Aston Martin revealed on Saturday the new Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S at the Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany. This was the first time a hydrogen-fuelled zero CO2 emissions vehicle lapped the infamous "Green Hell". Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer Dr. Ulrich Bez drove the Rapide S Hybrid Hydrogen around the track on the 27th of April, 2013. The hybrid Rapide S is going to compete in the 24 hour race next month in the company of 200+ GT cars. The four-hour ADAC ACAS H&R-Cup VLN series race that took place last weekend was used as a shake-down and test session for the Aston Rapide Hybrid. Aston's engineers equipped the Rapide Hydrogen Hybrid with a prototype powertrain that includes a twin turbocharged 6.0-litre V12 engine. After each stint, the Rapide Hybrid needs to be refueled 3.5kg of hydrogen as well as petrol.
When running in the Hydrogen-only mode, the Rapide Hybrid emits only water.
The hydrogen-powered part of the Rapide Hybrid's powertrain includes a hydrogen fuel rail, storage tanks and proprietary engine management system. The hydrogen is held in ultra-high strength carbon fiber tanks, which store it at a pressure of 350bar. We'll have more details regarding the Aston Martin Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S as soon as they're available.
