How good are turbine engines for use in cars?

Question

I think there was a car once that had a turbine engine not unlike the ones they use in airplanes. NOT directly propelling the vehicle like a jet plane through the exhaust pipe, mind you, but the turbine driving the wheels or whatever you call it. Is it an efficient means of car propulsion? What advantages, if any, would a turbine engine have over a standard piston engine?

Answer 1

Given that you could perfect a turbine engine for the automotive market,

its biggest advantage would be its power-to-weight ratio.  It puts out more HP per lb. than its piston-powered cousins.

The big disadvantage would be its efficiency.  Turbine engines are pretty efficient when running at full throttle.  But at reduced power, the things are true pigs.  That's why they work well in aircraft where the power demand is always high, but not so good in cars where maximum power capability is almost never used.

Answer 2

Yes there was one in the 60's and Chrysler made it, kept burning up brakes and transmissions because it is hard to slow a turbine down. I actually got passed by one, they loaned them to family to test drive for a period of time.

Answer 3

Turbine engines are very efficient compared to traditional piston-driven engines. They do, on the other hand, have exhaust hot enough to melt the asphalt.