BMW reckons its the world's first car maker to present a proof-of-concept hydrogen-drive car that has successfully completed the process of series development.

The BMW Hydrogen 7 Saloon is powered by a 260hp twelve-cylinder engine and accelerates from 0-60 mph in 9.5 seconds.  Top speed is limited electronically to 143 mph.  The lack of hydrogen refuelling stations, not just in the UK but in the world mean a dual-mode power unit is a must.  In the BMW Hydrogen 7 this switches over quickly and conveniently to conventional premium petrol.

Offering the world this highly practical solution, BMW is not only demonstrating its leadership in technology in the area of future-oriented drive systems.  Rather, the integration of hydrogen drive in an existing vehicle concept which has already proven its merits in the market paves the way for an alternative to conventional drive concepts fully accepted in the market and with all the assets the customer is looking for in practice.

Munich sees the Hydrogen 7 as "a milestone en route to an era of mobility independent of fossil fuels", and reckons that it proves that liquid hydrogen can be used as a source of energy for the production car.

BMW hopes that the car will add momentum for the development of a supply infrastructure with hydrogen filling stations.