BMW shows off drivetrain under its new i Hydrogen Next fuel cell vehicle

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BMW late March showed off the powertrain for its new fuel cell vehicle, based on the X5 SUV.

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The i Hydrogen Next FCV is fueled by two cylindrical hydrogen tanks, one in front of the rear axle; and a larger one that runs down the centre of the vehicle where a driveshaft would normally be.

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The hydrogen fuel stack will generate 170 horsepower, and also have a battery pack to boost the vehicle to peak power; this gives the vehicle a combined output of 374 horsepower.

BMW has had some experience with hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, having previously built a 7 Series with a hydrogen V12, as well as a fleet of i8 and 5 Series fuel cell prototypes. Furthermore, it’s undertaking development of the new powertrain with Toyota, with which it’s have had a partnership since 2013, basing it on tech previously used in the Mirai.

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The i Hydrogen Next will also preview tech likely to be used in the next-generation Toyota Mirai sedan. Toyota says the Mirai will aim for 400 miles (643 km) of range, while BMW is keeping tight-lipped about its vehicle’s range.

The i Hydrogen Next will go into limited production in 2022, but may initially only be sold in California due to the number of hydrogen stations available. Hopefully, hydrogen infrastructure will expand to more areas by then, allowing manufacturers to more reasonably consider hydrogen fuel cell technology for their vehicles.