The Pros and Cons of Using Turbines in Cars

In the quest for more efficient and powerful engines, some automotive pioneers have turned to turbine technology. While the idea of using turbines in cars may seem intriguing, there are several practical and technical challenges that make it less common in everyday vehicles. Let's explore why turbines have not become a standard in automotive engines and the reasons behind their limited use.

Turbine vs. Internal Combustion Engines

One of the primary reasons why turbines have not been widely adopted in cars is their similarity to engine technology. Turbines are essentially large versions of jet engine turbines, converting the energy from a combustion process into rotational energy. This means that the wheels of a car powered by a turbine rotate at a much slower rate than the turbine itself, which rotates at very high speeds.

The high-speed operation of turbine engines makes them highly efficient when running, but their efficiency is not great when considering the power they produce. The need for a gearbox that can smoothly translate the turbine's speed to the car's wheels adds complexity and inefficiency to the system.

Historical Attempts and Failures

Car manufacturers like Chrysler and Rover have experimented with turbine engines in the past. In 1963, Chrysler produced 55 turbine-powered cars for a test program, and Rover also attempted to develop a turbine car in the 1950s and 1960s. Despite their innovative designs, both companies found that turbine cars had numerous issues, making them impractical for everyday use.

Chrysler’s Turbine Car: In the 1950s, Chrysler produced a series of experimental cars powered by gas turbine engines. These cars were impressive in their design, and Chrysler even produced 55 for a national test program. However, issues such as poor fuel economy, high maintenance costs, and inadequate performance in traffic led to their demise.

Rover’s Turbine Car: Rover also ventured into turbine technology, but their attempts were no more successful. The engines were expensive to manufacture and maintain, and the noise levels were too high for practical use in everyday cars.

Modern Day Turbine Cars

Despite the challenges, there have been some notable examples of gas turbine cars. These include:

Austin 250hp gas turbine Chrysler Patriot Chrysler Turbine Car Fiat Turbina General Motors Firebird Howmet TX Jaguar C-X75 Lotus 56 Rover JET1 Rover T3 Rover-BRM STP-Paxton Turbocar Toyota Century GT45 Toyota GTV Volvo ECC1

These cars have shown that gas turbines can produce impressive power and efficiency, but they often come with significant drawbacks. For instance, gas turbines are not efficient at small scales, and their high RPMs make them unsuitable for ground vehicles. Additionally, the slower throttle response and noise level can make them impractical for everyday use.

Efficiency and Reliability

While gas turbines are highly reliable once they are running, they are not the most efficient choice for automobiles. Turbines are expensive to manufacture and maintain, and the high operating speeds present challenges in designing practical transmissions. However, the efficiency of gas turbines cannot be ignored. They have a high power-to-weight ratio and can run on any flammable liquid, which is a significant advantage over traditional engines.

Conclusion: Despite the compelling reasons for using gas turbines in cars, the practical and technical challenges make them less suitable for mass production. While there is potential for future advancements, current technology suggests that internal combustion engines will remain the primary choice for most automotive manufacturers.

Keywords: turbine engines, gas turbines, car engines