Thanks to its CleanEnergy strategy, which aims to create a sustainable future for individual mobility independent of fossil fuels, BMW has gained a solid reputation for significantly reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by using ultra efficient, yet very dynamic gasoline and diesel engines. Meanwhile, its technologically advanced hybrid system is being rapidly developed.
But the German automaker is not one to rest on its laurels. Case and point: Tuesday's introduction of the new Hydrogen 7, the world's first hydrogen-drive luxury performance automobile for everyday use. Created from the same development process as all regular production BMWs, this car will be built in a limited series and deployed to selected users in the U.S. and other countries beginning in 2007.
The company is quick to point out that "the Hydrogen 7 is not a hand made concept car, but rather a milestone in industrializing hydrogen technologies for automotive use". It is also worth mentioning that the Hydrogen 7 offers all the amenities of the standard 7 Series.
Obviously, the environmental side is where things get really interesting. As you probably know, a hydrogen-powered vehicle dramatically reduces pollution by emitting only water vapor. Moreover, unlike fossil fuels, hydrogen is a renewable source of energy, hence BMW's concept of a "sustainable mobility".
The core of the Hydrogen 7's drivetrain is a dual-mode V12 combustion engine - controlled at the touch of a steering wheel-mounted button - capable of running on both hydrogen and gasoline. The conventional
gasoline tank holds a capacity of 74 litres, while the additional fuel tank can take up approximately 8 kilos (17.6 pounds) of liquid hydrogen. Should one of the two types of fuel be fully consumed, the system will automatically switch over to the other in the interest of secure, ongoing supply.
Engine power, tuned to 260 hp, remains exactly the same regardless of the mode of operation, so the performance is never compromised. Reportedly, driving dynamics and comfort are also unaffected. According to BMW, the car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds.
The cruising range in the hydrogen mode is more than 125 miles, with another 300 miles in the gasoline mode. Good news considering a large-scale hydrogen infrastructure will require decades to be implemented.
But with highly advanced, yet practical vehicles such as the BMW Hydrogen 7, that dream world might be closer than we think.
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| (photo: BMW Group) |
The company is quick to point out that "the Hydrogen 7 is not a hand made concept car, but rather a milestone in industrializing hydrogen technologies for automotive use". It is also worth mentioning that the Hydrogen 7 offers all the amenities of the standard 7 Series.
Obviously, the environmental side is where things get really interesting. As you probably know, a hydrogen-powered vehicle dramatically reduces pollution by emitting only water vapor. Moreover, unlike fossil fuels, hydrogen is a renewable source of energy, hence BMW's concept of a "sustainable mobility".
The core of the Hydrogen 7's drivetrain is a dual-mode V12 combustion engine - controlled at the touch of a steering wheel-mounted button - capable of running on both hydrogen and gasoline. The conventional
 |
| (photo: BMW Group) |
Engine power, tuned to 260 hp, remains exactly the same regardless of the mode of operation, so the performance is never compromised. Reportedly, driving dynamics and comfort are also unaffected. According to BMW, the car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds.
The cruising range in the hydrogen mode is more than 125 miles, with another 300 miles in the gasoline mode. Good news considering a large-scale hydrogen infrastructure will require decades to be implemented.
But with highly advanced, yet practical vehicles such as the BMW Hydrogen 7, that dream world might be closer than we think.