- Nine records set at speeds of 300 km/h and above

- Hydrogen fuelled V12 combustion engine

- Aluminium chassis, carbon-fibre Formula 1 style body

- Production Hydrogen/Petrol engine to join 7 Series range

Hydrogen propulsion shifts from rockets to racers as BMW sets nine new speed records, marking the start of the hydrogen age for automobiles.

“BMW technology has come a long way. Now, together with politicians and the energy industry, we must turn our vision of sustained mobility into reality," says Professor Burkhard Göschel, Board Member of the BMW Group.

The records were set at the high-speed Miramas Proving Grounds in France, with BMW Group proving that hydrogen is able to replace conventional fuel without requiring the driver to make the slightest compromise in terms of dynamic performance.

These records are subject to FIA-Recognition

The single-seater H2R Record Car uses a 6.0-litre 12 cylinder power unit producing in excess of 210 kW, that races to 100 km/h in just six seconds and has a top speed of 302,4 km/h. The engine is based on the V12 unit powering BMW’s flagship limousine, the 760Li. The hydrogen combustion engine boasts the most advanced technologies such as BMW's fully variable VALVETRONIC valve train control.

BMW will be launching a dual-mode version of the current 7 Series during the production cycle of the present model, thus introducing the first car of its kind able to run on both hydrogen and petrol.

The hydrogen-only powered H2R prototype set up the following records last weekend:

Time in sec

Speed in km/h

Flying-start kilometre:

11.993

300.19

Flying-start mile:

19.912

290.962

Standing-start 1/8 mile:

9.921

72.997

Standing-start ¼ mile:

14.933

96.994

Standing-start ½ km:

17.269

104.233

Standing-start mile:

36.725

157.757

Standing-start 10 miles:

221.052

262.094

Standing-start kilometre:

26.557

135.557

Standing-start 10 km:

146.406

245.892

BMW's set these records to prove the power and performance of the hydrogen engine as well as the reliability and durability of the technology.

BMW has developed the hydrogen engine to production standard because the combustion power unit, given the sum total of all its features and characteristics, still offers the largest number of advantages and benefits all in one.

The BMW H2R was conceived, designed and developed by BMW Forschung und Technik GmbH, the legendary subsidiary of BMW AG, in just 10 months.

The name “H2R” stands for “H two Race Car”, “Hydrogen Record Car” or “Hydrogen Research Car”.

The H2R employs components carried over from a sophisticated, thoroughbred BMW sports car. It features a monocoque aluminium spaceframe chassis and suspension with an aluminium body skeleton covered with carbon fibre reinforced plastic panels. Weighing in at 1560kg complete with full tanks and a driver at the wheel, the racer is extremely light and strong. 

source: BMW