Auto aficionado Jay Leno may be adding the weirdest car yet to his massive collection of historic and wacky automobiles. The late-night talk show host collaborated with General Motors’ Advanced Design Studio to design and build a 650hp supercar powered by a jet-turbine that runs on bio-diesel fuel.
Labeled the EcoJet, the new supercar was unveiled in front of audiences at the SEMA Auto Show by Leno and Ed Welburn, the vice president of GM Global Design. The idea came about from talks between Leno and Bernard Juchli, the comedian’s chief mechanic, which soon become a concept sketched out on a couple of napkins.
Soon, GM’s Welburn was called upon and more professional sketches were completed. Design elements came from jet aircraft and Formula One racecars, and there’s even a hint of Cadillac in it. Riding on the chassis of a Corvette Z06 modified with aluminum and magnesium structural components, the EcoJet is powered by a 650hp Honeywell LT-101 turbine engine that runs on bio-diesel fuel and produces 400lb.-ft. of torque. The body is composed of carbon-fiber and Kevlar and can comfortably seat two.
