GM hybrid may get modified missile engine. (General Motors' hybrid car)

Automotive News, January, 1997 by Child, Charles

General Motors has selected a turbine engine developed by Williams International to power its prototype hybrid car. The engine is similar to those used for military cruise missiles and will power the hybrid car by charging the battery that will run an electric motor. GM Chmn. Jack Smith says that the engine is the smallest and most fuel-efficient ever built. GM plans to launch its hybrid car between 2000 and 2005.

A turbine engine similar to those developed for military cruise missiles is the leading candidate to power General Motors' hybrid cars.

GM will build a working prototype of the hybrid car this year and tentatively plans to produce a saleable version between 2000 and 2005, said Gerald Skellenger, technical director of GM's hybrid program.

A small...

Read the rest of this article with a Free Trial at HighBeam Research.

Premium Content Partnership | HighBeam Research provides an in-depth online archive library of reference works.