Turbine-Powered EcoJet Concept Began With Meeting, Sketches On A Napkin
Jay Leno, GM Advanced Design Studio Collaborated on 650-Horsepower Supercar That Runs on Bio-Diesel

What would keep a group of automotive designers up all night? "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno, for starters, but not by his monologue or parade of Hollywood guests. This time it's because the late-night talk show host invited the General Motors Advanced Design Studio to help design a mid-engine, turbine-powered supercar called EcoJet. Leno and Ed Welburn, GM vice president of Global Design, introduced the car today at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show.

EcoJet's genesis goes back to a discussion between Leno, an avid car enthusiast and collector, and Bernard Juchli, the chief mechanic and caretaker of Leno's collection. Leno then turned to Welburn for design direction.

"A couple of paper napkins later, Ed had begun to capture the essence of the car," said Leno. "I've admired the work of GM's Design Studio in North Hollywood, Calif., and asked Ed if the studio's director, Frank Saucedo, and his guys could continue the design study,"

Welburn agreed, and a two-week sketching frenzy commenced as GM's designers began working after-hours with Leno's team on the project.

"EcoJet's esthetics were driven by aeronautical and jet-age influences," said Welburn. "It's a purpose-driven design that conveys power, capability and even danger, with a hint of Cadillac's sophisticated design vocabulary."

Borrowing design cues from jet aircraft and Formula One racecars, the supercar began to take shape under the watchful eyes of Leno and Welburn. A concurrent engineering program defined the vehicle's proportions and mechanics.

Leno relied on Juchli and the entire Big Dog team at his garage to turn the EcoJet vision into a reality.

"We thought we pushed the creative envelope with the '66 twin turbo Toronado project with GM, but this turbine-powered monster is a whole new level of complexity," said Juchli, who constructed the car at Leno's facility.

The 650-horsepower (400 lb.-ft. of torque) Leno original is powered by a Honeywell LT-101 turbine engine that runs on bio-diesel fuel. The engine sits in a modified Corvette Z06 hydroformed aluminum frame with aluminum and magnesium structural and chassis components. The vehicle's shell is an advanced construction of carbon fiber over Kevlar.

EcoJet project partners

GM Advanced Design Studio, North Hollywood, Calif. - conceptual and build design, engineering, digital design and fabrication support
Alcoa - chassis and wheel engineering
Metalcrafters - body engineering and construction
Honeywell - engine supplier
Intermountain Turbine - engine builders
Dana - chassis supplier
BASF - paint and finishing supplies
GE Plastics - Lexan windows
Viper Technologies - wheel construction


Ecojet Specificaations
Vehicle description:
mid-engine, turbine-powered, two-seat supercar

Wheelbase (in / mm):
110 / 2795

Engine:
Honeywell LT-101

Horsepower @ % turbine speed):
650 @ 70

Torque (lb-ft @ % turbine speed):
400 @ 70

Fuel type:
bio-diesel

Wheels:
20 x 10-in front
22 x 12-in rear

Tires:
255/35R20 front
305/30R22 rear

Track (in / mm):
66.9 / 1698 front
66.6 / 1692 rear

Overall length (in / mm):
184 / 4674

Overall width ( in / mm):
79.4 / 2024

Overall height (in / mm):
46.5 / 1180



FOR RELEASE: 2006-10-31



>>>For Sale? Clicky!<<<
-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----

that car looks sick


<img src="http://registry.gmenthusiast.com/images/jiggaman/personal_pic.jpg">

Just notice that Dave posted a pic.
Well here is the info.

Bigger pic too.




>>>For Sale? Clicky!<<<
-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----

SCHWINNGGG!


"Are you sure your A/F ratio is correct? That hole in your Block custom?"

Horsepower @ % turbine speed):
650 @ 70

Torque (lb-ft @ % turbine speed):
400 @ 70

is that right?


"boobs now with Riboflabin"

So can I put this engine in my cavy? lol

^With the right amount of $, anything is possible.

Jcavi wrote:Horsepower @ % turbine speed):
650 @ 70

Torque (lb-ft @ % turbine speed):
400 @ 70

is that right?

Seriously I don't know as turbine engine knowledge is not my strong point. lol



>>>For Sale? Clicky!<<<
-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----

I'm guessing a turbine spinning at 70rpm would put out a lot more power than most engines out there. But that's just my guess/

^^^ Taken from the SEMA pics.


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* Student of the University of Oklahoma. Go Sooners!
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Also..



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*
* Student of the University of Oklahoma. Go Sooners!
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That's at PERCENT of top turbine speed....aka 70% of max RPM of the turbine. In other words....with a lot of throttle left



I used to race cars, now I race myself.
5K PB: 24:50
10K PB: 54:26

ohhhh


"boobs now with Riboflabin"

I want one!

stupid @!#$ @!#$

kinda shares a resemblance

wow pretty neat looking car

can we swap that eco into the cav's or what?

I was wondering when someone who take another stab at making a jet car. The late 1960's Chrysler jet car prototype was I think the last attempt at it. I personally think that if the rules with the size of the engine intake openings hadnt been changed after the 1967 Indy 500, further development of the turbine powered "Indy" cars would eventually would have lead to a legitimate turbine powered street car.


"...nevermind maneuvers lieutenant, just go straight at them!"
-Admiral Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar