Techrules, an automotive research and development company based in Beijing, China, is unveiling the final production design of its Ren RS hybrid supercar this week at the 2018 Geneva International Motor Show. The single-seat race car is a lightweight, high-performance track version of the Techrules Ren road going supercar that was first unveiled at last year’s Geneva Motor Show. The Ren RS features a groundbreaking Turbine-Recharging Electric Vehicle (TREV) system. The hybrid powertrain delivers high levels of efficiency and performance using advanced micro-turbine technology to deliver an ultra-low environmental impact.

“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,” said William Jin, Techrules’ founder and CEO. “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.”

The drivetrain can be configured with either four or six axial flux, liquid-cooled electric motors manufactured by YASA in the UK. The four-motor set-up will drive all four wheels while the highest-power six-motor configuration has two motors for each rear wheel, and one for each front wheel. The four motors will produce 858 hp and 1,150 lb-ft of torque and the six motors will generate 1,287 hp and 1,725 lb-ft of torque and has a range of 1,170 km from 80 litres of diesel fuel. With its one forward gear, the Ren RS can accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 3 seconds and has a top speed of 330 km/h (205 mph). The car weighs in at 1,854 kg or 4,087 lbs.

“We have been working hard to establish major joint ventures with leading global companies to increase our international capability ahead of the launch of the electric REN supercar,” said William Jin, Chairman of Techrules. “We are also in advanced discussions with a number of potential new partners to form strategic alliances that will allow us to bring our cars to markets around the world and develop new products and commercial applications for our advanced propulsion system.”

The aerospace-inspired design of the 2017 Ren supercar was developed by world-renowned automotive designers, Fabrizio and Giorgetto Giugiaro, with a unique three-seat Le Mans-style configuration. The new Ren RS has been developed further by L.M. Gianetti to create the more driver-focused single cockpit layout beneath the distinctive fighter jet-style canopy, which rises from the centre of the car to allow driver access.

The exterior design of the Ren RS follows the classic design maxim of ‘form follows function’, with enlarged air intakes at the front designed to increase airflow through the radiators to improve cooling efficiency. Lightweight 380 mm carbon ceramic discs are fitted with six piston AP Racing calipers. The carbon ceramic discs save 30 kg (66 lbs) compared to the equivalent cast iron brakes and are more durable. The specially-developed traction control and torque vectoring systems enhance driving dynamics through two performance modes; Race for full power output, or Standard for increased fuel efficiency.

Inside, the driver sits comfortably in a protective carbon fibre race seat, manufactured by OMP to FIA-approved standards. To comply with FIA regulations, a fire extinguisher and six-point harness are also included.

The Ren RS is fitted with an innovative Safety Canopy Ejection system inspired by aerospace engineering. Six actuators are mounted under the cockpit bubble and controlled by the ECU through accelerometers, to automatically open the roof in case of impact or unusual yaw or pitch rate, operating at temperatures from -65° to 70°. The actuators are electric, rather than pyrotechnic, and therefore reusable 50 times. The bubble can also be ejected manually, using safety buttons located inside the monocoque for the driver, and on the exterior for race marshals to use in an emergency.

“With electric vehicles, an electric motor is used to drive the wheels, which effectively frees the combustion engine to exclusively convert chemical energy into mechanical energy and finally into electric energy,” said Matthew Jin, Techrules Chief Technology Officer. “This is a major breakthrough, making it possible for us to use the highly efficient turbine engine as a superb range extender on our vehicles.”

Techrules first presented its TREV technology at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show in its GT96 and AT96 concept cars. The ground-breaking range extender system uses a turbine to drive a generator which charges the battery pack. This provides electricity to drive the traction motors. Unlike many previously developed turbine powertrain systems, there is no direct electrical feed from the generator to the electric motors in normal operation. Only when the battery is depleted can the turbine be used to propel the car.

The Ren RS can be ordered with either one centrally-mounted high efficiency 30 kW turbine, or a high-power density two-80 kW turbine, with the turbines positioned either side to the rear of the cockpit.

The 28.4 kWh battery packs installed in the two lateral pods are designed and manufactured specifically for the Ren RS and incorporate battery management technologies that enable superior charging efficiency and power balancing between battery cells. The battery management system (BMS) is integrated and designed to optimise the performance and life of the battery while ensuring absolute safety. There are three water cooling circuits for the motors, battery and inverter. A heat exchanger (radiator) pack is attached to the front aluminium chassis plate and the cooling circuits are supplied by six electric pumps also mounted on the front plate.

The Ren RS will be available for track use only and will begin customer deliveries within two years.