Saturday, August 18, 2007

Ford Fusion Hydrogen 999 Hits 207mph

Ford Fusion Hydrogen 999

Ford has made history today by achieving 207.279 mph with the Ford Fusion Hydrogen 999, the world’s first production based hydrogen fuel cell race car. The Ford Fusion Hydrogen 999 is Ford’s latest environmental innovation, and represents a step on the road toward commercially viable hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The car was designed and built by Ford engineers in collaboration with The Ohio State University, Ballard and Roush.

The Ford Fusion Hydrogen 999 fuel cell car – the world’s first and only production vehicle-based fuel cell race car – was a collaboration with Ballard, Roush and The Ohio State University and one of two vehicles demonstrating that fuel cell technology can set land speed records. Ford researchers also are supporting student engineers from The Ohio State University on its Buckeye Bullet 2, a streamliner type fuel cell-powered racer attempting 300+ mph.

“What we’ve accomplished is nothing short of an industry first,” said Gerhard Schmidt, vice president, Research & Advanced Engineering for Ford Motor Company. “No other automaker in the world has come close. We are excited to have accomplished something never before done. We established this project to advance fuel cell powered vehicles and to do what has never been done before and we did it.”Ford Fusion Hydrogen 999

Schmidt said that Ford’s historic run at Bonneville will further expand Ford’s technological horizons with fuel cell-powered vehicles, because it is a fuel that could someday play a key role in meeting the energy needs of the transportation sector. The Ford Fusion Hydrogen 999 is Ford’s latest environmental innovation and is another step on the road toward commercially viable hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

The speed was reached during a run at the Bonneville Nationals, which are being held from Aug. 10-17.

The Ford Fusion Hydrogen 999 land speed record vehicle was designed by Ford engineers and built by Roush in Allen Park, Mich. Ford engineers leveraged the 2004 Buckeye Bullet’s electric motor, while Ballard supplied the 400 kW hydrogen fuel cells. Ford retiree Rick Byrnes, a veteran Bonneville racer, piloted the Ford Fusion Hydrogen 999 on its record breaking run.

Ohio State students have designed their streamliner, dubbed Buckeye Bullet 2, from the ground up. Ballard donated the hydrogen fuel cells for Ohio State’s car, Roush its engineering services and Ford has provided overall project coordination and expertise in fuel cell drivetrains.

In 2004, Ohio State students set the unlimited land speed record for an electric vehicle by running 314 mph in the first Buckeye Bullet, dubbed BB1.

Ford Fusion Hydrogen 999 Part of a Broader Effort

The Ford Fusion Hydrogen 999 shows one of the ways Ford is advancing environmental innovation with the goal of offering vehicles with zero impact on the environment. Multiple technologies, including hydrogen fuel cells, hybrids, E85 ethanol, clean diesels, bio-diesels, advanced engine and transmission technologies allow a flexible approach that balances customer needs, environmental impact and shareholder interests.

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