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BMW Hydrogen 7
The BMW Hydrogen 7 luxury automobile is set to hit the streets as
a lease in April 2007, according to the BMW Group. In a race with
Mazda to bring the first commercial hydrogen cars to market, BMW
will have taken the lead in introducing its first 7-Series production
hydrogen vehicles in both the USA and Germany.
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BMW Hydrogen 7 Luxury Automobile |
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Unlike other hydrogen cars, which are powered by fuel cells, the
Hydrogen 7 is powered by a 12-cylinder internal combustion engine
(ICE). The BMW Hydrogen 7 also generates 260 hp, accelerates from
0 - 60 mph in just 9.4 seconds and runs on liquid hydrogen fuel
instead of compressed hydrogen as is typical for fuel cell vehicles.
The vehicle's top speed is electronically limited to 143 mph.
The BMW Hydrogen 7 is a dual-fuel vehicle capable of running on
either hydrogen or gasoline with just the press of a button on the
steering wheel. Engine torque and performance remain the same when
switching between the two modes. If either tank on the BMW Hydrogen
7 runs out of fuel the onboard controller automatically switches
the vehicle to the other tank.
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The Tonight Show host,
comedian and car enthusiastst Jay Leno drives a BMW Hydrogen
7 to his famed "green garage" in Burbank, California.
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The combined cruising range for the BMW Hydrogen 7 is around 425
miles with the gasoline tank (16.3 gal) contributing 300 miles and
the hydrogen tank (17.6 lb) contributing 125 miles. Because the
BMW Hydrogen 7 has dual-fuel capabilities, it can roll out before
the hydrogen infrastructure is in place.
The BMW Hydrogen 7 is a 4-seater 7-Series automobile based upon
the BMW 760i with many additional features. Some of the new features
include Park Distance Control, mirrors with automatic anti-dazzle
and Soft Close Automatic for the doors.
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The BMW 12-cylinder dual-fuel
hydrogen-gasoline internal combustion engine provides 260
hp and helps the Hydrogen 7 luxury automobile achieve a total
range of over 425 miles.
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The BMW Hydrogen 7 has undergone the regular product development
process, which means when the cars are rolled out, they will not
be individually hand-built machines as are most concept hydrogen
cars. Rather, the Hydrogen 7 will roll off the production line in
limited quantities as lease vehicles in both the USA and Germany.
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The BMW Hydrogen 7 is destined
to be the car of the stars. For instance, eco-friendly Brad
Pitt arrives in a BMW Hydrogen 7 to the premiere of Ocean's
13 in Hollywood at Grauman's Chinese Theatre.
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In Munich, the first public hydrogen fueling station is being
built and will open in 2007, coinciding with the release of the
BMW Hydrogen 7. Lessees of the BMW Hydrogen 7 will also be able
to fuel up in Berlin, which has two liquid hydrogen fueling stations
built as part of the Clean Air Partnership program. In the U. S.,
liquid hydrogen fueling stations are currently stationed in Washington
D. C. and Oxnard, California plus there are several more additional
mobile units that can also provide liquid hydrogen as needed.
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