In a surprising twist, Koenigsegg announced it won’t be building the three-cylinder version of the Gemera after all. The hypercar maker, renowned for its thunderous V8s, had shocked enthusiasts with the introduction of a twin-turbocharged 2.0-litre three-cylinder engine for the Gemera. But it turns out, buyers weren’t as keen on the “Tiny Friendly Giant” as Koenigsegg had hoped. Faced with minimal interest, the company successfully persuaded potential buyers to opt for the V8 variant instead.

CEO Christian von Koenigsegg revealed this development on the Top Gear Magazine podcast earlier this month. However, the technology isn’t being abandoned. Koenigsegg is continuing to refine the three-cylinder engine, and it may still find its way into a future version of the Gemera. But for now, the V8 reigns supreme, which is a bit of a letdown for those excited about the innovative hybrid setup.

The Tiny Friendly Giant was part of a powerful hybrid system that combined the 2.0-litre three-cylinder engine with three electric motors, delivering a whopping 1,700 horsepower and 3,500 Nm of torque. This setup enabled the Gemera to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in a blistering 1.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 400 km/h.

For the foreseeable future, the Gemera will exclusively feature the V8 engine. This twin-turbocharged 5.0-litre V8 churns out an astonishing 2,300 horsepower and 2,750 Nm of torque on E85 fuel. Production is set to begin later this year, with customer deliveries starting in 2025. Koenigsegg plans to build just 300 units of this high-performance machine.