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Aston Martin Rapide S Hybrid Hydrogen Racecar
Next month, at the 41st ADAC Zurich 24 Hours of Nürburgring endurance race Aston Martin hopes to make history by racing the world's first ever race car to run on pure hydrogen. The british sportscar maker has developed a hybrid hydrogen power plant that will power the upcoming Rapide S sports sedan.
The Aston Martin Rapide S is not only set to become the first hydrogen fueled race car, but also looks to become the first zero emission car to complete a race lap at the Nürburgring 24-hour race.
The special engine is a prototype that will have its first real life test at the Nürburgring 24-hour race. The twin turbocharged 6.0 liter V12 engine, developed by Aston Martin in conjunction with experts from Alset Global, has the unique capability being able to burn conventional fuel (petrol), pure hydrogen gas, and a mixture of both. The team aims to prove to the world that a complete lap of the racetrack is possible in "Hydrogen Mode" alone.
Welcoming the debut of the Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S, Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer Dr Ulrich Bez said: "As we celebrate our centenary in 2013 and look back on a century of excitement, innovation and style it's also the perfect time to look to the future with this astonishing race car.
"Aston Martin has a strong track record of innovation and, with our superb history of competition and testing at the Nürburgring, it is only right that we showcase this amazing new technology at this year's 24-hour race."
He added: "Working with Alset Global to unveil this system in such a challenging environment as the 24 Hours of Nürburgring shows once again how confident we are in our cars, our people and our partners."
The powertrain features a proprietary engine management system, which delivers the required fuel or fuel mixture depending on the driving requirements. Aston Martin says, the hybrid hydrogen engine gives the powerful race car the carbon footprint of a supermini.
Since hydrogen, a highly combustible fuel, is being used it will be held inside ultra high strength tanks built from carbon fiber. Four such tanks - two next to the driver and two in the boot - will hold a total of 3.5 kg of hydrogen fuel at a pressure of 350 bar.
The 2013 ADAC Zurich Nürburgring 24 Hours will take place on May 19 and 20.
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