BMW H(2)R Record Car to make Canadian debut at the Canadian International Auto Show
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Video - BMW H2R at Speed
WHITBY, ON, January 17, 2005; BMW Group Canada will debut the H(2)R Record Car at the Canadian International Auto Show in mid-February. The H(2)R Car is an expression of BMW's commitment to dynamic performance through the use of a liquid hydrogen powered combustion engine.
BMW H(2)R sets nine speed records
The nine speed records set by the BMW H(2)R Car have been confirmed by the International Automobile Association FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile). "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 Burkhard Goschel, Board Member of the BMW Group, during the speed record trials in Miramas, France. Achieving this amazing success at the high-speed Miramas Proving Grounds, the BMW Group has clearly proven its conviction that hydrogen is able to replace conventional fuel without requiring the driver to compromise dynamic performance.
The specifications of the H(2)R Record Car are a testament to this possibility. The 6-litre V12 engine develops an output of 285 horsepower. This engine propels the BMW prototype to 100 km/h (62 mph) in approximately 6 seconds and gives it a top speed of more than 300 km/h. Based on the gasoline engine featured in the BMW 760i, BMW's hydrogen combustion engine boasts advanced technologies such as BMW's fully variable VALVETRONIC valve drive.
The main modifications to the engine involve the fuel injection system adapted by BMW to the special attributes and requirements of hydrogen. The H(2)R Record Car benefits from the results gained in series development of BMW's future hydrogen engine for the world's first premium sedan built for dual-mode operation.
BMW will launch 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 gasoline.
The H(2)R prototype set the following records shown here in terms of times measured and speed achieved:
time in sec speed in km/h - 1 kilometre with flying start: 11.993 300.175 - 1 mile with flying start: 19.9985 289.704 - 1/8 mile with standing start: 9.937 72.880 - 1/4 mile with standing start: 14.967 96.774 - 1/2 kilometre with standing start: 17.342 103.794 - 1 mile with standing start: 36.850 157.222 - 10 miles with standing start: 221.773 261.242 - 1 kilometre with standing start: 26.749 134.584 - 10 kilometres with standing start: 146.409 245.887
These results have been certified by the FIA. BMW Works drivers Alfred Hilger, Jorg Weidinger and Gunther Weber took turns at the wheel of the Record Car during their record-breaking session. The BMW H(2)R Record Car was conceived, designed and developed by BMW Forschung und Technik GmbH, the legendary subsidiary of BMW AG. The expressive, purposeful exterior design was created by DesignworksUSA, the California-based strategic design consultancy owned by BMW Group. The name "H(2)R" stands for "Hydrogen Record Car".
BMW's motive in setting these records was not only to prove the power and performance of the hydrogen engine. In addition, the reliability and durability of the technology used clearly demonstrates BMW's leadership in developing the hydrogen engine to production standards. In this process BMW is concentrating on the combustion engine, simply 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.
BMW Group Canada, based in Whitby, Ontario, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BMW AG and is responsible for the distribution of BMW luxury performance automobiles, Sports Activity Vehicles, Motorcycles, and MINI. BMW Group Financial Services Canada is a division of BMW Group Canada and offers retail financing and leasing programs on new and pre-owned BMW and MINI automobiles, as well as retail financing for new and pre-owned BMW Motorcycles. A total network of 36 BMW automobile retail centres, 18 BMW motorcycle retailers, and 20 MINI retailers represents the BMW Group across the country.
