http://www.playfuls.com/news_002157_BMW_Series_7_Comes_Clean_in_April_2007.html
BMW today announced the introduction of the new BMW Hydrogen 7, the world's
first hydrogen-drive luxury performance automobile. The car -- a vehicle
that has undergone the regular Product Development Process -- will be built
in a limited series in Europe and driven in the US and other countries by
selected users in 2007. It is equipped with an internal combustion engine
capable of running either on hydrogen or on gasoline and based on the BMW 7
Series.
Hydrogen technology dramatically reduces emissions generated by personal
transport and, in particular, minimizes the emission of CO2. Running in the
hydrogen mode, the BMW Hydrogen 7 essentially emits nothing but vapor. And,
unlike fossil fuels and traditional gasoline, hydrogen is available in
virtually infinite supply. With the BMW Hydrogen 7, the BMW Group is laying
down a marker for sustainable mobility. This car will play a pioneering role
in driving forward hydrogen technologies. BMW has gained an excellent
reputation for significantly reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by
using ultra efficient, yet very dynamic gasoline engines. Together with
clean performance diesel cars and the technologically advanced hybrid
systems currently under development within the BMW EfficientDynamics
project, the BMW Group has a clear strategy for sustainable mobility with
hydrogen as the ultimate goal.
With all the comforts and amenities of a non-hydrogen BMW 7 Series, the BMW
Hydrogen 7 is powered by a 260 hp twelve-cylinder engine and accelerates
from 0-62.1 mph in 9.5 seconds. Top speed is limited electronically to 143
mph. The BMW Hydrogen 7 also features a dual-mode power unit -- controlled
at the touch of a button -- that can switch quickly and conveniently from
hydrogen to conventional premium gasoline.
The car's dual-mode drive provides an overall cruising range of more than
400 miles and enables the driver of a BMW Hydrogen 7 to enjoy virtually
unlimited mobility, even when far away from the nearest hydrogen filling
station. This technology is a viable solution until the hydrogen
infrastructure is fully developed.
BMW CleanEnergy: paving the way into the future.
The BMW Hydrogen 7 perfectly captures the essence of the BMW CleanEnergy
strategy. By using hydrogen produced from water and renewable energy, such
as wind, sun or hydropower, in an internal combustion engine, the car's
emissions in hydrogen mode are essentially nothing but vapor. And, with this
emitted water vapor, the cycle can start again and the dream of sustainable
mobility without using fossil fuel resources and without impacting the
earth's climate can become a reality. The complete change from a fossil fuel
infrastructure to a hydrogen economy will require decades, but with the
Hydrogen 7, BMW shows that bringing hydrogen technology to the road is
indeed feasible.
BMW Hydrogen 7: Industrializing hydrogen technologies.
The BMW Hydrogen 7 has successfully completed the entire Product Development
Process (PDP) obligatory for all new BMWs. In this process, all components
of the new technology were integrated into the overall vehicle according to
the same challenging criteria applied to "regular" production vehicles. The
BMW Hydrogen 7 is not a hand made concept car, but rather, a milestone in
industrializing hydrogen technologies for automotive use.
The knowledge gained in the PDP has not only made a decisive contribution to
the everyday driving qualities of the BMW Hydrogen 7, but it will also
significantly impact the development and production of future hydrogen
vehicle concepts, with the principle of dual-mode drive and the features of
other components now going through the strict test of everyday driving
practice.
Dual-mode combustion engine for enhanced flexibility.
While cruising range is a significant consideration to consumers in any car,
BMW recognizes that it is of critical importance in a hydrogen-powered
vehicle, because there is not yet a full network of hydrogen filling
stations in the United States.
For precisely this reason, the BMW Hydrogen 7 features dual-mode drive
technology and a combustion engine capable of running on both hydrogen and
gasoline. The cruising range in the hydrogen mode is more than 125 miles,
with another 300 miles in the gasoline mode. Thus, the driver of a BMW
Hydrogen 7 is able to use the vehicle without problem even when the nearest
hydrogen filling station is far away. The BMW Hydrogen 7 clearly proves that
liquid hydrogen may by all means be used as a source of energy for the
production car. By introducing the BMW Hydrogen 7, the BMW Group establishes
powerful momentum for the ongoing development of a supply infrastructure
serving above all to set up additional hydrogen filling stations providing
sustained mobility on a broad basis also in the future.
Two tanks: Smooth transitions and maximum cruise range.
To offer the longest conceivable cruising range, the BMW Hydrogen 7 comes
with both a conventional 74-litre (16.3 Imp gal) gasoline tank and an
additional fuel tank taking up approximately 8 kilos or 17.6 lb of liquid
hydrogen. Stored in a high tech tank, liquid hydrogen offers significant
advantages in energy density enhancing the cruising range of the hydrogen
car.
The driver is able to switch from hydrogen to gasoline mode manually by
pressing a button on the multifunction steering wheel. Because engine power
and torque remain exactly the same regardless of the mode of operation,
switching from one mode to another has no effect on the driving behavior and
performance of the BMW Hydrogen 7.
The control system in BMW Hydrogen 7 gives priority to the use of hydrogen.
And, should one of the two types of fuel be fully consumed, the system will
automatically switch over to the other type of fuel in the interest of
secure, ongoing supply.
Luxury class comfort for four.
The BMW Hydrogen 7 is a four-seater with the two passengers at the rear
enjoying the same high standard of comfort as in one of BMW's
"regular"luxury performance vehicles.
The BMW Hydrogen 7 comes with an unusually wide range of standard features.
In addition to the high level of equipment featured from the start in the
BMW 760i, the BMW Hydrogen 7 comes inter alia with climate comfort composite
glazing, BMW's high-end automatic air conditioning, auxiliary heating,
electric seat heating for the driver, front passenger and rear seats, lumbar
supports, electric seat adjustment with memory function on the front seats,
ISOFIX child seat fastenings, Park Distance Control, a rain sensor, exterior
and interior mirrors with automatic anti-dazzle, Soft Close Automatic for
the doors and a headlight assistant. A complete entertainment and
communication package adds to the comfort a BMW 7 Series can provide.
Progress without compromises.
BMW Hydrogen 7 emphatically proves that changing over to an alternative form
of energy doesn't mean missing out on superior driving dynamics and comfort.
The departure from fossil fuel does not in any way mean giving up the
dynamics and performance typical of a BMW. Mobility of tomorrow and driving
pleasure of today are compatible, with the drive concept of BMW Hydrogen 7
being directly transferable to future models. Driving a car of this caliber
will be just as thrilling in the future as it is today, but at the same time
cleaner than ever before.
BMW Group: "Sustainability. It can be done."
Sustainable action and corporate success belong together. With this clear
commitment, the BMW Group has integrated sustainability as part of its
corporate strategy for many years and takes responsibility for its products
throughout their entire life cycle -- from production to end-of-life
recycling. The BMW CleanEnergy strategy aims to create a sustainable future
for individual mobility independent of fossil fuels. With BMW
EfficientDynamics, the company enhances fuel economy with every new product
while still offering the customer the best in class performance.
With recycling-optimized product design and life cycle assessment, BMW is
helping to reduce the impact on the environment. The use of benchmark
technologies in its clean production program significantly reduces the
consumption of water and energy during the production process. There are
many examples of the advantages of adhering to BMW's mantra,"Sustainability.
It can be done." The benefits are enjoyed by not only the company and its
associates, but also the environment and, most importantly, the customer.
