Techrules, a new automotive research and development company based in Beijing, has started the process of identifying potential locations to establish its European production base. It plans to have a shortlist established within the next couple of months and a final decision will be made by the end of 2016.
A small team has been appointed to identify specific locations in Europe where it can establish a production facility for its supercar. The team is looking at existing sites that are currently or will soon become vacant, and also at possible sites where it could develop an all-new site from the ground up.
Techrules made its international debut at the 86th Geneva International Motor Show earlier this year. Billed as China’s first supercar concept, the AT96 features turbine-recharging electric vehicle (TREV) technology. Tech rules states that the TREV system is an ‘all-new patent-protected series hybrid powertrain technology comprising a turbine-generator’. Techrules states that its TREV technology 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’.
What this translates to is a claimed peak power figure of 768 kW (1,030 bhp / 1,044 PS), whilst delivering 0 – 100 km/h in 2.5 seconds and a top speed of 350 km/h. This is conjunction with a claimed range of over 2,000 km, thanks to delivering fuel consumption of just 0.18 l/100 km (1,569 mpg).
The company plans to the cars into the global market in the next two-to-three years. It then plans to begin production of higher volume city cars a few years later. It is currently exploring options for production facilities in Europe, as well as continuing negotiations with new development partners.