The original CF wheels of the supercar maker were only functional. However, they look stunning on the new Regera.
Koenigsegg was the first automaker in history to use carbon fiber wheels on a car. The hollow “Aircore” wheels were designed, developed and manufactured in-house. They were stronger and lighter than conventional alloy wheels, but they were not as beautiful.
Koenigsegg emphasized function over form and focused on the technology’s functionality rather than on how it looked. The carbon wheel has advanced as Koenigsegg moved to its next-generation hybrid hypercar.
The Drive visited Koenigsegg’s factory in Angelholm for the inside scoop on the latest generation carbon wheel from Christian von Koenigsegg. You can watch the video below.
After having improved the Aircore technique, Koenigsegg could style the Regera’s wheels. Christian explains that the wheel’s light weight allowed designers to create shapes that were impossible with a metal rim. It would be either too heavy or weak enough. Christian says that hollow carbon fibre allows you to think differently. Christian also asserts that the styled wheel does not lose any strength from its functional predecessor.
The Regera’s twin-turbo V8 engine is 5.0-liter and backed by three electric motors. They produce 1479 horsepower (1103 Kilowatts) as well as 1465 pound-feet (1986 Newton meters) of torque. This is enough to propel the Regera from 0 to 60 mph (100 km/h) in just 2.8 seconds to reach a top speed exceeding 250 mph (402 km/h).
It does this without the traditional, inefficient gearbox. Instead, it uses Koenigsegg’s complex, direct drive system.
Ford will offer carbon wheels as an option for the GT supercar . Aftermarket suppliers like Dymag, Carbon Revolution and ESE Carbon Company also make them. Carbon wheels were originally developed for racing bicycles over 20 years ago.