Can hydrogen the fuel of the future? With the BMW H2R hydrogen is the fuel of today. Hydrogen has been used as rocket fuel for decades. BMW AG proved that the environment-friendly fuel is also viable for high-performance automotive engines.
The 5.40-meter-long BMW H2R prototype set a new record at the Miramas test track in southern France with a top speed of 302.4 kilometers per hour, with acceleration from 0 to 100 kph in less than six seconds. The heart of the 1560-kilogram H2R is based on the 12-cylinder engine (V12) of the 760i with six liters displacement and 210 kW/285 HP (DIN).
The engine block is produced by KS Aluminium Technologie AG in Neckarsulm, Germany, and equipped with pistons from KS Kolbenschmidt GmbH that enable the BMW H2R to drive at full power and set numerous records.
The key design differences compared with conventional V12 combustion engines are the hydrogen injection valves seated in the intake manifolds, and the selection of the combustion chamber material. In addition, the use of hydrogen as a fuel was made possible by modifying the engine control unit, as well as by fuel mixture generation components.
The body shell of the record-setting car is made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, thus marrying high rigidity to light weight. The vacuum-insulated, double-walled tank holds 11 kilograms of liquid hydrogen, equivalent to the energy of about 35 liters of gasoline.
The hydrogen-powered vehicle was designed and developed in just ten months by the R&D subsidiary, BMW Forschung und Technik GmbH. The futuristic name H2R stands for “H2 race car” or “hydrogen research car.”
The hydrogen-powered H2R brings BMW AG closer to its hydrogen philosophy and has proven that hydrogen can replace conventional fuels without depriving drivers of the dynamic performance features of today’s gasoline-powered vehicles.
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