Reflecting on the highlights from 2020, however few and far between I did stumble across some real gems. One of the most memorable had to be my first encounter with the Koenigsegg Gemera at Salon Privé Concours d’Elegance.
Back in 2002, the CC8S was one of my first pin-ups and took pride of place next to N’Sync and the Backstreet Boys posters on my wall of fame. Thankfully, my taste in cars was always much better than boy bands!
I’d first seen it with my dad on a Top Gear review and remember being mesmerised by the styling and loved the detachable roof that stored in the luggage compartment. Cut to a few decades later where I was very much enjoying hopping around the grounds of the supercar playground that is Salon Privé and encountered the Gemera on display for its UK debut.
As always whenever I am in the presence of a Koenigsegg I was struck by its beauty, looking closer, I found myself mesmerised again by that practicality, this time of the interior and the seating composition. Four beautifully crafted sports seats with two cup holders per person, a light airy cabin which was possible due to the dihedral doors and lack of b-pillars.
Obviously, it still boasted all those supercars and hypercar details that we’ve come to expect, carbon details, rear view cameras, carbon monocoque, titanium exhausts, lots of vents, stylish lights and wheels, but for me I loved the thoughtful finishes in the luxurious cabin alongside the astonishingly mega performance 1700bhp and 3500Nm of torque from standstill boasting 0-400 km/h in a single gear.
As it was on static display when I saw it, I did not see the all-wheel torque vectoring and steering in action however I’ve since seen the Top Gear testing videos on track which were awesome too. Amazing to think the mega GT can almost be carbon neutral running on pure electricity for up to 50 kilometres and “The Friendly Giant” engine can highway cruise in hybrid mode for another 950km. Such a positive step forward into the industry challenge to redesign for EV of the future without compromising on aesthetics and performance.
Altogether, an awesome day out!