PAG 12.2 Research Report – Koenigsegg
Gemera: Engine Innovation Through Physics
Introduction
A significant transformation has taken place in the automotive industry in
recent years for several reasons: the demand for energy efficiency, the
demand to lessen the environmental concern, and the ever-growing need
for performance. Primarily, this evolution is caused by applying a higher
realm of physics to engine design. Foremost in this category is the
Koenigsegg Gemera hyper car, which boasts the two revolutionary
propulsion systems: the Tiny Friendly Giant (TFG) internal combustion
engine and the Dark Matter electric motor. These two systems represent
fundamentally different ways of generating motion-from combustion and
thermodynamics to electromagnetism and electric current. This paper
covers the physics behind these two systems and then compares their
efficiencies, design, and performance.
The TFG engine is a real-life thermodynamic application, specifically, the
pressure-volume relationship and energy transfer of combustion as per
the Otto cycle. On the other hand, the Dark Matter electric motor uses
electromagnetic induction and Lorentz force to produce rotation. These
technologies give the great opportunity to observe the phenomena of
work done, efficiency, force, and energy transformations in the realm of
automotive engineering. By comparing the two systems, this report
intends to establish a connection on how fundamental physics applied in
performance vehicles lead to innovations in the field and thus promote
the broader issues of environmentally sound transportation alternatives.
Physics Behind the TFG and Dark Matter Motor
The Tiny Friendly Giant (TFG) Engine
The TFG is a twin-turbo three-cylinder 2.0L making 600hp, with a twist —
no traditional camshaft. Instead, that role falls to Koenigsegg's patented
Free valve system, where solenoid actuators in the engine open and close
each valve on an individual basis, no camshafts necessary. That provides
variable valve timing and lift of the air-fuel charge, for additional
optimization of mixing and combustion.
TFG engine can be physically understood to operate on the Otto-cycle:
induction, compression, power, and exhaust. In both processes chemical
potential energy of a fuel is transformed into kinetic energy. The first law
of thermodynamics is particularly applicable since it addresses where the
energy is headed in the engine. The expanding gases work as they
expand in the power stroke and propel the piston and the car.
