corner and stop like nothing else with this kind of power. It set a new record by getting from 0-400-0 kph (0-249-0 mph) in a little over 31 seconds, utterly obliterating the record previously set by the Bugatti Chiron, a car that took more than ten seconds longer to achieve the same feat. In fact, Koenigsegg already broke that record with the Agera RS with a time of 36.44 seconds, but Christian Von Koenigsegg is not the type of man to stop innovating - hence the Regera is even faster. If crushing Bugatti in such a manner doesn't put the Regera's incredible achievements in perspective, we don't know what will.

As mentioned above, the Regera doesn't have a typical power plant. The familiar 5.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 is there, but an electric motor on the crankshaft and a further two on the rear axle give the entire system a total output of 1,489 hp and 1,475 lb-ft of torque. With a transmission system called Koenigsegg Direct Drive that could best be described as a permanent seventh gear, one may expect poor throttle response or a fair deal of lethargy when it comes to accelerating from a stop. This is not the case. At speeds below 30 mph, the hydraulic coupler is allowed to slip, thus allowing the revs of the internal combustion engine to climb. Thereafter, the coupler locks in place for maximum efficiency. Thus, throttle response is incredibly sharp and with no gear changes, the power delivery is astonishingly smooth. Interestingly, gearshift paddles remain on the steering wheel. At rest, pulling both paddles puts the car in park while pulling just the left paddle engages reverse on the electric motors. Pulling the right paddle thus logically engages drive. While on the move, you can also pull back on the left lever to allow the revs to climb at a quicker rate, giving you the same kind of boost that downshifting would. All in all, Christian's invention is incredible and has taken everything into account, all while minimizing drivetrain losses and reducing weight. For a small company that doesn't have the backing of the Volkswagen group, the people at Koenigsegg have truly shown Bugatti up while slingshotting the auto industry forward.

The Regera features a very clever suspension setup that actually prefers to be less stiff than you'd expect. See, when a car pulls away, the rear end naturally squats, so instead of eliminating this trait, the Regera's engineers chose to embrace it and set the car up to make the most of this, thus enhancing traction. The result is a car that pulls away from the line with incredible grip. In addition, active front flaps and a foldable active rear wing work to increase downforce on both ends of the car. Adaptive dampers with Ohlins shocks are also fitted, helping improve grip but also providing a compliant ride. Koenigseggs are meant to encompass the brand's focus on creating some of the fastest cars in the world, but with the Agera, the company wanted to create something luxurious too. Thus, the Agera is comfortable and something of a GT version of the Agera, while still being blisteringly quick. It also feels good, with hydraulic steering providing plenty of feel and feedback. This car not only looks good but feels good, and the carbon-ceramic brakes are just as enjoyable to experience, with good feel and easy modulation. Still, the Regera does have a wild side, and turning the traction control off will result in the absolute vaporization of tires and potentially a very expensive crash if you're not careful.

The official EPA figures for the Koenigsegg Regera's fuel consumption are 11/11/11 mpg. This is even worse than the Agera RS. In that car, you can expect 11/18/13 mpg.

The stunning interior of the Regera is something wondrous to behold. Quilted leather, carbon fiber, and aluminum are in every direction you look, with even the roof panel getting special cowhide. Getting in is firstly something that seems glorious, thanks to Koenigsegg's unique door-opening mechanism, but navigating the incredibly wide sill and low roof can be a little tricky, especially if you're of a larger frame. Nevertheless, once you're in place, the ambiance is luxurious and there's an impressive amount of space. Heated seats are standard, and a digital driver info display offers numerous informative graphics, while a nine-inch touchscreen display handles infotainment.

As mentioned above, getting into the Koenigsegg Regera's cabin can be tricky. The sill is exceptionally wide thanks to the full carbon tub, but once your butt is planted in the two-seater, you find that you're in a very comfortable cabin. Six-footers won't have a huge amount of excess headroom, but it's not constricting either. In terms of legroom, there's plenty, and both the steering wheel and pedals can be adjusted to suit you and help you find the perfect driving position. Visibility out the front is rather good for such a wide car, but your blind spots are pretty much impossible to see. It's a cozy cabin but a luxurious one, and it certainly feels good enough to sit in for hours at a time.

The Koenigsegg Regera's interior is luxuriously appointed with plenty of gorgeous quilted leather on most panels. Where there isn't leather, you'll find beautiful aluminum, with the climate control vents and switchgear being standout details. The center console is modeled around a tunnel where the battery pack is housed and is fashioned from symmetrical carbon fiber that is glossy and perfectly aligned with every weave lining up. While we have no details on colors for the leather and contrast stitching, you can expect a car that costs $1.9 million to be available with pretty much any color scheme you like.

The trunk of the Regera is in the usual place for a mid-engined hypercar - the front. This frunk measures 5.3 cubic feet in volume and is pretty wide, although shallow. The design is suitable for a pair of very small carry-on suitcases, but is also perfectly shaped to accommodate the removable roof panel.

In the cabin, you see something that is very unusual in the world of supercars: not one, but two illuminated cupholders. You also get a special magnetic spot next to the steering wheel for your key, and a couple of other nooks for your phone and wallet.

The Koenigsegg Regera is remarkably well-kitted, with power-adjustable heated seats, a rearview camera, a digital driver info display, wireless charging, active engine and transmission mounts, regenerative braking, a foldable active rear wing, height-adjustable adaptive suspension, soft-close doors and hoods with hydraulic automatic opening mechanisms, active front wings, adjustable pedals, keyless entry and ignition, rain-sensing wipers, parking sensors, heated mirrors, a g-force sensor, ambient lighting, a removable roof, a dashcam, and an active titanium Akrapovic exhaust.

The infotainment system is produced entirely in-house by Koenigsegg and features a nine-inch touchscreen with a glass display utilizing infrared technology. The result is that the screen can be operated even with gloves on. In addition, you get a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and the ability to receive software updates over the air, as well as Bluetooth and wireless Apple CarPlay - although Christian Von Koenigsegg says that the system will be adapted to include Android Auto too, if a customer requires this. The system also features USB input and offers navigation. While we haven't had a chance to fully explore the system, it seems to be very responsive and shows vibrant graphics in high resolution - another bonus of using an infrared glass screen rather than a capacitive touchscreen.

Thus far, the Koenigsegg Regera has not been subject to any recalls, although it may be worth noting that 2013 models of the Agera - a vehicle with which the Regera shares many components - suffered a recall for a faulty tire pressure monitoring system in July of 2014.

While Koenigsegg makes no mention of warranty coverage on its site, test vehicles that have been refurbished by Koenigsegg come with a two-year warranty, so we expect at least this for new models.

The Regera has not, and will likely never be, intentionally crashed by any ratings agency. However, with a full carbon fiber monocoque that is even stronger than that of the Bugatti Chiron, as well as standard airbags, parking sensors, and more, expect the Regera to be safe.

As standard, the Regera features a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, a tire pressure monitoring system, and frontal and side-impact airbags. However, advanced features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and the like are not offered.

The Regera is something of a revolution for the Koenigsegg brand, ushering in a new era of alternative drivetrain solutions. In the future, the Regera will be remembered for introducing numerous world firsts, including the innovative Direct Drive system, a foldable rear wing, and hydraulically operated clamshell hoods and doors. So, it'll always be worth a lot of money. But as a car, is it any good? Well, it's incredibly civilized when you want to cruise quietly and offers remarkable comfort and convenience for a car of its capabilities. It's surprisingly easy to drive and offers thrills like no other car, thanks to a completely unique driving experience. It's also very exclusive, and will be known for breaking records set by the titan that is Bugatti. Just for the sheer intensity of the engineering and the skill of craftsmanship, the Regera is well worth its asking price. For the way it blends neck-breaking ability with relaxed driving composure, it's even more special. We'd have one in a heartbeat.

The Koenigsegg Regera was offered for a base price of $1.89 million before taxes and other charges in the early years of its life. While we don't know what the options cost, it's safe to assume that the asking price easily exceeded that. More recently pricing for a 2021 Koenigsegg Regera in the United States approached the $5.8 million mark.

Not much is known about the Regera's optional offerings, but one package that we do have some information on and which adds even more aggression to the Regera's beastly looks, is the aero package. Composed of carbon fiber parts, this package adds an extended front splitter, rear winglets, and side-skirt extensions that also have aerodynamic properties, directing turbulent air away from the wheels. This package increases overall downforce and looks incredible. If we were to order a Regera, we'd certainly add this package. Also available are carbon fiber wheels that each take over a week to produce.

As mentioned prior, there is only one version of the Regera on offer and only one package that we're aware of. We'd spec ours with this optional aero package. Further to that, we'd opt for that rich candy apple red paint and carbon wheels, while the interior would best be finished with black leather and red contrast stitching to match the exterior theme.

The king of top speed records, Bugatti, is no longer undisputed thanks to the likes of Koenigsegg, but that doesn't mean that the Chiron is a poor car. Extensive development took place to make it a better car overall than its Veyron predecessor, and it is just as attention-grabbing and impressive as the Regera, albeit more conventional in many ways. Thanks to a production run of 500 units, you'll be much more likely to see a Chiron in the metal than a Regera (only 80 were made). With a starting price nudging $3 million, the Chiron is also pricier, but with a top speed of 261 mph, it could well be worth the money. However, its novelty has worn off, and the Regera is the kind of car that will thrill every day, thanks in part to the inherent limits of a rear-wheel-drive setup. In addition, the Regera can easily switch to a roadster and has arguably even more tech under the skin. We'd have the Swede.

One-third of motoring's holy trinity, the McLaren P1 was a game-changer when it launched, offering an exciting way to talk about hybrid motivation. It cost around $1.3 million and produced a stupendous 903 hp from its 3.8-liter twin-turbo hybrid powertrain. While the Regera has features like a foldable rear wing, active engine and transmission mounts, and soft-close hydraulic doors, the P1 is very impressive too, with an F1-style energy regeneration and deployment system as well as an active wing that also has its roots in Formula 1. The P1 is truly a racecar for the road and looks far less opulent inside than the Regera. Its focus is almost exclusively on performance and it's all the better for it. However, in terms of bragging rights, the Regera demolishes it. Sure, 0-60 is achieved in the same 2.8 seconds, but top speed is only 217 mph. The P1 is incredible, but the Regera is truly astonishing.