Techrules, automotive research and development company based here, will have a shortlist of locations within months and a final decision is expected by the end of the year.
Techrules showed off the supercar concept at the Geneva Motor Show last month and highlighted its Turbine-Recharging Electric Vehicle (TREV) technology. The car is expected to go into production within three years. It then plans to begin production of higher volume city cars a few years later.
A development prototype started testing in February at the Silverstone race circuit in Britain.
Techrules founder and CEO William Jin (left) and chief technology chief Matthew Jin.
Producing peak power of 1,030bhp, initial projections indicate blistering performance (0 - 100kph in 2.5 seconds; 350kph restricted top speed) and a huge range (over 2,000km). Under plug-in operation, it achieves fuel consumption of just 0.18 l/100 km.
Techrules chairman William Jin said it will return to Geneva next year to show the progress made with the technology, including an update on the performance testing undertaken at the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
The TREV 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. In the patent-protected series hybrid powertrain system, the battery powers the motors that drive the wheels. Techrules claimed 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, it added.
