BMW H2R Hydrogen Car

Unlike the petrol engine where fuel is injected directly into the combustion chambers, the injection valves on the hybrid car are integrated into the inlet manifolds. The different combustion characteristics of a hydrogen-powered car demanded this, along with special valves. An air-cooling process for each cylinder, designed to prevent the next injection of hydrogen/air mix from igniting too soon in the combustion process (because of the higher temperature generated by burning hydrogen) was also devised. To aid this complex breathing process, BMW's Bi-Vanos and Valvetronic units ensured the optimum timing process of the engine for the greatest efficiency. The engine technology in the H2R Record Car enables delivery of 232bhp and a 0-62mph time of six seconds with a top speed of 187.62mph.

"We had just 10 months to develop the H2R prototype," said Jurgen Kubler, H2R Project Manager. "But the great results have now proved the level of performance possible from a hydrogen-powered car and the launch of the world's first dual fuel version of the current generation 7 Series will follow in due course."