Bosch Engineering and Ligier Automotive present high-performance vehicle with hydrogen engine.
18-06-2023 20:59 - MOTORSPORT
Just a few months into a joint innovation project, experts from Bosch Engineering and Ligier Automotive have built a high-performance vehicle with a hydrogen engine. The demonstrator is based on the Ligier JS2 R race car, which was modified for hydrogen operation. With this innovation vehicle, both companies demonstrate the potential that alternative, climate-friendly drive systems have for high-performance applications such as motorsports. The Ligier JS2 RH2 was officially presented to the public for the first time today as part of the 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. “Hydrogen engines offer a huge potential for high-performance applications, especially in motorsports. By constructing the demonstration vehicle, we illustrate our many years of expertise as an engineering service provider and, in particular, our competence in the complex environment of hydrogen”, says Dr. Johannes-Jörg Rüger, president of Bosch Engineering GmbH. Jacques Nicolet, president of Ligier Automotive adds, “The Ligier JS2 RH2 shows that Bosch Engineering and Ligier Automotive are ready to tackle tomorrow's challenges by offering innovative solutions to integrate new energies.” The Ligier JS2 RH2 has already been driven on test tracks in Germany and will be further developed and tested during the summer.
In the project, Bosch Engineering oversaw the overall vehicle design and played the key role in developing the concept for engine and tank system, and a comprehensive multistage hydrogen safety system. Ligier Automotive was responsible for the global vehicle dynamic performance, the design of the monocoque, and the chassis adaptation of its existing Ligier JS2 R. They also optimized the mechanical components for use with hydrogen and led their overall integration into the new vehicle. The vehicle features a V6 hydrogen engine and a carbon monocoque that integrates three 700-bar type IV hydrogen cylinders from Hexagon Purus. These tanks match the requirements on the dimensions, performance, and safety for the high-performance demonstration vehicle. The 3.0-liter biturbo charged V6 engine already has an output of 420 kilowatts and will be optimized even further in the coming weeks. It is based on a volume-production gasoline power unit that the experts at Bosch Engineering have converted for use with hydrogen. In particular, this involved adapting the ignition and the entire injection system. Not only does the engine concept ensure very lean combustion, with especially low nitrogen oxide emissions up to partial load. It also delivers a very high specific output. Another challenge while developing the engine was to achieve stable combustion without preignition at high loads and engine speeds of over 7,000 rpm.