Koenigsegg Gemera – A New Era in Supercars
Koenigsegg plans to sell only 300 units of the Gemera, positioning it as a “world-market car.” Christian von Koenigsegg, the founder and CEO of this renowned Swedish supercar manufacturer, confirmed this exciting venture in a recent phone interview. The Gemera, a remarkable gasoline-electric hybrid grand tourer, boasts an impressive 1,677 horsepower and has been crafted to meet stringent regulatory standards in the United States.
However, due to U.S. regulations, the Gemera’s aerodynamic door-mounted side-view cameras, which replace conventional mirrors, may face challenges in reaching the U.S. market. The reason for this is the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 111, which mandates that all passenger vehicles come equipped with a “driver’s side outside rearview mirror.” Furthermore, a passenger’s side mirror is also required if the inside rearview mirror does not meet government-mandated field-of-view criteria.
Koenigsegg remains optimistic that the U.S. Department of Transportation will revise its safety standards to permit the usage of side-mounted cameras in lieu of traditional physical mirrors by the time the Gemera is slated for release in 2022. Nevertheless, Koenigsegg is preparing to adapt the Gemera to comply with existing standards if necessary. This contingency plan entails installing clip-on mirrors atop the cameras for U.S. models.
“Our strategy for the U.S. is if [side-mounted rearview cameras are] not legal by the time of delivery, then we will clip-on mirrors on top of the cameras,” said Koenigsegg. Consequently, U.S. versions of the Gemera might incorporate both cameras and mirrors, which would clash with the car’s sleek design and aerodynamic functionality.
Although we hope that clip-on mirrors will not be a requirement, it is essential to recognize the federal government’s hesitation to modify its regulations. Therefore, while the door-mounted cameras and accompanying A-pillar-mounted displays that convey the camera feed will most likely grace the U.S.-market versions of the Gemera, potential modifications could undermine the design’s aerodynamic advantages with mandated mirrors.
