Based on Aston Martin’s new four-door, four-seat sports car available this month, the Gaydon-built model is set to become the first hydrogen-powered sports car to complete a race-pace lap at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring.

Working in partnership with hydrogen experts Alset Global, Aston Martin’s engineers have developed a prototype twin turbocharged 6.0-litre V12 engine that will power the Nürburgring car.

Capable of running on pure gasoline, pure gaseous hydrogen, or a blend of both, the Hybrid Hydrogen race car showcases Aston Martin’s 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.

Showcasing the technology at the Nürburgring – acknowledged as one of the toughest and most demanding circuits in the world and, of course, nicknamed ‘the Green Hell’ – Aston Martin will underline the reliability and safety of today’s hydrogen technology.

Welcoming the debut of the Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S, Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer Dr Ulrich Bez said: “As we celebrate our centenary in 2013 and look back on a century of excitement, innovation and style it’s also the perfect time to look to the future with this astonishing race car.

“Aston Martin has a strong track record of innovation and, with our superb history of competition and testing at the Nürburgring, it is only right that we showcase this amazing new technology at this year’s 24-hour race.”

The Hybrid Hydrogen system comprises a hydrogen fuel rail, storage tanks and proprietary engine management system. This enables flexibility in the control of the combustion process according to each particular driving situation: either pure hydrogen, gasoline or an arbitrary blend of both can be selected to ensure optimum power, acceleration and CO2 reduction.

This control results in a powerful and dynamic propulsion system that provides sports car performance but with a carbon footprint more akin to that of a supermini.

Dr Bez added: “Working with Alset Global to unveil this system in such a challenging environment as the 24 Hours of Nürburgring shows once again how confident we are in our cars, our people and our partners.”

SAFETY

Aston Martin has included four ‘ultra-high strength carbon fibre tanks’ holding 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.

Meanwhile, the entire hydrogen system developed by Alset Global and its partners has been approved by German motorsport’s governing body, the DMSB.

THE GREEN BROTHER TO THE FOUR-DOOR RAPIDE S

Redesigned and re-engineered to offer even greater style and significantly enhanced performance by virtue of its new AM11 6.0-litre V12 naturally aspirated engine, the new Rapide S is capable of 190mph and sprints from 0 to 62mph in only 4.9 seconds.

Dr Bez said of the new road car: “It is a four-door sports car that uniquely combines luxury, style and sporting excitement in Aston Martin’s most flexible and accommodating silhouette. This is the four-door sports car in its most versatile form.”  

The 41st 24 Hours of Nürburgring will take place on May 19 and 20, with 150 cars starting the terrifying endurance race. 

Ticket prices for the 24 Hours of Nürburgring

Day pass: £20.40
Weekend ticket: £48.44
Four-day ticket: £54.39
VIP ticket: £381.58