Click above for a high-res gallery of the Tiguan HyMotion
Volkswagen has shown off its Tiguan HyMotion Fuel Cell Concept for the first time in California. The five-passenger SUV, based on the Volkswagen Tiguan, features a hydrogen fuel cell powering an electric motor. The electric motor may also pull power from a 6.8 Ampere-hour lithium-ion battery that is recharged by recuperating braking energy. The VW hybrid generates 107 horsepower under normal conditions. With assist from its auxiliary energy battery, the total output increases to 134 horsepower. According to VW, that is enough power to push the Tiguan HyMotion to 60 mph in about 14 seconds and a top speed is 93 mph.
While the performance is less-than-stellar, you have to remember that the Tiguan HyMotion produces zero tailpipe emissions. Yes, the only thing coming out of the pipe is clean water vapor. It's a concept, however, so don't expect to see it in showrooms anytime soon.
[Source: Volkswagen]
Volkswagen's U.S. Debut of Zero Emission Tiguan
HERNDON, Va.-Volkswagen of America, Inc. is showcasing its broad range of near-term and future fuel-efficient powertrain technologies with the all-new 2.0 liter TSI Tiguan, the upcoming 2.0 liter Jetta TDI and the North American debut of the Tiguan HyMotion Fuel Cell Concept.
Originally shown at the Shanghai Motor Show and the 2007 Michelin Challenge Bibendum, the Tiguan HyMotion highlights the current state of Volkswagen's hydrogen fuel cell research and development. The Tiguan HyMotion features a hydrogen fuel cell system, which provides over 107 horsepower and produces zero tailpipe emissions (clean water vapor is its only bi-product). The innovative new Tiguan builds upon Volkswagen's ongoing development of the fuel cell as previously demonstrated with the Touran HyMotion.
Volkswagen has long been committed to fuel efficient, environmentally responsible vehicles and this is evident with the new Tiguan utility vehicle and the Jetta TDI, offered in both sedan and SportWagen body styles. These vehicles provide efficiency, utility and performance in the refinement and interior appointment that is the hallmark of all Volkswagen vehicles. The well-refined four cylinder turbocharged engines – the Jetta utilizing Volkswagen's TDI technology and the Tiguan the fuel efficient TSI – provide ample horsepower and prodigious torque to make these vehicles sporty, efficient and fun to drive.
Tiguan HyMotion
The Tiguan HyMotion concept features a fuel cell system integrated in the engine compartment capable of 107 horsepower. With an assist from the electric motor, the Tiguan HyMotion advances to 134 horsepower. The top speed of the Tiguan HyMotion is 93 mph and it accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in about 14 seconds.
A lithium ion battery with a charge capacity of 6.8 Ampere-hours (Ah) serves as an auxiliary energy storage device with a maximum power output of 22 kW. The battery is charged by recovered braking energy (recuperation) or by the fuel cell. This increased functionality and efficiency does not impair the interior space of the vehicle. The battery system is installed in the trunk beneath the dual cargo floor available on the production Tiguan. The 700 bar hydrogen tank was integrated in the area beneath the floor in the rear bench seat and cargo area. It can hold up to 3.2 kilograms of hydrogen (H2).
Basic operation of fuel cells
The key component of each individual fuel cell – a number of them are combined into a stack – is a proton-conducting membrane. It is located between each anode and cathode pair. Hydrogen flows on the anode side, and air flows into the cell on the cathode side. When many of these cells are combined in a stack, enough energy can be generated to drive a vehicle.
In each cell, hydrogen and oxygen react to form water on the cathode side. The fuel cell thereby converts chemical energy directly into electrical energy in an oxidation, or "cold" combustion process. The generated "exhaust" is clean water vapor.
The fuel cell is supplied fuel from the hydrogen tank and oxygen from the air by an external air inlet and outputs the electrical energy it generates – the power – via a converter and a downstream electrical system rectifier – to one or more electric motors. The Tiguan HyMotion is nearly silent when driven, and it is emissions-free.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bryan @ Jun 13th 2008 2:38PM
Now with less "Engine Surge"
Eric @ Jun 13th 2008 2:40PM
Wow is all hydrogen performance this low??
psu48187 @ Jun 13th 2008 2:40PM
How about VWoA focus on getting a diesel Tiguan over here first.
Duodenum @ Jun 13th 2008 4:49PM
Only if diesel prices start dropping. At 80-90 cents per gallon more than regular, you have to have a pretty substantial improvement in fuel economy to make up for the difference in fuel alone. Unless the Tig takes premium, which is much closer in price.
psu48187 @ Jun 13th 2008 5:06PM
The 2.0T does in fact drink premium.
And don't get me wrong, it's not like the Tiguan does horrible when it comes to fuel economy. It would be nice to see other options.
montoym @ Jun 13th 2008 10:07PM
From Duodenum, "Only if diesel prices start dropping. At 80-90 cents per gallon more than regular, you have to have a pretty substantial improvement in fuel economy to make up for the difference in fuel alone" -
It always sounds so horrible when you fail to actually do the math.
Even at 80-90 cents more per gallon, you will still pay less for fuel with a diesel in most cases. We don't have EPA figures on the TDI Tiguan yet, but we do for the Jetta TDI which will use the same engine.
The Jetta achieves 41mpg hwy according to the EPA(which history proves is very low, expect closer to 50 real-world), but I'll use the EPA figures anyhow. So, assuming the heavier and less aerodynamic Tiguan, figure 35mpg hwy with the TDI. Now, the gas version gets an EPA rated 24mpg hwy with the auto(Jetta TDI figures were also with the auto). So, that's 11mpg better with the TDI, which is 45.8% better mileage than the gas version. Now, I'll still do the math, but it takse no rocket scientist to see that diesel does not cost 46% more than gas.
But, here are the figures anyhow. Remember, prices vary all over the country, this is based on my current prices from gasbuddy.com.
Regular Gas - $3.77/gal.
Premium Gas - $3.97/gal.
Diesel - $4.56/gal.
So, diesel is 20.95% higher than regular gas and 14.86% higher than premium. So, with diesel netting about 46% higher mileage, even with higher diesel prices, you will save money.
Now, there is another side which harms diesels a bit as well. They do cost more initially. Granted, this is only an issue if you buy a new one. But, expect the TDI option to add about $2000 to the cost of your vehicle. So, how long will you have to drive to recover the $2000?
Well, using the figures I calculated above, it costs about 16.54 cents/mi. to drive the gas Tiguan and 13.03 cents/mi. to drive the TDI version. That's a difference of 3.51cents/mi. So, to save $2000, you'd have to drive about 57K miles. Not bad when you consider that the life of a diesel engine can be hundreds of thousands of miles.
Jared @ Jun 13th 2008 2:41PM
What is more important than the "less than stellar" performance is the cost of the fuel cell stack. Last I heard they cost around $500,000 each and had significant environmental limitations as well.
coolremo @ Jun 13th 2008 2:46PM
why dont they try this hybrid technology in a smaller car so perhaps performance would be better?
also if the technology actually works in the concept, why shouldnt we expect to see it in showrooms anytime soon?
Jared @ Jun 13th 2008 2:51PM
Because 1) fuel cell stacks cost too much, even after 15 years of development 2) there is no infrastructure for distributing hydrogen, 3) hydrogen is difficult to store without waste, 4) hydrogen is expensive to produce in terms of energy.
coolremo @ Jun 13th 2008 3:22PM
so why do they even bother producing the concept?
Jared @ Jun 13th 2008 3:32PM
Good question. Actual expectation of getting some R&D breakthrough? Or just some greenwashing?
Torrent @ Jun 13th 2008 3:17PM
To erase the memories of the engine surge.
Bryan @ Jun 13th 2008 3:50PM
haha......score!
Jon @ Jun 13th 2008 4:35PM
I'd like to point out that for people that live in far northern US states (Minnesota, northern Michigan for example) that experience winter temperatures well below zero might not be interested in a car that has water coming out of the tailpipe. I know that you do get water vapor with a combustion engine, but at least you are providing enough heat to prevent it from becoming a huge 'ice banana' in your exhaust pipe.
Brent @ Jun 13th 2008 5:30PM
Haha, yeah. We will never see Hydrogen in the North.
eb110americana @ Jun 13th 2008 5:59PM
@Autoblog:
You need to fix this article, as it's terribly misleading. The Tiguan HyMotion is NOT a hybrid. That's "HyMotion" as in hydrogen fuel. There are 2 main methods of running off hydrogen: burning it in an internal combustion engine like BMW, or running a fuel cell, which is essentially an electric car with hydrogen gas as the power storage. This VW is the latter.
There is one rather confusing phrase in the press release though, "The Tiguan HyMotion concept features a fuel cell system integrated in the engine compartment capable of 107 horsepower. With an assist from the electric motor, the Tiguan HyMotion advances to 134 horsepower."
This is nonsense, however, as all fuel cell cars are powered by electric motors. Perhaps they mean when augmented by the power from the regenerative braking which is stored in a separate battery (since obviously it cannot be turned back into hydrogen). Or that the electric motor is capable of momentary bursts of 134 hp, but is rated at 107 for steady state output.
I can see where that may have been a cause for the confusion, but the press release says nothing to indicate that a hybrid powerplant with any type of internal combustion engine is present in the Tiguan HyMotion (although several other production vehicles, such as diesels are touted).
Taylor @ Jun 13th 2008 6:35PM
Yeah, i was gonna comment on that too...
Autoblog, how could you make that mistake? You realize fuel cells just produce electricity, right? And that the fuel cell's electricity is used to drive an electric motor? So it's not "Fuel Cell or electric Motor", it's "Fuel Cell and electric motor", or "battery and electric motor", or both. Not sure how you could have missed that distinction... :/
-Taylor
Michael Harley @ Jun 13th 2008 8:20PM
Fixed.
Sorry, we are not the green-tech experts (see AutoblogGreen for that)!
Thanks for the heads-up.
- Mike
John D @ Jun 14th 2008 3:46PM
VW has some great concepts but .....It's time VW put some of these ideas on the street at a reasonable price and in sufficient volume. I'm tired of hearing about the new Jetta Blue-Tec Diesel or Hybrid Golf, etc....but all they have in the showroom is a Rabbit that gets worse mileage than previous generations! Come on VW, get off the show circuit and into production.....and about that US factory, I wouldn't hold my breath on that one, either!