The radical Koenigsegg Regera proves there’s life in petrol power yet with a record-breaking 0-248-0mph run
Hypercar technology is converging in 2023, with EVs coming to meet traditional ICE machines for raw grunt and performance. When the 1887bhp Rimac Nevera smashed a host of speed records last month to become the world’s fastest accelerating production car, it looked like EVs had finally pulled ahead – but not according to Koenigsegg.
The Swedish firm has deployed its hybrid-powered Regera hypercar to break Rimac’s 0-248-0mph record with an astonishing time of 28.81 seconds, beating the Nevera by 1.12 seconds. The new benchmark marks a return to the top for the Regera, which held the record before being dethroned by Rimac.
Back in 2019 the Regera completed the run in 31.49 seconds, but Koenigsegg was able to maximise the car’s potential this time with grippier Michelin Cup 2 R tyres and a smoother tarmac surface at the Orebro runway in Sweden. Beating the significantly more powerful Rimac is all the more impressive when you consider that the first Regera was built in 2018, with production ending last year.
Reaching 248mph from standstill in a staggering 20.68 seconds, the Koenigsegg also outpaced the Nevera in this metric, and it did so thanks to its highly unusual drivetrain solution. The Regera features a single-speed hybrid powertrain, combining a 1084bhp 5.0-litre supercharged and twin-turbocharged V8 engine with a trio of electric motors. A combined 1479bhp is sent to the rear wheels through the brand’s patent-pending ‘Koenigsegg Direct Drive’ system, allowing it to accelerate to 250mph without shifting a single gear.
‘This specific record is one that means a lot to Koenigsegg,’ said company founder Christian von Koenigsegg. ‘It’s a record that covers every aspect of extreme performance. The fact that the Regera can still surprise and amaze the automotive world after all this time is a testament not only to its timeless design, but to engineering and technology that was way ahead of the curve. It’s something that makes me extremely proud, and as the Jesko customer cars are being delivered, we can’t wait to show you what’s next.’
