Thursday 14th July 2011

Meet The Only Turbine Batmobile In The World

Holy jet-based propulsion systems, Batman (etc)

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Ah, the Batmobile. Surely the perfect set of wheels for kids (of all ages) who appreciate both cars and comics.

Problem is, most Batmobiles (even movie originals like the one sold on eBay at the beginning of the year) come with painfully disappointing Detroit V8 lumps for motive power, rather than the flame-spitting jet propulsion of the Tim Burton-era movies.

But be disappointed no more, bat fans, for a gentleman by the name of Casey Putsch has put together what he is calling the world's only turbine-powered Batmobile.

Under the indescribably phallic bonnet lies a Boeing turboshaft engine that began life in a US naval drone helicopter. Now, it has been plumbed into the Batmobile rep and, being as it is rated at 385hp and has to push a reasonably modest 1270kg, should propel the Caped Crusader along at a more-than-decent lick.

And if you're wondering what the iPad is doing strapped to the car's centre console, apparently this acts as both the avionics system and the Sat-Nav. Not that Batman needs sat-nav. He always knows where he's going.

 

[Baffled Spoon]

That sounds properly cool

[dlc74]

YES!!!!!! GOD DAMN FLIPPIN SUPERB!!!!!!

Now that's what were talking about.......

[pauldm28]

dlc74 said:

YES!!!!!! GOD DAMN FLIPPIN SUPERB!!!!!!

Now that's what were talking about.......

Judging by that response. I think he likes it.

[Godzilla]

He forgot to say "Atomic batteries to power. Turbines to speed..." so FAIL.

Shame it appears to have side exhausts rather than shooting great flames out of the rear pipe.
What sort of gearbox does it use to gear down a turbine?

[bob1179]

That is really quite cool.

I bet it's a bugger to park though!

[jonno990]

Build thread here http://www.chickslovethecar.com/board/Batmobile_To...

[KIG1971]

A pity it disappears into a lock up, it would have been brilliant if it had gone into a hidden tunnel to the bat cave.

Awesome bit of kit though, it looks like there is a Shelby Daytona in his lock up as well!

[stu_the_flat]

In the video he says its the world only "turban" powered batmoblie!

[350Matt]

full marks for producing this but how quick is it?

the video just shows it pootling along

[98elise]

Godzilla said:

He forgot to say "Atomic batteries to power. Turbines to speed..." so FAIL.

Shame it appears to have side exhausts rather than shooting great flames out of the rear pipe.
What sort of gearbox does it use to gear down a turbine?

For helicopters there is normally a power turbine at the back end of the engine, not connected to the main shaft. The thrust from the turbine exhaust turns the power turbine, this decoupling acts as a clutch. A single speed gearbox is connected to the power turbine give you the rmp you need. Speed is then controlled by thrust (but there is some lag) vs engine speeed

[J4CKO]

stu_the_flat said:

In the video he says its the world only "turban" powered batmoblie!

Reminds me of being in Leeds around 1990 (after U2 at Roundhey Park) and saw an Escort Cabriolet with 4 Sikh guys in it, was done up as an RS Turbo but they had adjusted the lettering to say RS Turban which I thought was hillarious.

9/10 for the Batmobile as he didnt get into costume whcih would be essential in my book.

[KIG1971]

Sorry, it's not a Shelby Daytona. It's a Bill Thomas Cheetah? Never heard of them but they are on the guys website.

[Chris71]

Want!

Quite impressed they got that down to 1,270kg.

[M3John]

I so want one of these !

[ArosaMike]

My Hero

[glenn3]

I don't think it would pass the noise reg's at Donny!

[Animala]

How long till it's on the PH classifieds?

[RobCrezz]

Godzilla said:

He forgot to say "Atomic batteries to power. Turbines to speed..." so FAIL.

Shame it appears to have side exhausts rather than shooting great flames out of the rear pipe.
What sort of gearbox does it use to gear down a turbine?

Isnt the turbine used to thrust, rather than drive the wheels?

[mrclav]

pauldm28 said:

dlc74 said:

YES!!!!!! GOD DAMN FLIPPIN SUPERB!!!!!!

Now that's what were talking about.......

Judging by that response. I think he likes it.

[bosscerbera]

M3John said:

I so want one of these !

+1!