BMW H2R Sets Nine Hydrogen World Speed Records
WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J, Sept. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040920/NYM197 )
"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 J|rgen K|bler, 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.
Information about BMW Group products is available to consumers via the
Internet at:
http://www.bmwusa.com
http://www.bmwmotorradusa.com
http://www.miniusa.com
http://www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com
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