--- title: "The World Won’t Get a Three-Cylinder Koenigsegg Because Rich People Are Lame" description: "The \"Tiny Friendly Giant\"-equipped Gemera would've made 1,400 horsepower. But the V8 crowd always gets its way." date: "2024-07-17" modified: "2024-07-17" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/the-world-wont-get-a-three-cylinder-koenigsegg-because-rich-people-are-lame" categories: - "Koenigsegg News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "Supercar" --- # The World Won’t Get a Three-Cylinder Koenigsegg Because Rich People Are Lame ![]() *Koenigsegg* So few people in the world have the money and opportunity to buy a [Koenigsegg](), but when those very people were presented with the chance to order one of the most unique hypercars in the world, they blew it. The Koenigsegg [Gemera]() was to be sold with a choice of two different twin-turbo, hybrid powertrains: one with a V8, and another with a three-cylinder. A *600 horsepower* three-cylinder, at that. The latter would've been a rare breed of hypercar, no doubt. But it isn't happening, because all of Koenigsegg's clients opted for eight cylinders instead. During an episode of the *[Top Gear Magazine Podcast]()* (h/t to *[CarBuzz]()*), Christian von Koenigsegg said that there were so few orders for the three-cylinder Gemera that he ended up convincing the few who did request them to switch to the V8, too. ![]() **Koenigsegg** "In a nutshell, they all turn into V8s," Koenigsegg told *Top Gear's* Jack Rix. "There were so few left that asked for the three-cylinder, we managed to convince almost all of them \[to switch engine orders\]." Admittedly, the hybrid V8's specs are tempting. With the 5.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V8, paired to Koenigsegg's innovative "[Dark Matter]()" radial-flux electric motor, the Gemera makes an astonishing 2,300 hp and 2,038 lb-ft of torque. That's almost *1,000 horsepower* more than the three-cylinder Gemera's combined 1,400 hp. Sure, I get that it's hard to turn down an additional 1,000 hp. But isn't 1,400 enough? Koenigsegg never released official performance specs for the three-pot Gemera, but they likely weren't too far behind the V8's, due to it being significantly lighter. More importantly, the three-cylinder was more *interesting*. And don't rich people have enough supercars with outrageous power and performance? With V8s, no less? The Gemera's 2.0-liter [twin-turbo three-pot]() lies somewhere in the blurred line between Christian von Koenigsegg's brilliance and madness, with some of the most advanced ICE tech ever developed. Using Koenigsegg's Freevalve system, something he's been working on for over a decade, the turbo-triple doesn't use camshafts like a traditional engine. Instead, it uses computer-controlled, electro-hydraulic-pneumatic lifters to operate the engine's intake and exhaust valves. Freevalve allows for infinitely variable valve timing, to adjust for extreme performance, extreme efficiency, and everything in between. Such variable exhaust valve timing also means improved turbocharger response. So despite its compact size and low cylinder count, Koenigsegg's "Tiny Friendly Giant" engine made 600 hp. When paired with that same Dark Matter electric motor, the three-pot Gemera developed 1,400 hp and 1,364 lb-ft of torque—200 hp more than the quad-turbo, 16-cylinder Bugatti Veyron Super Sport. ![]() ![]() ![]() Is there a chance Koenigsegg's three-cylinder engine will ever see the light of day? "It's still interesting, we're still working on it," said Koenigsegg. "We might eventually do it in the Gemera, as well, perhaps one day in some version." Koenigsegg's three-cylinder engine is one of the most fascinating engines of this century, made even more interesting by the fact that it powered a multi-million-dollar hypercar. While the door isn't completely shut on the TFG, there's a good chance we never see it in a production car, because people with means have no imagination. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()