Turbines turn up EV race

Techrules, a Beijing-based automotive research and development company, has appointed design and engineering partners to assist with the development and production of its advanced turbine-recharging electric supercar.

Techrules’ Turbine-Recharging Electric Vehicle (TREV) technology is an all-new patent-protected series hybrid powertrain technology comprising a turbine-generator. It combines extensive experience of aviation and electric vehicle technologies with several proprietary technical innovations to deliver unprecedented levels of efficiency and performance, and ultra-low environmental impact.

Producing peak power of 768kW (1,030bhp/1,044PS), initial projections indicate performance of 0-100km/h in 2.5 seconds; 350km/h restricted top speed and a huge range (over 2,000km). Under plug-in operation, it achieves fuel consumption of just 0.18l/100km (1,569mpg).

The new agreements are with automotive designers Fabrizio and Giorgetto Giugiaro, and experienced engineering and production specialist LM Gianetti.

The partnerships will focus on further developing the GT96 supercar – which was first presented as a concept at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show in March. The production version of the GT96 will have its global debut at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, by which time Techrules and its partners will be finalising the supercar’s development and fine-tuning its manufacturing processes.

William Jin, chairman of Techrules, said, ‘We chose to showcase our innovative TREV technology at this year’s Geneva Motor show because it is one of the most important annual auto shows. The level of interest in our technology and our next-generation electric cars proves that we have a formula that can make a major impact.’