Chinese firm Techrules has revealed a production-ready version of its high-performance turbine-electric hybrid performance car.
The RenRS uses the company’s innovative Turbine-Recharging Electric Vehicle powertrain, dubbed TREV. The technology was first displayed at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, and two years later Techrules has returned to the Swiss event with a production-ready version.
The powertrain is a range extender, where an electric motor provides propulsion and a traditional engine is on hand to keep the batteries topped up. However, instead of using a petrol- or diesel-powered internal combustion engine as back-up, the RenRS uses a turbine.
Matthew Jin, chief technology officer at Techrules, noted that using electric motors to power cars freed up traditional engine technologies to be used in a more efficient way, for example to prolong a vehicle’s range and reduce emissions.
He said: “This is a major breakthrough, making it possible for us to use the highly efficient turbine engine as a superb range extender on our vehicles.”
The electric motors are built by British firm Yasa, and buyers will be able to choose between four- or six-motor set-ups. The four-motor system uses one motor for each wheel, while the higher-performance six-motor system uses two on each rear wheel and one on each front wheel.
The other option for buyers will be whether to have a centrally mounted high-efficiency 30kW turbine, or two high-power density 80kW turbines either side behind the cockpit for the full performance offering.
I have to admit, my favourite modern racing car aesthetic is ‘take away as much rear bodywork as possible, add an enormous wing and big diffuser’ and this Techrules Ren RS (a bizarre electric-ish thing from China) is nailing it. pic.twitter.com/tqk59tVpwx
— Jake Yorath ???????? (@jakeyorath) March 5, 2018
Techrules claims the maximum performance available is 1,287bhp and 2,340Nm of torque, with accelerating from zero to 60mph taking less than three seconds. Top speed is said to be 205mph.
The Chinese company has invested heavily in its Beijing-based research and development programme. It says it has been testing various micro-turbine technologies and is working on partnerships with other firms that could use its powertrains.
One such firm is bus manufacturer Wuzhoulong Motors, which will use the TREV powertrain in its vehicles because it removes the ‘range anxiety’ that purely electric buses suffer.
