Cool water is introduced into a concentric tube within the tail pipe
at the rear of the car. By the time it arrives at the gas turbine it is
superheated steam. This is known as a counter flow heat exchanger.
The steam is then injected into the gas turbine to double or triple its HP.

In fact combined cycle gas turbine  engines can be as much as 60% efficient 
overall. That compares with about 30% efficient for the typical auto engine.
Since the RX8 is capable of 25 MPG at a steady 70 MPH the MPG in theory
could go to as much 50 MPG at a steady 70 MPH with little increase in 
cost or weight.

The small turbine is by passed at road load HP levels over about 90 MPH to prevent
overheating and over speeding. A computer controlled  constantly variably reduction 
ratio gear box is used to feed power back into the eccentric shaft using V belts.
V belts provide torque pulse isolation. There is an over running clutch in the 
gear box that activates at road load HP levels over about 50 HP so as not to 
impede engine  RPM acceleration. 

Road load HP levels at 70 MPH are typically around 40 HP
at 70 MPH. Consequently this turbine and gear box are designed for 30 HP maximum.
30 HP from the main engine and 30 HP from the combined cycle gas turbine.

The rear muffler just ahead of the rear bumper is redesigned as a combination
muffler and water vapor condenser to recapture the water in the exhaust.

Drivers in the US and Europe spend hours cruising on the freeway in the 70 to
90 MPH range.

Paul Lamar
 
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