MUNICH — BMW has announced it will begin trials of a new 6.0-liter V-12 gasoline/hydrogen-powered version of the 7-series next year. This is a continuation of the automaker's CleanEnergy program that aims at widespread sales of hydrogen-powered BMW models by the start of the next decade.
The new car, dubbed Hydrogen 7 and set for public debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show in late November, will be available to selected customers in North America, Europe, and Japan on a rental basis.
The Hydrogen 7 will get a price comparable to that of today's 760iL, on which is it based, according to officials from the German carmaker.
Initial volumes will be limited to about 100 cars, although BMW executives are not counting out the possibility of more if demand should outstrip supply. Previous trials of hydrogen powered BMW models have all been carried out in-house.
The Hydrogen 7 is powered by a reworked version of BMW's 6.0-liter V-12 engine producing 260 hp and 288 pound-feet of torque. That's enough to provide 0-to-62-mph acceleration in 9.5 seconds and a 143-mph top speed on both hydrogen and gasoline. The cruising range is put at 125 miles in hydrogen mode, with a further 300 miles in gasoline guise. In hydrogen mode, the reworked 7-series is emission free, producing nothing more than water vapor from its tailpipe. The hydrogen is stored in a 2.1-gallon tank with a double wall structure consisting of stainless steel plates and a vacuum layer to address safety fears.
The Hydrogen 7 will be produced alongside other BMW 5-, 6-, and 7-series models at the company's Dingolfing plant in Munich.
What this means to you: Here's a hybrid with a twist. BMW has long extolled the virtues of hydrogen, and this trial is a significant step in realizing the automaker's aim of putting hydrogen-powered cars on our roads.
The new car, dubbed Hydrogen 7 and set for public debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show in late November, will be available to selected customers in North America, Europe, and Japan on a rental basis.
The Hydrogen 7 will get a price comparable to that of today's 760iL, on which is it based, according to officials from the German carmaker.
Initial volumes will be limited to about 100 cars, although BMW executives are not counting out the possibility of more if demand should outstrip supply. Previous trials of hydrogen powered BMW models have all been carried out in-house.
The Hydrogen 7 is powered by a reworked version of BMW's 6.0-liter V-12 engine producing 260 hp and 288 pound-feet of torque. That's enough to provide 0-to-62-mph acceleration in 9.5 seconds and a 143-mph top speed on both hydrogen and gasoline. The cruising range is put at 125 miles in hydrogen mode, with a further 300 miles in gasoline guise. In hydrogen mode, the reworked 7-series is emission free, producing nothing more than water vapor from its tailpipe. The hydrogen is stored in a 2.1-gallon tank with a double wall structure consisting of stainless steel plates and a vacuum layer to address safety fears.
The Hydrogen 7 will be produced alongside other BMW 5-, 6-, and 7-series models at the company's Dingolfing plant in Munich.
What this means to you: Here's a hybrid with a twist. BMW has long extolled the virtues of hydrogen, and this trial is a significant step in realizing the automaker's aim of putting hydrogen-powered cars on our roads.
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