2004 BMW H2R Information and History

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J, Sept. 20 // -- BMW's Clean Energy program produced a formidable winner this weekend. The BMW H2R set nine international speed records for internal combustion powered vehicles using hydrogen as a fuel at the Miramas high-speed Proving Grounds in France. BMW has thus proven its conviction that hydrogen is able to replace conventional fuel without any compromises in terms of performance and emissions.

"Nine records marking the start into the hydrogen age. BMW technology has already come a long way. Now, together with politicians and the energy industry, we must turn our vision of sustained mobility into reality," stated Professor Burk hard Goschel, Board Member of the BMW Group, during the speed re cord trials in Miramas.

BMW remains committed to launching a dual-fuel version of the cur rent 7 Series during the production cycle of the present model, which will be the world's first premium sedan built for dual-fuel operation, thus introducing the first car of its kind able to run on both hydrogen and gasoline.

The H2R Record Car, using a version of BMW's proven 12-cylinder 6-liter power plant, currently available in the 760i and 760Li Sedans, develops 232- horsepower using liquid hydrogen fuel. This translates into a 0 - 60 mph acceleration in under 6 seconds and a top speed of 174 mph.

The main modifications to the 760i engine involve adapting the fuel injection system to the special features and requirements of hydrogen fuel. Intake valves were enlarged, valve seat rings were modified, special hydrogen- specific injection valves were used and relocated to the intake manifold instead of the combustion chamber. Finally several engine management changes were made to tune the engine to hydrogen's unique combustion characteristics.

The BMW H2R Record Car was conceived and developed by BMW Forschung und Technik GmbH, a subsidiary of BMW AG. The expressive, purposeful exterior design was created by DesignworksUSA, the California-based strategic design consultancy owned by BMW Group. "We had just 10 months to develop the H2R prototype", stated JÃ¼rgen KÃ¼bler, the H2R Project Manager. But the creative engineers at BMW Forschung und Technik are used to impossible deadlines.

The following records were set in Miramar: Time in sec. Speed in km/h Flying-start kilometer 11.993 300.190 Flying-start mile 19.912 290.962 Standing-start 1/8 mile 9.921 72.997 Standing-start 1/4 mile 14.933 96.994 Standing-start 1/2 kilometer 17.269 104.233 Standing-start mile 36.725 157.757 Standing-start 10-miles 221.052 262.094 Standing-start kilometer 26.557 135.557 Standing-start 10-kilometers 146.406 245.892

For the complete story on the H2R Record Car please visit the BMW PressClub at http://www.press.bmwgroup.com/. Images and video footage of the record runs are available.

BMW Group In America

BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. ROLLS-ROYCE Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand, the MINI brand, and the ROLLS-ROYCE brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, an industrial design firm in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group's global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all Z4 Roadster and X5 Sports Activity Vehicles. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 340 BMW passenger car centers, 327 BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 148 BMW motorcycle retailers, 76 MINI passenger car dealers, and 25 ROLLS-ROYCE Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group's sales headquarters for North, Central and South America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

Source - PRNewswire

BMW H2R Concept Car

Sleek and aerodynamic, the BMW H2R ('Hydrogen Record Car') is one of the first of a new breed of racecars specially adapted to run on liquid hydrogen fuel. Conceived and developed in just 10 months, it has already set nine international speed records at the Miramas Proving Grounds in France.

The H2R's mighty 6.0-liter V-12 engine, which draws on BMW's advanced Valvetronic and Double-VANOS technology, is based on the 760i's gasoline-fueled powerplant. This H2-powered high performer generates 232 horsepower, helping it to achieve a top speed of over 187 mph.

Just as technology gleaned at the track often ends up in regular production BMW models, the lessons BMW has learned in building the H2R will surely find their way in the hydrogen cars of the near future.

Source - BMW

Engines: Power to Burn

Instead of gasoline, gaseous hydrogen and liquid hydrogen can be used to fuel vehicles. The major differences in the hydrogen-powered engine's structural components are the hydrogen injection valve and the materials used for the combustion chambers. Instead of injecting fuel directly into the combustion chambers, the injection valves are integrated into the intake manifolds. And since hydrogen combusts faster and at a lower temperature than gasoline, the hydrogen/air mixture is ignited only when the piston reaches top dead center in the cylinder, providing maximum power output. BMW hydrogen cars use a combustion engine that can run on liquid hydrogen or gasoline to propel the vehicle.

Source - BMW

BMW Production Cars - Coming Soon: The H7

Building on the successes of the H2R and 745h, BMW will soon introduce the world's very first hydrogen-powered production vehicle: the H7. Based on the top-of-the-line 760Li, the H7 will offer world-class luxury and performance along with the clean-air benefits of hydrogen technology. The H7 will only be available in select markets.

Since hydrogen refueling stations will not be widely available when the H7 makes its debut, it will feature a combustion engine that can run on liquid hydrogen or gasoline. BMW's sophisticated Double-VANOS and Valvetronic engine technologies will allow the engine to adjust to burning hydrogen/air or gasoline/air fuel mixtures. These sophisticated systems also help avoid undesirable nitric oxide (NOx) emissions in the combustion process.

Performance, Elegance, luxury, with minimal impact on the environment: the H7 paves the way for the future of BMW - and the mobile world.

Source - BMW

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