Aston Martin has become the first automotive brand to complete a lap of Germany’s Nurburgring circuit in a zero-emissions hydrogen-fuelled vehicle.
Company CEO Dr Ulrich Bez was at the wheel of the prototype Aston Martin Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S model for the 24kms journey around the grueling Nordschleife circuit last Saturday.
Developed in conjunction with technical partners Alset Global, the hydrogen-fuelled Aston will actually compete at the Nurburgring circuit next month in the annual 24-hour race for GT cars. After Dr Bez’ first lap, the car then went on to complete a four-hour test session.
The 6.0-litre V12 Aston Martin Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S will compete in the experimental (E1-XP) class and is capable of running on petrol, hydrogen or a combination of both. At each pit-stop re-fuelling will be both patrol and 3.5kgs of hydrogen.
Aston Martin plans to complete laps during the race with the special Rapide S emitting no C02 gas and running on pure hydrogen.
Car Showroom has shared coffee with many leading automotive engineers in all corners of the globe and they’ll tell you while electric cars are a viable short-term solution for zero-emissions motoring, longer term hydrogen-fuelled vehicles are viewed as the best replacement for petrol or diesel and it is in this area where considerable R&D dollars are being invested right now.
