Introduction:
Many manufacturers are starting to create hydrogen cars, as fossil fuels start to deplete and become expensive.
Hydrogen is derived from natural gas, fossil fuels or ethanol and can also be produced from water that has been through electrolysis. Hydrogen when combined with oxygen can also produce electricity that can be used to power electric motors. Hydrogen is extremely flammable and must be kept in a heavy duty tank.
The cost of manufacturing hydrogen cars at the present moment is very expensive and not cost effective. Most hydrogen cars are hybrid (running a combination of hydrogen and fossil fuel). Some use hydrogen to produce electricity to power electric motors others use hydrogen to run their engines.
Mazda RX8:
One of the first sports cars I saw powered by hydrogen was the Mazda RX8 (H2RE). Able to run on both fossil fuel and hydrogen (separately) with a flick of a switch. This RX8 has therefore 2 fuel tanks and can run 390 miles using both tanks and still allows for 2 rear passenger seats.
MAZDA RX-8 HYDROGEN 2007
The Scorpion:
Manufactured by Ronn Motor Company in Texas. This car combines Hydrogen (40%) and normal fossil fuel (60%) to improve economy (said to be around 40mpg). The Scorpion has 450hp from it's twin turbo 3.5 litre V6 Honda engine, does 0-60 in approx 3.5 seconds and has a 200mph top speed. Oh and it still only weighs 950kg despite that large engine and turbos.
Lifecar:
Meaning (lightweight fuel efficient car) is hydrogen powered, with zero emissions. Manufactured by Morgan, it weighs less than 700kg and can do 250miles per tank of hydrogen. 0-60 in 7 seconds and a top speed of 90mph (ninety).
Morgan's zero emission Life Car
BMW HR2:
Powered by a 12 cylinder 6 litre engine from the 760i and using hydrogen fuel, this car broke 9 world speed records for a purely hydrogen powered internal combustions engine.
The following records were set in Miramar:
Time in sec. Speed in km/h
Flying-start kilometre 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 kilometre 17.269 104.233
Standing-start mile 36.725 157.757
Standing-start 10-miles 221.052 262.094
Standing-start kilometre 26.557 135.557
Standing-start 10-kilometres 46.406 245.892
BMW's Hydrogen Race Car
GM Autonomy Concept Car 2002:
Uses electric motors powered by hydrogen. Mechanical and hydraulic linkages are all replaced by electrical wires and actuators.
GM Autonomy Concept Car
Peugeot Flux Concept Car:
A hydrogen powered concept car designed by a 20 year old student and shown full scale at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Peugeot Flux Concept Car
Hydrogen FCX Clarity:
Not a sports car I know, but worth a mention. The Honda FCX Clarity may well be the future car to come, as it runs as a fuel cell only car. It combines hydrogen with oxygen to make electricity to power an electric motor and of course the only by-product is water. There is a relatively small Lithium-ion battery that stores the electricity. With approximately 130bhp it can get to 60 in around 9 seconds (not bad for a family saloon by any standard).
