Forget everything you know about conventional engines: pistons, camshafts, valves. These are archaic inventions of the 19th century. Behold the Peugot 206 ‘rocket car’, brainchild of french tuner enthusiast Pascal Dragotto.

The frenchman challenged anyone who wishe dot put his little peugeot 206 to the test. In 2005 team MAXI of France came to see with their own eyes what Pascal was talking about. At first glance, the car looked like any other tuner car. Carbon fiber parts, body kits, custom paint job. But a look inside the trunk revealed a non conventional ‘steam-jet’ engine. A tank stores 100 liters of water heated by three giant 380 volt resistors. When a valve is actuated, it releases 50 bar of pressure allowing it to reach 600 m/s.

Street runs have impressed all by reaching 343 km/h (210 mph) in 2.5 seconds by developing 15,000 hp. The down side? about half an hour of preparation for about 4 seconds of glory.