Hybrid Electric Supercar With Microturbine Technology Debuts At LA Auto Show

December 1, 2009 (FinancialWire) Capstone Turbine Corp. (NASDAQ: CPST) is pushing traditional hybrid electric vehicle barriers with the introduction of the CMT-380, a high performance hybrid electric supercar powered by traditional batteries and an untraditional ultra low emission range extending microturbine, which is essentially like having an ultra-clean and quiet jet engine under the hood.

The so-called supercar, which is in the design and test phase, was developed in partnership with Electronic Arts Chief Creative director Richard Hilleman.

The prototype hybrid electric supercar with microturbine technology will debut at the LA Auto Show Dec. 2-13.

The sleek-looking, low to the ground, high-performance supercar definitely raises hybrids cool factor on several levels, stated Jim Crouse, Capstones executive vice president of Sales and Marketing. The CMT-380s design performance numbers speak for themselves: 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds, 150 mph top speed, and an unheard-of driving range of up to 500 miles on a single tank of fuel, all with ultra-low exhaust emissions that rival any hybrid on the market TODAY, added Crouse.

The concept for the high performance hybrid electric microturbine vehicle was developed by Electronic Arts Chief Creative director Richard Hilleman, creator of popular video games, with support from Capstone Turbine, the worlds leading clean technology manufacturer of microturbine energy systems.

Capstone and Hillemans microturbine enabled hybrid supercar features a Capstone C30 (30-kilowatt) microturbine that runs on diesel or biodiesel, which is housed inside a sleek Factory Five Racing GTM body. The Capstone C30 microturbine is so clean it does not require any exhaust after treatment to meet stringent clean air requirements of the California Air Resources Board or EPA 2010.

The CMT-380 features lithium-polymer battery cells that can be charged at home or at a public recharging station. While driving, the sports car can operate on 100 percent battery power in zero emissions mode for a range of up to 80 miles. When the batteries reach a predetermined state of discharge, the Capstone C30 microturbine quietly fires up and recharges the batteries on the fly to extend the driving range up to 500 miles. The diesel fueled C30 microturbine requires less maintenance than traditional combustion engines and produces ultra-low exhaust emissions.

Capstones CMT-380 is just now finishing up the conceptual design and first article testing stage, said Darren Jamison, Capstone president and CEO. We plan to finalize very soon a limited production plan, in part, based on interest received at the LA Auto Show. We anticipate customers will be a select group of individuals who appreciate its many innovative high-performance and high-technology driving characteristics, long driving range and ultra-low emissions, added Jamison.

Capstone Turbine is a leading producer of microturbines. Capstones 30-kilowatt microturbines have been installed in hybrid electric buses, trolleys and transit shuttles around the world, including hybrid buses operating in the U.S. and internationally.

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