New BMW Hydrogen 7

BMW has announced the introduction of the new BMW Hydrogen 7, the world’s first hydrogen-powered luxury performance car. Destined to make its first public appearance at the Los Angeles Motor Show in November, the Hydrogen 7 is a production ready car to be built in limited numbers and offered to select users in 2007.

The BMW Hydrogen 7 is based on the existing 7 Series and comes equipped with an internal combustion engine capable of running on liquid hydrogen or petrol. In hydrogen mode the car emits nothing more than water vapour. Powered by a 260hp 12-cylinder engine, the Hydrogen 7 accelerates from zero to 62mph in 9.5 seconds before going on to an electronically limited 143mph top speed.

With its unique dual power engine, the driver of a Hydrogen 7 can switch quickly and conveniently from hydrogen to conventional petrol power at the press of a steering wheel-mounted button. The dual power technology means the car has a cruising range in excess of 125 miles in the hydrogen mode with a further 300 miles under petrol power. To make this possible the BMW Hydrogen 7 comes with a conventional 74-litre petrol tank and an additional hydrogen fuel tank holding up to 8kgs of liquid hydrogen. Such flexibility means the driver of a BMW Hydrogen 7 is able to use the vehicle at all times even when the nearest hydrogen filling station is out of range.

For undiluted driver enjoyment, engine power and torque in the Hydrogen 7 remain exactly the same regardless of which fuel is in current use. The driver can switch between the two without any impact on driving behaviour or performance. The car’s ECU always gives priority to the use of hydrogen. Should this run out the system automatically switches to petrol power.
Unlike previous hydrogen concept vehicles the BMW Hydrogen 7 heralds a milestone in the history of the car. It is a full production ready model that meets all the stringent processes and final sign-off criteria that every current BMW has undergone. A total of 100 BMW Hydrogen 7s will be built in 2007. Details on pricing and the destinations of the 100 cars will be announced at a later date.

Why hydrogen?

The BMW Group has been committed to hydrogen technology as a means of reducing car emissions, in particular CO2 emissions, since BMW’s first hydrogen-powered car, a 5 Series was unveiled in 1979. When running in the hydrogen mode, the BMW Hydrogen 7 essentially emits nothing but water vapour. And, unlike fossil fuels and traditional petrol, hydrogen is available in virtually infinite supply when renewable energies such as solar, wind and wave power are used to produce the liquid hydrogen. Stored in a hi-tech tank which keeps the fuel at a pressure of 3-5 bar and a consistent temperature of –250°C, liquid hydrogen offers significant advantages in energy density compared to other possible alternative fuel sources to enhance the cruising range of the car.

BMW continues to develop ultra efficient, yet very dynamic petrol engines that significantly reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Together with clean performance diesel cars and the technologically advanced hybrid systems currently under development, the BMW Group has a clear strategy for sustainable mobility with hydrogen as the ultimate goal.

BMW tees off with the 2006 Ryder Cup
BMW is set to play a starring role in the 2006 Ryder Cup, golf’s most prestigious tournament, when a fleet of 70 BMWs are put through a punishing programme to ensure the event runs smoothly.

As the Official Car of The 2006 Ryder Cup, 70 BMW 5 Series Tourings, X5s and 7 Series will be used during the week of the tournament by the stars of the game, other VIPs and the event organisers. The punishing schedule of the world’s foremost golf challenge will see the BMWs cover in excess of 2,000 VIP transfers and 15,000 miles - equivalent to more than a year’s ownership by the usual caring BMW owner.

Starting Friday 22 September at the K Club, Straffan, County Kildare, Ireland, the 2006 Ryder Cup will be contested by the world’s best golfers, many of whom are BMW owners. Team Europe captain and BMW driver Ian Woosnam will field a team including David Howell, winner of the 2006 BMW Championship at Wentworth, and Henrik Stenson, winner of the BMW International Open 2006.

Note: BMW is also the Official Car of The European Tour and is strongly committed to grass roots golf through its development of the prestigious BMW Golf Cup International – the largest and most successful amateur event in the world. Last year more than 100,000 golfers from 51 different countries applied to enter.

Full Apple iPod compatibility comes to BMW
Thanks to the launch of a new adaptor all of the best-selling BMWs are now fully compatible with Apple iPod MP3 players. Owners of BMW 1, 3, 5, 6 and 7 Series cars are now able to access the full range of menu options displayed by Apple iPod, iPod nano, iPod mini and iPod photo devices. Previous adapter packages only allowed partial connectivity.

Depending on the specification of the vehicle, drivers of cars fitted with the Genuine BMW Interface can control the MP3 player via the iDrive controller, the multi-function steering wheel or the radio buttons. The Genuine BMW Interface allows all lists, titles or artists to be displayed in either the on-board monitor or radio display. The adapter, complete with iPod connecting cable and internal cable to link with the car’s audio system, costs £195 (excluding fitting).