2009 BMW Hydrogen 7
Not Yet Ranked
Performance - What the Auto Press Says
The BMW Hydrogen 7 has all the same suspension and steering components as the 2007 edition of the conventionally-powered BMW 7-Series - one of the most agile large sedans in the world. Its propulsion system, however, is completely unique among production cars. It features a version of the V12 engine that powers the gasoline-only BMW 760Li, modified to accept either gasoline or liquid hydrogen. The system doesn't match the acceleration of the 760Li, but it replicates the acceleration of some less-expensive cars or SUVs.
- "The regular 7-series is certainly a natural fit to anyone wanting to showcase cutting edge automotive technologies (always has been). But in this case, it literally was a good fit for the numerous hydrogen-related components that had to be installed without cramping the occupants. From what we can tell, the installation was seamless." -- Car and Driver
- "From the driver seat, this is definitely still a BMW. The H-7 is smooth, polished, poised on the road, and still pretty spritely." -- Edmunds
- "Because the engine output is reduced when it burns hydrogen, BMW detuned the gas-burning mode to match, ensuring that drivers wouldn't feel any difference in performance when switching between the fuels." -- New York Times
Acceleration and Power
The BMW Hydrogen 7 uses a version of the V12 that powers the 2007 edition of the BMW 7-Series, modified to burn either gasoline or liquid hydrogen. The vehicle carries one fuel tank for each of its fuel sources, and can switch back and forth between the two with the flick of a switch. Reviewers say the transition between fuels is so smooth it is undetectable to the driver. The car is not as powerful as a conventional 7-Series and makes 260 horsepower with either fuel source. That gives it acceleration on par with an inexpensive midsize car, according to most test drivers. BMW has not released fuel economy estimates for the car, nor has the Environmental Protection Agency published a figure.
- "The 7-series isn't light to begin with and saddled with an undisclosed amount of additional weight, the V-12 is said to deliver its driver to 62 mph in a leisurely 9.5 seconds, regardless of which fuel is being used. That's some four seconds off the pace of a 360-hp 750Li. Top speed is electronically governed at 143 mph." -- Car and Driver
- "Passing maneuvers and uphill on-ramps need a little more careful consideration than in a 760 because you don't have as much sheer thrust. But the difference is not fatal. (BMW quotes 0-62 mph in 9.5 seconds: leisurely but livable.)." -- Edmunds
- "The engine makes a mere 260 horsepower, compared with a mighty 438 in the gas-only version. The 5.4 zero-to-60 sprint of the 760Li turns into a 9.5-second crawl. (I got smoked off the line by a Honda Odyssey minivan)." -- New York Times
- "I pull the Hydrogen 7 out into traffic and joust my way over to the West Side Highway and trundle up to 40-or-so miles per hour, far slower than its' touted 154-mph top speed. The H7 is running just fine, so I thumb the H2 button on the wheel and-exactly nothing happens. The speed and note of the engine change not one bit." -- Popular Mechanics
Handling and Braking
The BMW Hydrogen 7 uses the same suspension and steering mechanisms as the standard BMW 7-Series, with the suspension re-calibrated to effectively carry the extra weight of the dual-fuel system. Reviewers say it handles as crisply as the 7-Series it's based on - already one of the best rides in the super-luxury class.
- "Suspension calibration effectively hides the car's extra mass, so this is another BMW 7 Series sedan that impresses you with how lithe and responsive a heavyweight luxocruiser can be." -- Edmunds
- "Despite the tepid acceleration and a weight gain of several hundred pounds over the 4,900-pound 760Li, the car is a delight to drive, steering and handling as brilliantly as the gas-only version." -- New York Times