In the ever-evolving world of hypercars, Koenigsegg’s Light Speed Tourbillon Transmission (LSTT) isn’t just a technical upgrade—it’s a paradigm shift. And the name Tourbillon is no accident. In the world of luxury timepieces, a tourbillon counteracts gravitational forces to enhance accuracy. For Koenigsegg, it’s a fitting tribute to the precision engineering and craftsmanship that make the LSTT feel like an act of mechanical defiance against physics itself.
“We added tourbillon to the name of the LST, as this mechanism represents the automotive equivalent of a high-end Swiss watch and is simply beautiful,” says Koenigsegg’s founder and CEO, Christian von Koenigsegg.
At the core of this system is Koenigsegg’s reworked Hot V8 engine—a 5.0-liter powerhouse delivering 1,500 horsepower (1,119 kW) and 1,106 lb-ft (1,500 Nm) of torque. The LSTT wraps around this monstrous engine with the precision of a Swiss timepiece, housing a sophisticated 3×3 gear arrangement that enables nine forward gears. Without a flywheel to slow the process, gear changes happen with unprecedented speed, unmatched by any other production transmission.
Traditional differentials? Gone. Instead, Koenigsegg employs a bevel gear system to transfer power directly to gear-train cassettes connected to the rear wheels. With hydraulic clutches managing torque distribution, the rear axle can either behave like a locked differential or completely disengage power when needed.
The front end is just as groundbreaking. A carbon fiber driveshaft connects to the “Bulldog,” Koenigsegg’s compact yet mighty front axle. Why the name? Because this little beast packs a bevel gear, two hydraulic clutches, and DarkMatter—a ferocious 805-horsepower (600-kW) electric motor delivering 922 lb-ft (1,250 Nm) of torque. Designed entirely in-house, DarkMatter features a six-phase configuration (instead of the usual three), reducing torque ripple and enhancing power delivery.
The Gemera offers three driving modes: pure internal combustion, hybrid (ICE + EV), or full-electric for a range of approximately 31 miles (50 km). In an unconventional twist, the LSTT omits a traditional reverse gear, relying instead on DarkMatter to handle backward motion. This same electric motor also eliminates the need for a starter motor, streamlining the drivetrain even further.
Koenigsegg’s pièce de résistance? The ability to achieve AWD with just a single electric motor. Using torque vectoring, DarkMatter can power each front wheel independently, send power back through the driveshaft into the LSTT, and, through its hydraulic clutches, distribute torque to each rear wheel.
The result? The ability to drive the car using just one wheel—whether powered by the engine, the electric motor, or both.
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