Volkswagen has used the Los Angeles Auto Show to take the wraps off its Golf SportWagen HyMotion, a hydrogen fuel-cell research vehicle which the company will use to explore the possibilities of using the clean power method in future production models.
The current Golf is based on Volkswagen’s MQB platform, which the manufacturer claims enables both the Golf hatchback and Golf SportWagen to host all conceivable power options. As a result, the Golf is currently available with petrol, diesel, natural gas, electric, and plug-in hybrid drive versions.
The fuel-cell in the Golf SportWagen HyMotion uses a so-called ‘cold combustion’ process, generating power from the chemical reaction when hydrogen and oxygen are combined to produce pure water, a system which drives an electric motor with zero emissions. The hydrogen is stored in four space-saving, carbon-fibre, underbody tanks which provides a 310 mile driving range and can be refilled in only three minutes.
Performance-wise , the front wheel drive Golf SportWagen HyMotion does 0-62mph in ten seconds flat, courtesy of its 100kW motor developed by the Volkswagen Technology Centre for Electric Traction. Acceleration is boosted by the kinetic energy from regenerative braking , with is stored in a high-voltage lithium-ion battery. The electric motor, adapted from the one fitted in the electric-powered production model the e-Golf, gets its power from both the fuel-cell and the battery.
Volkswagen is using the concept model to demonstrate the viability of implementing hydrogen fuel-cell power into its current MQB-platform. It hopes to show this could be achieved with a price tag acceptable to new car buyers, leaving the lack of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure the only stumbling block to making the widespread use of the method a reality.
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