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The Capstone CMT-380 was a hybrid-electric supercar prototype that paired lithium-polymer batteries with a 30-kilowatt microturbine generator. Capstone presented it in 2009 as a technology demonstrator for extending an electric vehicle’s range—not as an established production car. Its announced figures included up to 80 miles of battery-only driving and up to 500 miles of total range, but those were company-published design claims, not independently verified test results.
What was the Capstone CMT-380?
Capstone Turbine Corporation announced the CMT-380 on November 30, 2009. The prototype used a Factory Five Racing GTM body and was developed from a concept by Richard Hilleman, then Electronic Arts’ chief creative director, with support from Capstone. The company described the car as a way to demonstrate how a microturbine could serve as a range extender in an electric vehicle.
Capstone later referred to Hilleman showcasing the car as “Black Bird” in a media-events entry dated January 17, 2011. That record documents a showcase, not a production run or the car’s current whereabouts.
How did its microturbine hybrid system work?
The announced powertrain combined lithium-polymer battery cells with a Capstone C30 microturbine rated at 30 kilowatts. Capstone said the turbine could run on diesel or biodiesel and generate electricity to recharge the batteries while the car was moving. The battery could also be charged at home or at a public charging station, according to the company’s 2009 announcement.
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In this arrangement, the turbine was described as an electricity generator and range extender, rather than as the car’s sole source of propulsion. Capstone’s general explanation of its microturbine technology discusses features such as air bearings, recuperation and fuel flexibility; that broad product information does not independently establish the CMT-380’s specific efficiency or on-road performance.
What performance and range did Capstone announce?
Capstone’s 2009 release gave the following design and performance figures. It did not provide an independent road test, test conditions or a measurement protocol, so the numbers should be read as company claims rather than verified results.
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| Figure | Capstone’s 2009 claim | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| 0–60 mph | 3.9 seconds | Announced design performance figure; no independent test or conditions stated. |
| Top speed | 150 mph | Announced figure; no independent test or conditions stated. |
| Battery-only range | Up to 80 miles | Company-announced estimate; no test conditions stated. |
| Total range | Up to 500 miles | Company-announced estimate; no test conditions stated. |
| Microturbine output | 30 kilowatts | C30 rating stated by Capstone for the prototype. |
Capstone executive vice president of sales and marketing Jim Crouse promoted the speed and range figures alongside an “ultra-low” emissions claim. The 2009 release also compared turbine emissions with California Air Resources Board and EPA requirements. These are Capstone’s assertions: the available vehicle material does not include measured emissions results or establish that the completed CMT-380 received a particular regulatory certification.
Was the CMT-380 ever produced or sold?
The available company announcements establish a prototype, not a confirmed production model. In 2009, Capstone said the vehicle was in conceptual design and first-article testing and that it expected to consider a limited-production plan. In the same announcement, CEO Darren Jamison said, “The Capstone CMT-380 is a fun hybrid car with tremendous performance, but it’s not in Capstone’s business plan to start manufacturing complete cars.”
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The 2011 Capstone media-events entry records Hilleman showcasing the vehicle as “Black Bird,” but does not establish that a limited-production plan proceeded. The sources do not confirm subsequent production or sales, or identify the vehicle’s present owner or location. Its current availability is therefore unresolved; it should not be described as a car buyers can order.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why the CMT-380 remains notable
The project illustrates a particular approach to electrified driving: a battery-equipped vehicle with a fuel-burning microturbine intended to generate electricity and extend range. The idea was the demonstration’s focus, not evidence of a commercially available alternative to a conventional hybrid or battery-electric car. Capstone’s general microturbine technology overview provides background on the company’s turbine design, but it is not a CMT-380 test report.
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For the CMT-380 itself, the most concrete public details remain the announced system layout and company-published specifications. There is no supported basis here for a buyer comparison with production vehicles, since independent measurements and a confirmed production version are not established.
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