Remember when BMW created a hydrogen-powered 7 Series? It happened in 2005, featuring a 6.0-liter V12 engine modified to allow hydrogen combustion in addition to gasoline. BMW called it the Hydrogen 7 and built a few units as part of an experiment to show that hydrogen can be used in passenger cars.
Well, the four-door sedan wasn't the only Bimmer that got the hydrogen V12 powerplant. The mill was first used in a prototype race car called the H2R, which was short for Hydrogen Record Car. Unveiled in 2004, it was the result of over 25 years of experimentation. And unlike the Hydrogen 7 that followed, its 6.0-liter V12 ran on hydrogen only.
Based on the V12 offered in the BMW 760i at the time, it featured a fuel injection system capable of handling hydrogen and injection valves integrated within the intake manifolds. The engine was rated at 232 horsepower and 285 pound-feet (386 Nm) of torque. And it had enough oomph to push the single-seater to a top speed of 187 mph (300 kph).
BMW used the H2R to set nine international and FIA-ratified records for vehicles with hydrogen combustion engines at the Miramas Proving Grounds (France) in 2004. Achievements included running the flying-start mile in 19.91 seconds at 181.85 mph (292.66 kph) and the standing-start mile in 36.73 seconds at 98.60 mph (158.68 kph). The HR2 also covered 10 miles (16 km) from a standing start in 3:41 minutes and 10 km (six miles) from a standing start in 2:26 minutes.
The H2R never made it past the prototype stage, but it helped BMW develop the Hydrogen 7 and the iX5 Hydrogen. The latter broke cover in 2019 in concept form and went into production in 2022. By combining hydrogen fuel cells and battery power, the SUV cranks out 401 horsepower and 531 pound-feet (720 Nm) of torque and provides 313 miles (504 km) of range. Granted, the H2R doesn't run on fuel cell technology, but building a hydrogen combustion engine was a big step toward creating a proper FCEV production model (albeit limited to less than 100 units).
And speaking of the iX5 Hydrogen, the H2R now features a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) tank sourced from the SUV. BMW swapped the old safety cell during a recent restoration process that gave the H2R a much-needed refresh.
And the result was showcased at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed, where the hydrogen V12 racer drove up the hill alongside the iX5 Hydrogen. Looking as fresh as it did almost 20 years ago, the H2R proved that it still has what it takes to run fast. And needless to say, the hydrogen-fed V12 sounds fantastic under full throttle. Check it out in the video below.
Ask Ciprian about cars and he'll reveal an obsession with classics and an annoyance with modern design cues. Read his articles and you'll understand why his ideal SUV is the 1969 Chevrolet K5 Blazer. Full profile
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