Koenigsegg has never been afraid to break the mold. The Swedish supercar maker, renowned for its out-there hypercars and record-breaking performance, is doing it again—this time in electric powertrains. Meet the Quark motor, a lean yet mean electric drive unit that’s making us rethink torque, power, and efficiency. Take a closer look at why this development is such a game-changer.
Rethinking the Electric Motor
Conventional electric motors usually employ radial flux or axial flux designs, both with advantages. But Koeniggg’s engineers, headed by Dragos-Mihai Postariu, went for something different. They developed a hybrid design that they term Raxial Flux—a system combining the high power density of radial flux with the torque benefits of axial flux.
This is not simply a thoughtful portmanteau. It’s a bottom-up rethink of how electric motors produce and transmit force. From the materials and cooling systems on down to the very nature of magnetic flow, the Quark motor has been engineered for greatest performance and lightest weight.
At its core is a shaft of 300M steel, which is a material that has widespread use in motorsports and aerospace. The rotor is created with Koenigsegg’s light Aircore hollow carbon fiber technology. These advanced materials contribute to the Quark motor’s weight being only 30 kilograms, and lighter still when parts are removed.
Big Power, Small Footprint
Despite its size, the Quark motor delivers serious performance: up to 600 Nm of torque and 250 kW of power. That’s the kind of output you’d normally expect from something far larger and heavier.
András Székely, head of electric motor design at Koenigsegg, highlights that each element was optimized to the best extent. Minimizing weight and enhancing both electrical and mechanical efficiency were among the key goals. Direct cooling is utilized by the motor, which is more efficient and space-saving compared to conventional techniques. Without additional driveline hardware, in its most efficient configuration, the Quark falls below 28.5 kilograms, with a class-leading torque-to-power-to-weight ratio.
But numbers are only part of the story. The Quark is calibrated to provide high torque at low speeds, making it ideal for snappy acceleration. In the Gemera, Koenigsegg’s hybrid hypercar, the Quark takes care of low-speed propulsion, with the internal combustion engine providing a smooth kick in at higher speeds right up to 400 km/h.
The Terrier Drive Unit: Small but Mighty Power and Precision
Koenigsegg stopped there with the engine. By pairing two Quark units with their proprietary David six-phase inverter and small planetary gearsets, the company developed the Terrier drive unit—a smart, torque-vectoring powerhouse for electric drivetrains.
What makes the Terrier so effective is its design. Most dual-motor drives need two inverters, but the David inverter divides its six phases across both Quark motors. Not only does this save weight and simplicity, but it also minimizes space requirements. The pancake design lets the inverter nest between them in a small, square package.
And that’s not merely a matter of saving space. The Terrier unit can be bolted onto a car’s chassis or monocoque, without having to fit bulky subframes. That creates thrilling possibilities for vehicle design, interior room, and performance usage.
Beyond the Hypercar World
Even though the Quark was created for the Gemera, its uses are much broader than Koenigsegg’s dealership. With its strength-to-weight ratio, torque-dense output, and direct drive, the Quark might just have a place in navy ships, aircraft, and VTOL systems—any vehicle where a high-torque, small-sized motor is required without the weight penalty of heavy transmissions.
As Koenigsegg founder Christian von Koenigsegg describes, most high-revving electric motors demand intricate step-down transmissions that weigh the car down and decrease efficiency. The Quark avoids this with a layout that places power precisely where it’s needed, no additional gearboxes necessary.
A New Era in Electric Drive
Koenigsegg’s Quark motor and Terrier drive unit are not incremental improvements—these are a revolutionary step forward in electric drive technology. With their clever design, leading-edge materials, and unparalleled efficiency, they create a new standard for what electric motors can deliver.
No matter what is driving the next hypercar, a high-speed boat, or even an airplane, Koenigsegg’s electric drive technology signals a future that’s faster, lighter, and more efficient, yet still performs.
