Prototypes of the BMW i Hydrogen NEXT will examine how effectively the CO2-free drivetrain, model-specific chassis technology and vehicle electronics systems work together under real-life conditions.
The field testing focused on efficiency, safety, convenience, reliability and most importantly - driving pleasure.
The BMW i Hydrogen NEXT is a pure electric vehicle that uses hydrogen as fuel by converting it into electricity in a fuel cell.
The testing programme will pave the way for the BMW Group to present a small-series model with this sustainable drive technology, developed on the basis of the BMW X5, in late 2022.
Extensive field testing of these vehicles will provide practical experience in the use of this sustainable drive technology.
The complete drive system in the BMW i Hydrogen NEXT combines hydrogen fuel cell technology with fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology – which are already available in the BMW iX3 and soon the BMW iX and BMW i4.
The system also includes a performance buffer battery that stores energy to be used for dynamic acceleration manoeuvres and short bursts of speed for overtaking.
As a result, the system delivers an output of 275kW/374hp that corresponds exactly to that of the most powerful six-cylinder in-line petrol engine currently used in BMW models.
