For the last couple of years
BMW experiments with different types of engines running on alternative fuel. On hydrogen, to be more precise. In the year 2004, the German company presented to the public its experimental
BMW H2R vehicle built around a hydrogen-powered 6.0-liter 285hp V12 engine. Yesterday, during the
17th NHA Annual Hydrogen Conference, at the Long Beach Convention Center in California,
BMW presented its more practical yet even more daring masterpiece, the bi-fueled V12 liquid-hydrogen engine and storage tank to be installed into the limited-production
7 series model.
The company
says, that the engine can run on either gasoline or supercooled liquid hydrogen stored at a constant temperature of -253 Celsius. To keep the fuel from boil-off, the storage tank is insulated using about seventy layers of 'aluminum-coated synthetic foil' put under vacuum between two thick walls.
It is still not clear, how much power will feature the new engine and what kind of price can be set for such a rare 'hybrid' vehicle.
Photos:
Mobilemag.com,
BMWWorld.com
See also:
Cadillac to Release the Escalade Hybrid SUV
