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| Chinese engineers changed the supercar rules, adding a very frugal on-board charger to an electric car for very fast acceleration. |
TECHRULES, the young automotive research and development company
based in Beijing, last week announced it is now looking for European cities in
which to a establish production base.
Techrules presented what it billed as China’s first supercar
concept at last month’s 86th Geneva International Motor Show. According to the
company statement, “the world premiere of its revolutionary turbine-recharging
electric vehicle (TREV) technology made a significant impact with media and
public guests alike.”
Engine that is all turbines
Techrules explains on its website it is a
company dedicated to the innovation of new energy technologies to advance the
environmental and dynamic performance of EVs as well as the convenience to the
user.
Its Turbine-Recharging Electric Vehicle system is an all-new
patent-protected series hybrid powertrain technology comprising a
turbine-generator.
Trev 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.
Trev is a range extender system that uses a micro-turbine to
generate electricity that charges a battery pack. The battery powers the motors
that drive the wheels. Newly developed battery management technologies enable
superior charging efficiency. The high efficiency of the Trev range extender
results in a requirement for fewer batteries, saving weight and space.
Techrules showcased its ground breaking technology at the 2016
Geneva International Motor Show in a plug-in hybrid range extender Trev concept
that represents the first step towards production of China’s first supercar. A
development prototype started testing in February 2016 at the world-famous
Silverstone race circuit in the UK.
Producing peak power of 768 kW (1,030 bhp / 1,044 PS), initial
projections indicate blistering performance (0 - 100 km/h in 2,5 seconds; 350
km/h restricted top speed) and a huge range (over 2 000 km). Under plug-in
operation, it achieves fuel consumption of just 0,18l/100 km (1,569 mpg).
Producing the Trev
At Geneva, Techrules said plans to launch
China’s first supercar into the global market in the next two to three years. It
then plans to begin production of higher volume city cars a few years later.
It is currently exploring options for production facilities in
Europe, as well as continuing negotiations with new development partners.
Techrules has now appointed a small team to
identify specific locations in Europe where it can establish a production
facility for its supercar.
The team is looking at existing sites that are currently or will
soon become vacant, and also at possible sites where it could develop an all-new
site from the ground up.
The company’s strong in-house engineering team is focused on
finalising the development and manufacturing processes of the production version
of its Trev micro turbine hybrid range extender technology.
Meanwhile, it will continue to progress vehicle engineering and
styling programmes for the AT96 and GT96 variants of its supercar with
specialist partners in the UK and Italy.
What next for Trev?
William Jin, chairman of Techrules, said the
tehcnology that drew such wide interest at Geneva will be updated with results
from performance testing the company will undertake in the coming year at the
Nürburgring Nordschleife.
Matthew Jin, president of Techrules. “We are a young company but
we have a bold vision. To see that so many highly respected industry analysts,
experienced executives and influential media understood our vision and believe
in its potential is incredibly inspiring.”
