GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Techrules Ren RS supercar revealed

Forget hydrogen, four-stroke, compression-ignition petrol engines or even hybrids, because the Techrules Ren RS supercar brings a new paradigm to car propulsion – twin-turbine power!

The Techrules Ren RS uses patented TREV technology (turbine-recharging electric vehicle) that effectively creates a very efficient and powerful range-extending system. First seen on the innovative and road-legal Techrules Ren supercar in 2017, the car's electric motors pound out an ungodly 960kW (1287hp) of power and 2340Nm of torque.

To put that in perspective, the Bugatti Chiron's 8.0-litre, 16-cylinder, quad turbo petrol engine is good for 1600Nm.

To its credit however, the Bugatti can still claim to be the world's most powerful production car, with an 1103kW peak power output.

The Techrules Ren RS is an extreme single-seat version of the brand's supercar show last year. Designed solely for race track use, this extreme machine has a range of 1170km, enough for several laps around the Nurburgring.

That's because the 1854kg track weapon has an 80-litre diesel fuel bladder, which feeds the turbines, providing a range-extending capability.

The turbines drive a generator that charges a 28kWh Lithium-ion polymer battery pack. The battery then runs a pair of electric motors driving the front wheels and a quartet of electric motors for the rear wheels. Combined, this sextet of motors blasts the Chinese supercar from 0-100km/h in 3.0 seconds flat.

Top speed? An eye-watering 330km/h or 205mph.

Most turbines operate at very high revolutions per minute, this one expected to do around 100,000rpm, and therefore can burn fuel very quickly and with very high exhaust temperatures (slipstreaming this car could be interesting!). The technology is similar to the jet engines of commercial and military aircraft.

Beijing-based Techrules reckons the car's hot exhaust is passed through a heat exchanger to recuperate energy and uses fuel at a rate of just 7.5L/100km, about the same as a small city hatchback.

The design is "aerospace-inspired" says Techrules and the body is built in Italy by Turin-based motorsport house, LM Gianetti.

The body work is wrought in a way that provides sound aerodynamics and downforce; the huge lip spoiler is designed to keep the front end stuck to the race track as airflow is directed around the car and into various vents, intakes and radiators to aid cooling.

The rear end features turbine exhaust vents and a large diffuser to smooth the air flow exiting under the vehicle. There's also a massive adjustable rear wing that ramps up downforce over the rear axle for more grip, or can reduce downforce for higher top speeds.

Deceleration is controlled by AP Racing carbon-ceramic rotors and 380mm six-piston brake calipers up front, 355mm four-piston calipers at the rear. Based on a stiff carbon-fibre tub, the Techrules Ren RS is designed to withstand high-impact collisions that occur on racetracks.

The twin turbine, six-motor setup is the most extreme combo available from Techrules, but potential buyers can get less extreme versions with just a single turbine and four electric motors (640kW/1560Nm).

It's not the first time a car company has toyed with turbines as part of the propulsion system. The Jaguar CX-75 concept made its global debut at the Paris motor show in 2010, powered by a pair of micro gas turbines. That vehicle fell into the "too hard" basket and never made it to production, despite buyer interest.

It sounds like pie-in-the-sky techno-gadgetry but the founder and CEO of Techrules, William Jin, reckons the micro-turbine technology has legs.

"The unique modular design of the Ren chassis and powertrain has enabled us to create a perfectly engineered high-performance track car and demonstrate our TREV technology in the most efficient way.

"We are working hard to grow our global capabilities in engineering and manufacturing and will soon reveal major joint ventures that will enable us to further develop our innovative technology for a wide range of commercial mobility and industrial applications."

Techrules has signed a memorandum of understanding with CRRC, one of the world's biggest rail transit parts suppliers to "jointly develop the TREV technology further," for deployment in CRRC's new rapid-transit rail system.

Wuzhoulong Motors is expected to use the TREV technology in its EV busses in China as well so even if Techrules automobile efforts fail to result in sales, the turbine technology may live on.

How does the turbine tech work?

Techrules describes the TREV system as such: "Air drawn into the micro turbine is passed through a heat exchanger where heat from the exhaust air is transferred to the cold intake air, and compressed before it is ignited.

"Ignition of the compressed and heated fuel-air mixture generates enormous energy which is channelled at very high speeds to turn the turbine vanes. As this hot exhaust gas is expelled, it passes through the heat exchanger to ensure the heat energy is recuperated and transferred to cold intake air."