Technologue

Turbine cars seemed inevitable in 1963, when 50 Chrysler Turbine demonstrators hit the streets. Low parts count, reduced maintenance, and absolute smoothness were the selling points, but by 1979 efficiency and emissions woes scuppered the automotive turbine.

Now, micro-turbine range extenders like those in Jaguar’s C-X75 and Mitsubishi’s MI-Tech concepts are beginning to hit the road. What’s more, there’s a new patent-pending rotary-engine concept that promises to combine