Summary: BMW will offer a hydrogen combustion engine during the production period of the current 7 Series. The car will feature a bi-fuel drive that runs on hydrogen as well as gasoline so the car could be filled with either fuel, depending on availability.
Full Story: Last week at the LA Auto Show, Tom Purves, the President and CEO of BMW US, called hydrogen the fuel of the future for car enthusiasts. "We believe in hydrogen," said Purves during a press conference. "Hydrogen, quite simply, means clean performance."
He then announced that the hydrogen powered BMW H2R concept car, which features 285 hp and a top speed of 186.5 mph, is more than a mere exercise. Instead, hydrogen technology developed in the H2R's 12-cylinder engine, will find its way into the current 7 Series. Although the 7 Series is available with a 12-cylinder engine, Purves was unclear whether the hydrogen powered version of BMW's flagship sedan would have 8 or 12 cylinders.
He did say, however, that the car would feature bi-fuel drive, so it would run on either hydrogen or conventional gasoline, which would be necessary until the hydrogen infrastructure catches up.
What This Means to You: In the short term very little. The hydrogen-powered 7 Series will be expensive, unlike many of the smaller hybrids now on the market. But if it works, and the cars performance and drivability are up to BMW's legendary standards, it just could mean that hydrogen is indeed the fuel of the future for car enthusiasts.
Full Story: Last week at the LA Auto Show, Tom Purves, the President and CEO of BMW US, called hydrogen the fuel of the future for car enthusiasts. "We believe in hydrogen," said Purves during a press conference. "Hydrogen, quite simply, means clean performance."
He then announced that the hydrogen powered BMW H2R concept car, which features 285 hp and a top speed of 186.5 mph, is more than a mere exercise. Instead, hydrogen technology developed in the H2R's 12-cylinder engine, will find its way into the current 7 Series. Although the 7 Series is available with a 12-cylinder engine, Purves was unclear whether the hydrogen powered version of BMW's flagship sedan would have 8 or 12 cylinders.
He did say, however, that the car would feature bi-fuel drive, so it would run on either hydrogen or conventional gasoline, which would be necessary until the hydrogen infrastructure catches up.
What This Means to You: In the short term very little. The hydrogen-powered 7 Series will be expensive, unlike many of the smaller hybrids now on the market. But if it works, and the cars performance and drivability are up to BMW's legendary standards, it just could mean that hydrogen is indeed the fuel of the future for car enthusiasts.
Add A Comment »
mr_analog says:
04:22 PM, 09/07/2011
Hydrogen-powered luxury. This is my ideal car.