A prototype Hybrid Hydrogen Aston Martin Rapide S will become the first hydrogen-powered car to compete in an international event when it takes to the track in next month’s Nurburgring 24 hour race.
The Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S will also be “first zero CO2 emission sports car to complete a race pace lap” at the legendary German circuit.
Working in partnership with hydrogen experts Alset Global, Aston Martin’s engineers have developed a prototype twin turbocharged 6.0-liter V12 engine that will power the Nurburgring car.
Capable of running on pure gasoline, pure gaseous hydrogen, or a blend of both, the Hybrid Hydrogen race car showcases Aston Martin’s commitment to engineering innovation.
In pure hydrogen mode, Aston Martin and Alset Global aim to show that a zero emissions lap of the Nordschleife is possible while emitting virtually only water from the exhaust.
Showcasing the technology at the Nurburgring – acknowledged as one of the toughest and most demanding circuits in the world and, of course, nicknamed ‘the Green Hell’ – Aston Martin will underline the reliability and safety of today’s hydrogen technology.
The Hybrid Hydrogen system comprises a hydrogen fuel rail, storage tanks and proprietary engine management system. This enables flexibility in the control of the combustion process according to each particular driving situation: either pure hydrogen, gasoline or a arbitrary blend of both can be selected to ensure optimum power, acceleration and CO2 reduction.
This control results in a powerful and dynamic propulsion system that provides sports car performance but with a carbon footprint more akin to that of a supermini.
Safety is paramount, of course, and the system includes four ultra-high strength carbon fiber tanks holding a total of 3.5kg (circa 7.7 lb) of hydrogen stored at a pressure of 350bar – two tanks housed next to the driver and two in the boot of the car. Meanwhile the entire hydrogen system developed by Alset Global and its partners is approved by German motorsport’s governing body, the DMSB.
The Hybrid Hydrogen race car is based on the new Rapide S four-door sports car that is arriving in Aston Martin showrooms in the coming weeks.
Redesigned and re-engineered to offer even greater style and significantly enhanced performance by virtue of its new AM11 6.0-liter V12 naturally aspirated engine, the new Rapide S is capable of 190 mph and sprints from 0 to 60 mph in only 4.7 seconds.
Aston Martin returns to compete in the ADAC Zurich Nurburgring 24 Hours on May 19-20 for the eighth successive year. More than 150 cars will start the fearsome 24-hour race, which runs on the daunting 25km (15.5 miles) circuit that combines the legendary Nordschleife with the modern Grand Prix track.
