Hybrid Hypercar Heavyweights
Before the Ferrari SF90 Stradale arrived with its twin-turbocharged V8 and tri-motor setup, the Koenigsegg Regera had already introduced a similar configuration back in 2015. But which one executed the formula more effectively? Carwow recently pitted the two models against each other in a drag race to see which performs better — at least in a straight-line showdown.
The version used in the drag race was the SF90 XX, the most extreme iteration of the nameplate. Weighing around 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs), the Ferrari is powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 paired with three electric motors, producing a combined 1,030 horsepower and 593 lb-ft of torque.
In comparison, the Regera features a 5.0-liter twin-turbo V8 running on E85 fuel and a tri-motor setup, delivering a combined 1,500 horsepower and 1,475 lb-ft of torque. The Swedish hypercar is also lighter, tipping the scales at approximately 1,590 kg (3,505 lbs).
Power Without Shifts
However, the key difference between the two lies in their transmissions. The SF90 XX uses an 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox, while the Regera employs Koenigsegg’s unique Direct Drive (KDD) system — effectively a single-speed setup. At low speeds, the Regera operates on electric power. As speeds increase, a hydraulic coupling progressively feeds power from the engine to the rear wheels without traditional gear changes.
One advantage of this design is lighter, simpler packaging with fewer moving parts, though it can be more challenging to manage heat under sustained high-load conditions.
During the drag race, the Ferrari won convincingly. However, the Koenigsegg driver said the car was experiencing hybrid system issues and had to limit its performance. On the second run, the Swedish hypercar bounced back and beat its opponent — though this time, the Ferrari driver claimed he had a poor gearshift, which affected the result.
On the third run, the SF90 XX completed the quarter mile in 10.2 seconds — 1.1 seconds quicker than the Koenigsegg. The drivers initially planned another standing start, but the Regera’s owner decided against it, saying an additional launch could risk damaging the clutch-slip mechanism. Instead, they opted for a rolling race. This format proved more favorable for the Koenigsegg, as it went on to win both the quarter-mile and half-mile rolling runs comfortably.
A Tale of Two Hypercars
In this particular test, the Koenigsegg looked like it had a slight edge in outright pace, but the KDD system appeared more sensitive under repeated hard launches. The Ferrari, on the other hand, delivered more consistent off-the-line performance thanks to its all-wheel-drive setup and conventional gearbox.
Koenigsegg produced just 80 Regera units, with the example featured in the drag race reportedly valued at £3,000,000 (around $4 million at current exchange rates). Meanwhile, the Ferrari used in the test carries a price tag of £674,000 (approximately $902,061). Both limited-production hypercars are road legal, with the SF90 XX marking the first XX-series model to be homologated for public road use.
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