Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S
Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S

Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S

(2013)

Aston Martin created history at the 41st ADAC Zurich 24 Hours of Nürburgring in May 2013 by racing a hybrid hydrogen car, the first hydrogen powered car to compete in an international event as well as the first zero CO2 emissions sports car to complete a race pace lap.

Aston Martin’s engineers, working in partnership with hydrogen experts Alset Global, took the 2010 Rapide racecar, a pre-production example and installed a prototype twin turbocharged 5.9 litre V12 engine. The car is the first factory twin-turbo Aston Martin since the 1980 twin turbo Lagonda and mid-engined Bulldog and is every bit as revolutionary.

Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S

The engine is capable of running on just petrol, just gaseous hydrogen, or a blend of both and demonstrates the companies commitment to engineering innovation. In pure hydrogen mode, Aston Martin and Alset Global aim to show that a zero CO2 emissions lap of the Nordschleife is possible while emitting virtually only water from the exhaust.

The Hybrid Hydrogen system, approved by German motorsport’s governing body, the DMSB, comprises a hydrogen fuel rail, storage tanks and proprietary engine management system. The critically important four storage tanks are made from ultra-high strength carbon fibre and hold a total of 3.5kg of hydrogen stored at a pressure of 350bar. Two tanks housed next to the driver and two in the boot of the car. The engine management enables flexibility in the control of the combustion process according to ensure optimum power, acceleration and CO2 reduction. The Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S may have true sports car performance but also has only the carbon footprint of a Cygnet.

Rumours during 2015 were that Aston Martin are working on an all electric Rapide for launch before the end of 2017. With the standard V12 removed, there would be plenty of space under the bonnet for all the batteries and such a system could, in theory deliver 1000 bhp and a range of 200 miles.

The photographs of the Rapide were taken when the car was displayed, un-cleaned since the race at the Gaydon factory during Centenary week in July 2013.