Capstone Turbine Corp. is pushing traditional hybrid-electric vehicle barriers with the introduction of the CMT-380, a high-performance, hybrid-electric supercar powered by traditional batteries and an untraditional, ultra-low emission, range-extending microturbine.
The Capstone microturbine is essentially an ultra-clean and quiet jet engine under the hood. The prototype hybrid-electric supercar with microturbine technology will debut at the LA Auto Show Dec. 2-13.
The CMT-380’s is marked by some impressive performance numbers: 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds, 150 mph top speed and a massive driving range of up to 500 miles on a single tank of fuel, all with ultra-low exhaust emissions that rival any hybrid on the market today.
Capstone and Hilleman’s microturbine hybrid supercar features a Capstone C30 (30-kilowatt) microturbine that runs on diesel or biodiesel, which is housed inside a sleek Factory Five Racing GTM body. The Capstone C30 microturbine is so clean it does not require any exhaust after treatment to meet stringent clean air requirements of the California Air Resources Board or EPA 2010.
The CMT-380 features lithium-polymer battery cells that can be charged at home or at a public recharging station. While driving, the sports car can operate on 100 percent battery power in zero-emissions mode for a range of up to 80 miles. When the batteries reach a pre-determined state of discharge, the Capstone C30 microturbine quietly fires up and recharges the batteries on the fly to extend the driving range up to 500 miles.
The diesel-fueled C30 microturbine requires less maintenance than traditional combustion engines and produces ultra-low exhaust emissions. The microturbine features an electric generator and turbine components mounted on a single shaft that are supported by air bearings -- so there are no liquids to lubricate or cool the microturbine.
Source: Capstone Turbine Corporation
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