These are believed to be the first spy pictures of the BMW hydrogen hybrid technology undergoing testing.
The tech, revealed yesterday by autocar.co.uk, could be used by the next-generation Mini and the front-wheel-drive BMWs planned for 2014.
The system combines a conventional front-drive powertrain along with a hydrogen fuel cell, electricity-storing supercapacitors and an electrically driven rear axle.
As can be seen in these pictures, BMW engineers have already built functioning prototypes based on 1-series hatchbacks converted to front-wheel drive.
Company engineers say the “fuel cell hybrid technology” is designed to allow a vehicle to travel emissions-free in city centres, a feat beyond the ability of regular petrol-electric hybrids.
This drivetrain will fit into today’s Mini Clubman, making it likely that it could become an option for the front-wheel-drive BMW and Mini models that are at least four metres long.
The fuel-cell hybrid has not yet been given the green light by BMW bosses, however, and the firm has to be certain that sufficient sales would be generated to ensure financial viability.
It also needs to decide whether hydrogen fuel pumps will become available in most large cities.
The system works by having two independent methods of driving the car. In the prototype, a conventional transverse Mini drivetrain powers the front wheels. Mounted behind the engine is the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), a slim fuel cell that develops just 5kW.
The electricity generated by the APU is supplied to the capacitors, which are mounted in the centre tunnel. They drive the 82kW electric motor on the rear axle.
When in electric mode the car is driven by the rear wheels. When in petrol mode the car is driven by the front wheels. The two powerplants can work together, though, to deliver short bursts of high acceleration.
BMW says that it can see a future when certain areas of city centres will demand vehicles that have zero local CO2 emissions and zero levels of pollutants.
Photos: Carpix
Hilton Holloway
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Re: BMW hydrogen hybrid spied
If you want a vehicle that produces zero local CO2 in city centres , a Prius with bigger batteries is the cheapest way to go.
There is no point in having fuel cell run by hydrogen with an ICE running on petrol , better to wait until hydrogen is generally available and have the ICE running on hydrogen as well.