The smallest engine ever to power a production supercar

Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren and Bugatti are all examples of high-profile supercar manufacturers that have created some of the most intense production vehicles in automotive history. Another thing they all have in common is that you’ll rarely find fewer than eight cylinders under the hood, with some even using sixteen to get the blistering performance they desire. With the automotive industry increasingly adopting hybridized energy sources to achieve impressive power, it was only natural that the high-end landscape would also start experimenting more with the available technology.

And while there are a few notable hybrid supercars, such as the Ferrari SF90 Stradale and McLaren P1, they still adhere to the big engine ethos: there is no substitute for engine displacement. This is where Koenigsegg’s mad scientists flip the script. Not only have they reduced the displacement and number of cylinders, they have taken hybrid superpower to the extreme. Let’s check it out!

The Koenigsegg Gemera offers a three-cylinder engine called the “TFG”.

from Koenigsegg Advances in hybrid and electric vehicle technology go far beyond typical innovation: their technology pushes boundaries, even within the realm of supercars. While the production Gemera offers the brand’s signature twin-turbocharged V-8 powertrain, an alternative option showcases truly progressive hybrid technology. Originally intended as the sole power source for this model, the 2.0-liter three-cylinder engine, also known as the Little Friendly Giant (TFG)– represents a remarkable achievement in compact engine design.

This twin-turbocharged inline-three engine produces an impressive 592 horsepower independently, earning its place as the world’s most powerful three-cylinder engine that meets road emissions standards. The secret lies in the Freevalve technologywhich increases both adaptability and efficiency. Instead of relying on traditional camshafts, the engine uses a camless valve control system where solenoids directly control the intake and exhaust valves. This design dramatically expands the possibilities for variable valve timing, duration and valve height, all adjustable on demand via the driver’s controls. According to Koenigsegg, this revolutionary approach reduces emissions while driving by 15 to 20 percent and emissions during cold starts by up to 60 percent.

The turbo system is equally advanced. Each cylinder is equipped with two exhaust valves that direct the gases to one of the two turbochargers, depending on the engine load. This two-stage setup enables adaptive turbocharging: a single turbo works at low speeds, while the second kicks in at higher speeds. The first stage reaches maximum efficiency at 1,700 rpm, while the second stage activates as speed and pressure increase, delivering maximum torque over a wide range from 2,000 to 7,000 rpm. The engine revs at 8,500 rpm with a maximum boost pressure of 29 PSI.

The Dark Matter e-motor goes beyond modern capabilities

The original TFG engine debuted in the Gemera concept with three electric motors; one on the engine crankshaft and one on both rear wheels. Although when the three-cylinder arrived, as well as the “Hot V-8” option, both powertrains featured a single electric motor, called Dark Matter e-motor.

Developed by Koenigsegg, the Dark Matter e-Motor technology uses a Raxial Flux layout, a combination of radial and axial, to produce 800 horsepower on its own, making it recognized (by Koenigsegg) as the world’s most powerful automotive-grade e-motor with 6-phase technology.

Koenigsegg Gemera (TFG) specifications

Lightweight packaging makes the TFG even more versatile

Not only is the TFG extremely powerful (almost three times more powerful than the next most powerful inline-three), but it is also very light and small. This shouldn’t be a surprise as it only has three cylinders, but when you hear of its massive capabilities you would automatically think of a large unit. Weighing just 70 kilograms or approximately 154 pounds, the TFG is truly a small, gentle giant, with its small size allowing for massive automotive capabilities; the ‘friendly’ aspect of the name likely stems from the efficiency and environmental improvements. The Gemera benefits from this small engine by allowing more passenger space, which is enough for four seats, and also reaps the benefits of passive weight savings.

Possibilities that go beyond dazzling power

In addition to its remarkable powertrain, the Koenigsegg Gemera introduces several breakthrough features that complement its mechanical prowess. This model marks two major firsts for the Swedish manufacturer: it is their first all-wheel drive vehicle and their first offering with a four-seat capacity. The refined AWD architecture offers exceptional versatility, allowing the Gemera to operate with power distributed to all four wheels simultaneously, or selectively to the front or rear axle alone. This flexibility expands the vehicle’s capabilities for both customized driving dynamics and optimized efficiency, allowing owners to strategically distribute power based on driving conditions while maintaining advanced Torque Vectoring functionality.

The Torque Vectoring system adapts its performance characteristics to the selected driving mode. Patent documentation reveals a range of configurations, including front-wheel drive with electric-only operation, rear-wheel drive with combustion mode, rear-wheel drive with boost, all-wheel drive, regenerative braking and additional options. Essentially, the Gemera features an adaptive powertrain that can not only dynamically redistribute drive power between the axles, but also seamlessly switch between power sources – all determined by driver preferences and real-time performance demands.

Transmission upgrade provides more precision

Early previews of the Gemera showed a three-electric motor configuration paired with a single-speed direct-drive transmission. However, the final production specifications revealed a significant departure from this design: the three-motor setup and direct drive system were replaced by a single Dark Matter e-motor and a nine-speed automatic transmission. This nine-speed transmission is Koenigsegg’s patented Light Speed ​​Tourbillion transmission (LSTT), custom designed exclusively for the Gemera. The compact multi-clutch gearbox reduces the overall mass while increasing the supercar’s handling characteristics.

At the heart of the LSTT is UPOD (Ultimate Power On Demand) technology, which serves as the transmission’s intelligence system. UPOD instantly identifies and activates the ideal gear ratio to maximize acceleration potential. Combined with the LSTT’s multi-clutch architecture, the system analyzes both vehicle speed and engine speed to determine the optimal gear for peak performance. Perhaps most notable is the transmission’s ability to skip intermediate gears when shifting to the target ratio. The system can shift directly from seventh gear to fourth gear with lightning-fast precision, bypassing sixth and fifth gears entirely.

A lightweight chassis is the icing on the cake of high performance

The body of the Koenigsegg Gemera consists largely of carbon fiber, making it extremely light and durable. The monocoque chassis provides wheel-to-wheel stiffness, which translates into control and precision when driving at high speed and cornering. Adjustable, lightweight anti-roll bars at the front and rear, as well as robotic hydraulic ride height adjustment at the front and rear, give the Gemera greater versatility and precision that can be tailored to specific situations. These all provide the world-class powertrain with a solid platform to break the mold of high performance, while contributing to the legendary status that will inevitably be accorded the record-breaking supercar.

Future of the Koenigsegg Gemera

The Gemera started production in 2024 and orders would be ready in 2025. The Hot V-8 option introduced before production started proved to be the engine buyers wanted, as the twin-turbo V-8 is synonymous with Koenigsegg models. As a result, the Swedish manufacturer decided to postpone the long-awaited debut of the TFG. At the time of writing this article, Koenigsegg has yet to announce whether it will ever go into production.

Cristian Von Koenigsegg expressed his passion for the TFG, as well as the choice to include the V-8 option, during a conversation with Top Gear magazine podcast, which states:

“There were so few who asked for the three-cylinder [that] we managed to convince almost all of them [to buy the V-8]”

Even after the statement, CVS was adamant that the TFG story was not over, and in fact had only just begun, given the ongoing testing and refining taking place at Koenigsegg’s facilities, as well as Cristian stating that there will only be V-8 Gemeras “for now”. Regardless, the Gemera is a huge leap forward not just for the supercar landscape, but for the automotive landscape as a whole, thanks to the innovative technology that makes up almost every aspect of the sleek vehicle. Many are calling for the advanced technology to make its way into some mainstream models, although the idea of ​​future collaborations has yet to be officially entertained.