Nissan takes fuel cell vehicle on run of the 'Ring
The undisputed champion of hydrogen fuel cell SUVs at the Nurburgring has been crowned: the Nissan X-Trail FCV. The winning time: 11:58. Of course, it's the winning time because it's the only time -- a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle has never ran the 'Ring before.
After piloting the 120 bhp X-Trail around the world for two years, Nissan engineer Frank Eickholt, decide it was time to take it to the track. The €1.3 million X-Trail was apparently hampered by moist tarmac, so you can expect a redo at some point in the future. Just when you thought the 'Ring craze was as hot as it could get, here come the hydro-powered vehicles to... pour some water on it...
[Source: ZerCustoms]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Satish 6:48PM (7/23/2008)
Perhaps BMW should get its 760h and H2R concept to run at the Nurburgring too. And the same goes for Honda's FCX Clarity.
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Dustin 7:58PM (7/23/2008)
The BMW hydrogen vehicles do not use a fuel cell. Not that they can't run the Ring, but they wouldn't be in the same class as this Nissan. The FCX would be.
jjpg2000 6:49PM (7/23/2008)
'never' should be 'ever'
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jjpg2000 6:52PM (7/23/2008)
opps, i read that wrong.
fizzandpop 6:52PM (7/23/2008)
Was that the sound of Al Gore making a little mess in his shorts?
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Hank 7:32PM (7/23/2008)
nah, it's just al gore being serial about the dangers of manbearpig!!!
A&W 6:52PM (7/23/2008)
Looks a lot like the 1st gen Saturn Vue in that picture.
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Torrent 6:57PM (7/23/2008)
just make the headlights a little longer and it'll be a clone.
jake 7:19PM (7/23/2008)
Looks a lot like the first gen FCX too.
http://images.motortrend.com/roadtests/alternative/112_0401_First_Drive_Honda_FCX_01l+Honda_FCX+Front_Drivers_Side_View.jpg
Yar 6:54PM (7/23/2008)
Wow, exciting. Further proof that the "green" movement sucks.
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cameron42985 7:35PM (7/23/2008)
Not so much a movement as it is our only option to reject foreign oil and calm the storms shoreside. Thanks @$$hole.
FotoGenetix 7:13PM (7/23/2008)
Nissan again rules the ring!
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PJ 7:48PM (7/23/2008)
They had this vehicle available for short drives at the LA Auto Show two years ago. The instant "oomph" from an FCV's torque curve makes them pretty good fun to drive. Imagine a V8 at a quarter-throttle, but with no noise.
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zamafir 12:06AM (7/24/2008)
x2, though i played with it a few years prior to that. kinda fun, esp the engineers telling you not to press the big red button... behind a panel. very entertaining.
Harrison 7:19PM (7/23/2008)
Should have stuck on some GT-R suspension bits. :D
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PauloBecker 7:42PM (7/23/2008)
1.3 million? I think I'll stick with the GT-R thank you very much.
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gabe ramos 11:19AM (7/24/2008)
that's in Euros buddy
After today, I can't imagine what that is US Crapollars. I am referring to the top story on digg.
PJ 10:13PM (7/23/2008)
Incidentally, way to miss the point, AB. The fact that a hydrogen FCV could be caned flat-out for 12 minutes around one of the world's most grueling race tracks and *not break*... that's the news. They're getting closer to your driveway than you think.
Back to your Playstations...
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catfish 11:38PM (7/23/2008)
kinda sad considering vans have been around the ring in less time...
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MONTE 12:06AM (7/24/2008)
Heck I would sign up to drive any car around the Ring, even a fuel cell SUV!
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