New Koenigsegg Raw hints at entry-level supercar

Koenigsegg has revealed how it plans to temporarily turn its back on million-dollar hypercars to challenge cheaper supercars with its entry-level Raw, which is named after the Swedish car-maker's design house.

Created to fight the Ferrari F8 Tributo and McLaren 720S supercars, the Raw features a striking three-seat layout, a full carbon-fibre monocoque and an advanced three-cylinder engine.

Claimed to weigh just 700kg, the impossibly light Raw's 'Freevalve' engine is said to pump out a heroic 515kW, giving it a near 1:1 power-to-weight ratio.

The Freevalve engine, which has already been previewed by the hybrid Gemera, uses actuators to open and close valves instead of camshafts – a solution that offers infinite adjustment to boost both efficient and power/torque.

Inside the Raw, Koenigsegg has followed in the tyre tracks of both the McLaren F1 and most recent Speedtail by developing a central driving position flanked on both sides by a passenger.

Featuring an all-new, more angular design language and a gaping front air-intake, the shrink-wrapped body of the Raw suggests small dimensions, while the wraparound screen and double-bubble roof mimic a jet fighter.

At the rear, the minimalist approach continues with a full-width slim LED light bar, part-exposed rear wheels, narrow rear boot deck vents and an enormous rear diffuser, all hinting at an advanced aero package that might incorporate active elements beneath the skin.

There are no performance claims, but the Raw is expected to be near hypercar-quick with a 0-100km/h time of less than three seconds, and a top speed in excess of 330km/h.

Designed by Finnish designer Esa Mustonen as part of his graduate thesis, the Raw's gestation has been supervised by former Bugatti Chiron designer and current Koenigsegg design boss, Sasha Selipanov.

It's thought the new Raw could be green-lit for production following approval from company founder Christian von Koenigsegg.

There's no word when the new Koenigsegg supercar will arrive but, after a 20 per cent stake of the Swede firm was bought by Sino-Swedish company NEVS, the car-maker has declared it will increase its production from hundreds of cars a year to thousands.