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Chinese company Techrules is showing off a track version of its Ren diesel-electric hybrid supercar at this year's Geneva Motor Show.
Following the debut of the road-going version at the 2017 Swiss event, this year the Ren RS shows off a single-seat, high-performance circuit variant of the machine.
It uses the company's Turbine-Recharging Electric Vehicle system, amusingly known as the 'TREV'. This uses micro-turbine technology to deliver high power and low environmental impacts, despite the use of diesel fuel. Indeed, Techrules has entered a Memorandum of Understanding with CRRC, the world's largest supplier of rail transit equipment, to develop TREV further for use in CRRC's Autonomous rail Rapid Transit (ART) transportation scheme.
The Ren RS has a single cockpit layout and design modifications to improve aerodynamic and cooling efficiency. The lightweight carbon-fibre monocoque chassis has been strengthened and configured for track use by LM Gianetti of Turin, a renowned motorsport outfit.
Techrules' modular chassis design permits a variety of drivetrain configurations but in its most powerful guise, the TREV-equipped Ren RS has a 28.4kWh lithium-ion battery and no fewer than six motors - two at the front and four at the back - to deliver a whopping 1,305hp. That gives a range of 1,170km from 80 litres of diesel.
Performance is understandably swift. The 0-100km/h benchmark is dispensed with in three seconds flat, while the top speed is quoted as 330km/h. The Ren RS will not be road-legal and will be delivered to an 'exclusive band of customers' within two years, says Techrules.
Anything else?
William Jin, the founder and CEO of Techrules, said: "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. 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."