Chinese Startup Teams with Italian Partners on Turbine-Electric Supercar

Beijing-based Techrules is partnering with two Italian companies— GFG Progetti and L.M. Gianetti—to develop a production version of the 1,030-hp turbine-electric GT96 hybrid concept car it unveiled at this year’s Geneva auto show, Automotive News reports.

GFG Progetti, which was formed earlier this year by Legendary designer Giorgetto Giugiaro and his son Fabrizio, will provide design expertise for the program, AN says. The two Giugiaros left Italdesign Giugiaro Spa last year after selling their remaining stake to Volkswagen AG’s Audi unit.  

Gianetti, which is known for its work with Fiat and its Abarth and Alfa Romeo brands, specializes in performance-oriented engineering services. It also provides low-volume manufacturing support with a capacity of about 25 vehicles per year.

The GT96’s range-extender hybrid drivetrain teams a micro-turbine system with six electric motors and a 20-kWh lithium-manganese-oxide battery pack. Techrules says the design allows for a smaller battery and fewer cells than those required by traditional hybrid-electric systems.

The company says it has tested the high-powered hybrid vehicle at 217 mph with a claimed 0-to-62 mph time of 2.5 seconds. The GT96 can run on biogas or natural gas. Techrules’ other turbine-electric concept model, the AT96, can run on gasoline, diesel or aviation kerosene.

Techrules plans to show an updated version of the GT96 next March in Geneva with a goal of launching production within three years. The company’s ambitious plans also call for launching an unspecified city car early next decade.

Techrules is a subsidiary of China’s TXR-S group, which describes itself as a research and development company that specializes in new materials, biogas production and aerospace systems.