Gas Turbine Engine To Be Used In Cars

Press, Volume C, Issue 29712, 4 January 1962, Page 9

Gas Turbine Engine To Be Used In Cars

(N2..P.A .-Reuter—Copyright)

NEW YORK, January 2.

Gas-turbine engines, harnessing the smooth, extra power of the jet airliner for the passenger car, are threatening a revolution in Detroit.

The Chrysler Corporation, one of the American automobile industry’s big three, announced this week that it will "very likely” market up to 75 turbine-powered cars in 1963. It believed mass production at competitive prices could be achieved in five years and that future prospects were limitless. “Compare the smooth rush in a jet airliner take-off to the laboured clawing into the sky of its piston-powered cousin," Chrysler’s research director, Mr G. Huebner, said. “The gas turbine-powered car gives you the same sensation.” He said the gas turbine had only about a fifth as many parts as the piston engine and the parts rotated smoothly on simple sleeve bearings, practically eliminating vibration The turbine was long lived, requiring little maintenance, was self-cooled and started quickly in any weather, needed no oil changes and could run on just about any fuel that burned in air. The turbine did not expel carbon monoxide or other impurities that caused smog, sc

it could be the answer to a nagging problem which was requiring increasing attention in Detroit. One factor it was feared might inhibit public response was noise. The experimental car surprised observers with its very noticeable whooshing roar, rather like a toneddown jet fighter plane. Mr Huebner said the turbine was a “little” noisier than the piston engine while idling and below 26 miles an hour, but quieter than the piston above 30 m.ph. The company felt that the noise problem could be effectively eliminated with a car suitably prepared to receive the gas turbine engine. The engine was lighter, 450 pounds compared with 700 pounds, and smoother than conventional piston engines with comparable performances and fuel consumption (20 miles to the gallon). Whereas the jet produced thrust by expulsion of gas. the turbine directed a jet of burning, expanding gases against the blades of a turbine wheel, which delivered power to the wheels of the car.