Mitsubishi presented the first turbine-engined electric vehicle

When present as one of the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show participants, Mitsubishi used the opportunity by making the first debut of a unique small-sized SUV concept car owned and given the name of Mitsubishi MI-Tech Concept.

Why is it called unique? Due to the MI-Tech concept car is touted as the first electric car to use a turbine engine. In fact, this car is arguably the first and only turbine-engined car ever implemented in the real world. Really?

Mitsubishi MI-Tech Concept on display at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Jk6uXS)

Mitsubishi presents the MI-Tech concept as a new breakthrough from the PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) cars. If all this time the PHEV used a combination of petrol engines and electric motors, and now in the MI-Tech concept has been replaced by turbine engines and electric motors.

Where this turbine engine has functions the same as a petrol engine in the PHEV as we know in the first place, namely as an electric energy generator to supply the battery's needs.

Mitsubishi MI-Tech Concept equipped with a turbine engine and 4 electric motors. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Jk6uXS)

The MI-Tech concept car has 4 electric motors to drive it and spin independently. This is intended not only to prevent the tires slip symptoms on the off-road roads, but it's also allowed to control the four electric motors separately. So that makes the MI-Tech concept can maneuver to the side like a panzer or tank.

Mitsubishi still has no plans for the mass production of MI-Tech. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Jk6uXS)

Furthermore, Hiroshi Nagaoka, Executive Officer, Senior Vice President (Engineering) of Mitsubishi Motors revealed, that the car's turbine engine can be set to consume various types of fuel, ranging from diesel fuel, kerosene up to alcohol. This fuel consumption flexibility allows the MI-Tech concept can be suited in many places that have different fuel qualities.

Even though it still consumes fossil fuels, but the car emissions are claimed to be lower than conventional combustion engines with NOx (nitrogen oxide) levels practically non-existent. Mitsubishi chose this turbine engine because of its compact dimensions and lighter weight compared to conventional petrol engines.

But this turbine engine can't be likened with an aircraft turbine engine because it has a smaller size and capability. Until now Mitsubishi still has not planned mass production of MI-Tech, but the company said it was still trying to develop it in that direction. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ] 

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