BMW Hydrogen 7 - production-ready, hydrogen-gasoline V12 Saloon

Yet a further feature is that a new generation of the TPC Tyre Pressure Control system permanently monitors the car’s wheels. Integrated in the valves of all four wheels, the TPC sensors register even minor deviations from the ideal tyre pressure, thus recognising the risk of a flat in good time even with only a gradual loss of pressure.

Accommodation of additional components in the rear end of the car called for re-alignment of the suspension and damping systems in BMW Hydrogen 7. So despite the higher load on the rear axle, both driving stability and motoring comfort remain at an optimum standard. And yet a further feature is BMW’s electronic AdaptiveDrive anti-roll stability system with continuously adjustable dampers featured as standard in BMW Hydrogen 7 and naturally specially tailored to the car.

The bodyshell of BMW Hydrogen 7 has likewise been modified exactly where required in order to set off the increase in weight resulting from this new drive technology and at the same time fulfil all demands in terms of passive safety. Use of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFP), for example, ensures an even higher level of crash strength and safety with only a minimum increase in weight.

Focusing especially on BMW Hydrogen 7, BMW’s engineers have furthermore developed an innovative combined CFP/steel body structure, with the sideframes right and left being reinforced all round by CFP in order to give the bodyshell additional strength and stiffness.

A particular feature of the car truly catching the eye from the very beginning is the engine compartment lid characterised in its contours by a distinctive powerdome. This change in design is indeed essential due to the greater height of the engine compared with a conventional twelve-cylinder – and at the same time it is a clear indication of the unique power unit beneath the engine lid. Luxury class comfort for four

Given the position of the hydrogen tank beneath the parcel shelf and behind the rear seats, BMW Hydrogen 7 had to be modified at the rear, with luggage compartment capacity being reduced in the process to 225 litres. And on account of the car’s overall package, the centre armrest is fitted firmly at the rear.

Precisely this is why BMW Hydrogen 7 is conceived as a four-seater, the two passengers at the rear enjoying the same high standard of grand touring comfort in the world’s first hydrogen car developed for everyday use as in one of BMW’s “regular” luxury performance saloons.

The rear seat bench, for example, is positioned approximately 115 millimetres further to the front than in the long-wheelbase version of the BMW 7 Series running exclusively on gasoline, but is still about 25 millimetres further to the rear than in the standard-wheelbase saloon. As a result, legroom is as generous as one would expect in a car of this class also in BMW Hydrogen 7.

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