A Chinese tech company has just unveiled its first supercar.
Called the Techrules Ren, this supercar features proprietary Turbine-Recharging Electric Vehicle (TREV) technology and was unveiled at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show. The Ren, which is a production car and not a concept, has an aerospace-inspired design crafted by designers Giorgetto and Fabrizio Giugiaro.
Riding on a lightweight chassis designed and constructed by motorsport specialist L.M. Gianetti of Turin, the Techrules Ren can be configured with one of three polycarbonate canopies: one for track use by only the driver, two for the “Le Mans” configuration with a single passenger or three to accommodate a driver and two passengers.
While it’s certainly stylish and looks like a supercar, what’s most interesting is the TREV system that the company first introduced last year in Geneva. Techrules says the “hybrid powertrain technology delivers unprecedented levels of efficiency and performance, and an ultra-low environmental impact.”
The system uses an all-new range extender system that takes advantage of a turbine to drive a generator that charges the battery pack. Unlike previously developed turbine systems, this one has no direct electrical feed from the generator to the electric motors in normal operation. Only when the battery is depleted does the turbine kick in to propel the car.
2017 Geneva Motor Show Coverage
There will be a variety of configurations available, but the flagship version has a 25-kWh battery with two motors at the front and four at the rear, delivering a maximum of 1,287 horsepower and 1,725 pound-feet of torque while returning a range of 727 miles (1,170 kilometers) from 21 gallons (80 liters) of diesel fuel on the generous European cycle. Other configurations include a two-motor setup with 429 hp and 575 lb-ft of torque and four motors with 858 hp and 1,150 lb-ft of torque. Those looking for even more range can opt for a 32-kWh battery pack.
Inside, there’s quite a bit of luxury with the finest Italian leather with seat cushions finished in a denim produced by high-end designer clothing company, Pantoloni Torino.
Techrules promises the Ren will enter low-series production in 2018 and the company has been testing at the Monza Circuit in Italy. A limited run of track versions will also be available that are hand built by L.M Gianetti in Italy.
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