Koenigsegg , the Swedish carmaker based in Ängelholm, has just revealed its dark secrets (i.e. the production-spec) behind Dark Matter, which is a brand-new electric motor built for the Gemera – its “family-focused” four-seater model.
We must remember, this was not just any motor—this is said to be the most powerful electric motor ever put in a mass production car. It produces around 800 horsepower (hp) and 1,250 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque.
Koenigsegg had to take a serious long and hard look at the Gemera’s design and think of new ways to make it even better. The new version they came up with had space for just one electric motor, so the team needed to create something truly special. Instead of just making an existing motor stronger, they went back to the drawing board.
They created a masterpiece
They eventually came up with an invention they called Dark Matter—a small but super-powerful motor that makes the Gemera lighter, faster, and way more fun to drive. And now, we finally know what makes it as brilliant as it is.
Dark Matter uses six-phase technology, which is a new form of technology for a production car. Most electric cars today use three-phase motors, but Koenigsegg doubled that, meaning electricity is sent to the motor in six separate waves of power.
Because of this, the car offers better efficiency and more power, as well as a smoother performance.
To understand why Dark Matter is such a big deal, you need to know a little about how electric motors work. There are two main types:
- Radial flux motors – These produce lots of power but less torque.
- Axial flux motors – These give high torque but slightly less power.
Koenigsegg wanted the best of both worlds, so they created a new type of motor called a raxial flux motor. It mixes both designs, giving the Gemera more power and torque without taking up too much space.
It’s really big power in a small package
Koenigsegg also made a few clever design choices to get the most out of Dark Matter. They increased the rotor diameter and adjusted the stator size to handle even more energy. This way, the motor stays compact while still delivering insane power.
So now let’s compare it to its predecessor, the Quark motor:
- Dark Matter size: 381.5 mm wide, 383.3 mm tall, and 135.5 mm deep.
- Quark size: 334 mm wide, 303 mm tall, and 112 mm deep.
- Dark Matter weight: 39 kg, only 9 kg more than the 30 kg Quark.
- Even though it’s slightly bigger, it’s still lightweight—probably because Koenigsegg used forged carbon-fiber casing to keep the weight down.
How does Dark Matter get its power?
Koenigsegg revealed that Dark Matter runs on an 850-volt battery, which is kept under the front seats of the Gemera. This battery has a 14 kWh capacity, which is enough to drive all four wheels.
Koenigsegg hasn’t revealed all the details yet, but the motor will likely use David, the company’s silicon carbide (SiC) six-phase inverter.
Most electric cars today use three-phase inverters, which means they send power in three separate waves to control the motor. But Koenigsegg’s David inverter is six-phase, meaning it sends six separate waves of power.
This same tech was in the Gemera show car from 2020, so it’s already a proven system.
A powerful motor is great, but it needs a smart transmission to match. That’s where Koenigsegg’s Light Speed Tourbillion Transmission (LSTT) comes in.
LSTT is a next-generation version of the Light Speed Transmission from the Jesko. It makes sure the Gemera delivers power smoothly to all four wheels. Plus, it allows for four-wheel torque vectoring, meaning the car can send power exactly where it’s needed for maximum grip and performance.
The LSTT transmission also works with Koenigsegg’s Tiny Friendly Giant (TFG) engine and the HV8 engine.
