Techrules throws gauntlet to established carmakers

A business plan Tesla founder Elon Musk wrote 11 years ago goes like this: create a low volume car, which would necessarily be expensive; use that money to develop a medium volume car at a lower price; use that money to create an affordable, high volume car; and provide solar power.

A Chinese car startup, called Techrules, is following the same steps, or the first three, to be specific, with a super racing car powered by a micro-turbine system as its first model, as it makes its foray into the competitive car market.

The turbine, which is more often found in helicopters, charges a battery pack and the pack powers electric motors that drive wheels, said Jin Xinzhong, president of the company founded in 2011.