SEMA '08 Preview: RONN Scorpion hydrogen-injected supercar to debut in Vegas
by John Neff on Aug 14th 2008 at 3:58PM 
Click above for high-res gallery of the Scorpion
We've already alerted you to the existence of Ronn Motor Company's new supercar, the Scorpion. Aside from its exotic looks, the Scorpion makes headlines for its innovative engine: a mid-mounted twin-turbo 3.5L VTEC V6 from Acura that's augmented by a hydrogen fuel injection fuel system. Ronn developed a system that's somehow able to fracture water molecules from a small onboard water tank and then insert the resulting hydrogen into the air intake manifold where it's blended with the car's gasoline at a ratio of 30-40%. We suspect black magic is involved, but they claim science. Since adding hydrogen means less gas is used, Ronn claims the Scorpion can achieve 40 mpg. Plus, there's no need to fill up at a hydrogen refueling station since the car makes it own on board. These bold claims will see the light of day in early November when the Scorpion makes its first public appearance at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. We'll be on hand to ask questions and hopefully smash some water molecules ourselves.
Gallery: Ronn Motors Scorpion
[Source: SEMA]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Shipey 4:02PM (8/14/2008)
Shenanigans
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Marty 4:33PM (8/14/2008)
http://www.fuelsaving.info/hydrogen.htm
PT Barnum is doing more cartwheels in his grave now than all the underage Chinese gymnasts combined. Any idiot that buys into the "hydrogen generator" scam deserves to get cancer.
Shipey 4:50PM (8/14/2008)
Well, at least the people who keep trying to sell it to suckers looking to save a buck should.
I'll be at SEMA... I'm going to have to find these guys and ask the hard questions. :)
Bungle 5:05PM (8/14/2008)
I'm sure they've already been asked the hard questions, and have some snake oil canned answers to throw back at you.
I would take a more avant garde approach, and carry a turd up to them on your hand. Tell them it's biomass that you're going to use to power a pollution-free perpetual motion machine. Then smear it on their faces.
Tourian 4:06PM (8/14/2008)
People use water injection on FI cars now. When water is finely misted into the intake tract the combustion of the engine takes care of atomizing the water molecuoles. Its not black magic. However, it sounds like this car is suggesting something much more complex, I just doubt it and it sounds like vaporware, pun intended.
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info 4:23PM (8/14/2008)
That is not the same as breaking up the water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.
montoym 8:24PM (8/14/2008)
Water injection is used to cool the intake charge and allow for higher compression and/or higher boost when needed. Also allows the use of a lower octane fuel for the same reasons if that's the objective.
Completely different than splitting the water into hydrogen and oxygen to use for the combustion process.
Water injection is must more energy efficient as well. It takes a large amount of energy to split water into H and O, significantly less than atomizing and injecting pure water anyhow. That energy has to come from somewhere/.
While it may sound similar, it's a compeltley different approach and purpose.
Randy 4:14PM (8/14/2008)
This is the most beautiful car currently available in my opinion! I love it, hydro or not! The lines are all so perfect! Front to back, back front, side to side.
I'm in love with a car! OMG
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azzo45 5:32PM (8/14/2008)
I'll gladly sell you the Hot Wheels I have that look close to this design! A retro blob IMO... every 1st year design student has drawn/ sketched this basic concept for years.
Benson 3:23PM (8/15/2008)
It really looks like something that would have been cool in the 90's. Along the lines of some of the uglier TVR designs. I think it's not very imaginative at all.
LMBVette 4:19PM (8/14/2008)
Something is amiss in the description of the fuel system.....I don't buy it.
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mr.ed 4:32PM (8/14/2008)
To make enough hydrogen to generate any power, it will take plenty of electricity. How much power is wasted doing that? Chemists, please!
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AKSUBIE 4:58PM (8/14/2008)
It uses power that is already created by the alternator, and it is possible to introduce other sources of energy (sunlight) to increase output four-fold. when you pressurize the system, other interesting things happen. Forget fusion power, this is the future.
Nick Sansotta 4:28PM (8/14/2008)
This hydrogen technology has been available for quite some time. Google "hydroxy booster", "hydrogen booster", "brown's gas". There are companies that make kits that you can install on any car. There are also websites and yahoo forums that show you how to build your own kit.
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Bungle 4:58PM (8/14/2008)
There are also companies that make "electric superchargers." Doesn't mean they work...
Nick Sansotta 5:19PM (8/14/2008)
Do some research and you can decide. Check out the forums and read about the people that actually built and tested their own hydrogen booster. Also check out the youtube.com videos.
Yar 5:34PM (8/14/2008)
Billy Mays would love you...
Soccer Mom 4:30PM (8/14/2008)
That is truly a miracle car. It can use on-board energy to break down water and then get energy back from combining hydrogen and oxygen. I bet, if they attached a bucket to collect the exhaust vapour, the car could have been running perpetually!
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Geeky1 4:32PM (8/14/2008)
I sincerely hope that your post was in jest...
AKSUBIE 4:58PM (8/14/2008)
It's not hard to make this a sealed system. The gas produced can be ran through a bi-metal catalyst to create electricity, or a platinum catalyst to produce rediculous ammouts of heat, or used to weld, or used to neutralize radiactive isotopes. no matter what reaction you choose, the end product is always water again. It's called a molar compound.