Elite Traveler Summer 2020

Koenigsegg (pronounced cone-ing-seg ) classifies its automobiles not as hypercars but rather megacars. Technically, when a vehicle pushes over 1,300 hp, it’s the equivalent to one megawatt of power. Although it might sound pedantic, the megacar proof lies in the single-gear, 1,500 hp plug-in hybrid Regera. It currently holds the production-car record for the fastest 0 to 248 mph back to 0 mph in the world. The key to its acceleration lies in the twin-turbocharged 5.0-liter V8 engine that works with three electric motors: one for each rear wheel plus an auxiliary motor. Unlike vehicles with gearboxes, it relies upon a direct drive transmission. It’s like starting a car in sixth or seventh gear, but without the lag time. One gear wonder Koenigsegg Regera

Delights abound. The size of an infant’s hand, the car key has six functions and a dedicated magnetic slot close to the wheel. It may seem peculiar to mention, but the mere existence of two cup holders (versus the typical one in hypercars) is refreshing. The removable roof slides fit perfectly into the front trunk. A full axle lift raises both front and rear, allowing the healthy amount of carbon fiber underpinnings to remain intact. The duo of fishtail exhausts cull inspiration from the coaches of the 1920s. Koenigsegg prides itself on fabricating the majority of its components in-house, meaning everything, down to the Aircore rims with optional gold lining, can be customized. From $2.21m, koenigsegg.com

Lithe wire Pagani Huayra Roadster BC When Pagani Automobili redesigned its Huayra (pronounced wire-ra ) Roadster, the Italian hypercar house fixated on a pair of driving forces: added performance and decreased weight. Coupes consistently weigh less than roadsters, due mainly to supplementary stabilization and safety. Evolving from Huayra Coupe to Huayra Roadster, the brand shed 154 lbs. The transition from Roadster to Roadster BC, meanwhile, sees Pagani shaving another 66 lbs off. Sitting at 2,756 lbs, the Huayra Roadster BC weighs 300 lbs less than a Toyota Prius, courtesy of a smattering of new materials. Carbo- Triax, for example, is a composite technology based on carbon fiber and carbon-titanium that increases both torsional and flexional rigidity. Considered to be one of the first to implement the extensive use of carbon fiber two decades ago, Pagani’s

Huayra Roadster BC employs a new Titanium six-exhaust pipe system: The two extra direct outlets assist with generating further downforce. Already pre-sold, only 40 Huayra Roadster BC’s will be built, a departure from the company’s typical 100-unit allotment. From $3.38m, pagani.com

hp. A rear-wheel-drive transmission paired with the seven-speed Xtrac sequential gearbox and a lightweight single (versus dual) clutch further reinforces the impressive power-to- weight ratio. Pagani’s signature quad exhaust feature is rear and center, although the

paterfamilias, Horacio Pagani, continues to artfully weave the hyper-lightweight fabric through his vehicles. It comes as no surprise that the Huayra Roadster BC is practically painted in carbon fiber. Underneath the hood, a new 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged V12 developed for Pagani by Mercedes-AMG boasts 802

Photo Philipp Rupprecht