More Power Per Liter Than a Chiron: Hydrogen Engine

The Combustion Engine Lives On.

AVL, one of the most superior mobility technology firms globally for building up, re-enactment, and testing within the automotive sector, has proclaimed a prototype hydrogen combustion 2.0-liter turbocharged powerplant.

Created by AVL’s Motorsport team, the powertrain has been designed during the past few months for unwavering H2 racing purposes – and the success of this project is nothing short of astonishing.

The powerplant was securely mounted to the inspection machinery at AVL’s base in Graz, and the strength it generated was absolutely astounding. It made 405 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 369 lb-ft between 3,000 to 4,000 rpm – meaning 203 hp (202.5 hp) was created for every single liter.

The hundred horsepower-per-liter fraternity is minimal in size, and going over two-hundred is a feat that not even the Bugatti Chiron (185 hp per liter) was able to accomplish. Nevertheless, AVL’s most contending rival is the SSC Ultimate Aero TT, which boasts a 6.3-liter twin-turbocharged V8 offering an impressive 202.8 horsepower per liter. This is one of the swiftest automobiles on the planet and has been outdone yet again.

For a holistic idea of this mechanization procedure, it is necessary to analyze the contrast between an energy efficient car such as the Mirai and another which works with hydrogen fuel ignited motor; i.e. the Yamaha YXZ1000R. Hydrogen normally has the capacity to catalyze a transformation which remodels it into electricity that peak up the battery, subsequently spinning the wheels. Concurrently, it can be appended to a conventional ignition engine which combusts it.

AVL progressed in leaps and bounds by integrating a savvy PFI water injection system. This injects additional water along with the intake air so premature implementation is thwarted. It’s somewhat peculiar that Toyota filed a patent for an analogous instrumentation recently, claiming both to boost the longevity of the engine. Furthermore, Toyota is confirming the usefulness of hydrogen burning in motorsports.

Still, it is very unlikely to expect to spot it in a vehicle created for sale in the foreseeable future.

“The results attained by our H2 racing engine demonstrate that we have produced a highly competitive package with this technology,” expressed Ellen Lohr, Director of Motorsport AVL. “The aim of AVL RaceTech is to guide motorsport into a sustainable future. By creating the first racing engine developed under our own name – a powerful H2-ICE – we have taken a step closer to realizing this ambition.”

Whilst this powertrain is for racing use only presently, it is expected that it will eventually migrate to manufacture vehicles in the years ahead. Racing is widely accepted as an excellent proving ground for latterly-developed parts, and AVL is, for now, tied to a single carmaker.

In 2021, it was revealed that AVL and Ineos had joined forces to develop a hydrogen fuel cell-powered Grenadier. Thanks to its remarkable performance capabilities, it appears Ineos may consider adding a hydrogen combustion variation to its expanding list of products.