Why Koenigsegg’s Freevalve Engine Is Revolutionary

The automotive industry has long been dominated by internal combustion engines (ICEs) that rely on camshafts to control valve timing. While this technology has been refined over more than a century, it remains inherently limited by mechanical constraints. Enter Koenigsegg’s Freevalve technology—a groundbreaking innovation that redefines engine efficiency, performance, and flexibility. By replacing traditional camshafts with pneumatic-hydraulic-electronic actuators, Freevalve offers unprecedented control over valve operation, unlocking a new era in combustion engine design.

The Limitations of Traditional Camshaft Engines

To appreciate the significance of Freevalve, we must first understand the constraints of conventional engines. Traditional internal combustion engines use camshafts—rotating shafts with lobes that push valves open and closed in sync with the crankshaft. While this system has proven reliable, it suffers from several key limitations:

1. Fixed Valve Timing – Camshafts operate on a fixed profile, meaning valve lift, duration, and timing cannot be adjusted dynamically. Variable valve timing (VVT) systems mitigate this to some extent but remain restricted by mechanical linkages.
2. Mechanical Friction & Energy Loss – The camshaft, lifters, pushrods, and rocker arms introduce friction, reducing efficiency.
3. Limited Flexibility – Cam profiles are optimized for specific RPM ranges, forcing compromises between low-end torque and high-end power.
4. Complexity in Cylinder Deactivation – Traditional engines struggle to deactivate cylinders smoothly due to fixed valve mechanisms.

These limitations have long been accepted as unavoidable trade-offs—until Freevalve challenged the status quo.

How Freevalve Works: A Paradigm Shift

Koenigsegg’s Freevalve system eliminates the camshaft entirely, replacing it with individual actuators for each valve. These actuators use a combination of pneumatic, hydraulic, and electronic controls to open and close valves with extreme precision. Here’s how it works:

• Pneumatic Springs – Instead of metal valve springs, Freevalve uses compressed air to return valves to their closed position, reducing inertia and wear.
• Hydraulic Pressure – Oil pressure assists in valve actuation, ensuring rapid and precise movement.
• Electromagnetic Control – Solenoids regulate valve timing independently for each cylinder, allowing real-time adjustments.

This setup provides fully variable valve actuation (FVVA), meaning each valve can be controlled in terms of:

• Lift (how far the valve opens)
• Duration (how long it stays open)
• Timing (when it opens and closes relative to the piston position)

The Revolutionary Benefits of Freevalve

1. Unmatched Efficiency

By optimizing valve timing for every operating condition, Freevalve engines achieve 20-30% better fuel efficiency compared to conventional engines. The system can:

• Reduce pumping losses by keeping intake valves open longer at low RPM.
• Enable ultra-lean burn modes by fine-tuning air-fuel mixtures.
• Eliminate the need for a throttle body (similar to diesel engines), further improving efficiency.

2. Higher Power Output

Without the constraints of fixed cam profiles, Freevalve engines can maximize airflow at all RPMs. This results in:

• More aggressive valve lift for increased volumetric efficiency.
• Optimized exhaust scavenging, reducing backpressure and improving turbo response.
• The ability to run higher compression ratios without knock, thanks to precise control over combustion dynamics.

3. Reduced Emissions

Freevalve’s ability to adjust valve timing on the fly allows for:

• Better cold-start performance by altering valve overlap to heat up the catalytic converter faster.
• Controlled cylinder deactivation for reduced emissions during low-load conditions.
• Compatibility with alternative fuels, including hydrogen and synthetic e-fuels, by adjusting combustion parameters in real time.

4. Simplified Engine Design

Despite its advanced technology, Freevalve actually reduces mechanical complexity by eliminating:

• Camshafts, timing belts/chains, and associated tensioners.
• Variable valve timing (VVT) mechanisms.
• Throttle bodies in some applications.

This leads to lighter, more compact engines with fewer moving parts—meaning lower maintenance costs and increased reliability.

5. Adaptability to Future Technologies

Freevalve is not just an improvement for gasoline engines—it’s a platform for future powertrains:

• Hybridization – The system can seamlessly integrate with electric motors, optimizing combustion for range-extended EVs.
• Hydrogen Combustion – Precise valve control is critical for hydrogen engines, making Freevalve an ideal solution.
• Opposed-Piston Designs – Freevalve could enable radical new engine architectures that were previously impractical.

Real-World Applications & Challenges

Koenigsegg has already implemented Freevalve in its Gemera hypercar, a 2.0L 3-cylinder engine that produces 600 horsepower—a figure unimaginable for a traditional engine of this size. Meanwhile, Chinese automaker Qoros (backed by Koenigsegg) has experimented with Freevalve in production cars, proving its viability beyond hyper-exclusive vehicles.

However, challenges remain:

• Cost – The system’s complexity makes it expensive for mass-market adoption.
• Durability – Long-term reliability in everyday driving conditions must be proven.
• Industry Resistance – Legacy automakers may be slow to abandon camshaft-based designs.

Conclusion: A New Chapter in Combustion Engines

Koenigsegg’s Freevalve technology is not just an incremental improvement—it’s a fundamental rethinking of how internal combustion engines operate. By granting software-controlled precision over valve actuation, it unlocks efficiency, power, and flexibility that were previously unattainable. While widespread adoption may take time, Freevalve represents a bridge between traditional ICEs and future sustainable powertrains, ensuring that the combustion engine remains relevant in an electrified world.

For now, it remains a hallmark of Koenigsegg’s engineering brilliance—but in the coming decades, we may look back at Freevalve as the moment the automotive industry truly evolved.