[Cartoday]
Further evidence that eco-friendly cars need not wear ‘econo-box’ sheet metal will roll into this year’s SEMA show in the shape of the hydrogen-powered Ronn Scorpion.
Touted as a ‘hydrogen-hybrid supercar’ by its Texas-based Ronn Motor Company (RMC) creators, the Scorpion will attribute much of its curvaceous styling to the renowned hot-rod specialists Gaffoglio Family Metalcrafters, who will also play a part in fabricating its advanced composite body and aluminium chassis.
The car is powered by a Honda-sourced 3,5-litre V6 engine mated with a six-speed manual gearbox and its engineers have taken a leaf out of BMW’s book by applying a system similar to that seen in the Hydrogen7 saloon.
The powerplant comprises a conventional internal combustion engine that has been converted to run on a mixture of petrol and hydrogen in a respective 70/30 ratio.
A company by the name of Hydrorunner has created a new fuel-delivery system with special injectors for the flow of hydrogen as well as an onboard system to create the fuel.
This system uses electrolysis from energy generated by the car’s alternator to split water molecules fed from an onboard tank to create hydrogen.
This allows the Scorpion to overcome two of the greatest hurdles faced by hydrogen powered vehicles – it doesn’t need a pressurized storage tank for a volatile fuel such as hydrogen and, therefore, doesn’t rely on a hydrogen refueling infrastructure.
By burning a combination of petrol and hydrogen, the Scorpion’s emissions comprise considerably less CO2 than that of a conventional engine and only trace amounts of NOx (oxides of nitrogen).
So, it meets the eco-friendly proviso, but how does it perform? A top speed figure has not yet been announced, however, early indications suggest that the hybrid powerplant is capable of propelling the 953 kg car from 0-100 km/h in as little as 3,5 seconds.
Startling performance, when you consider this car’s engine is capable of returning less than 5,8-litres/100 km.More details surrounding this eco-warrior will emerge closer to its SEMA unveiling in Las Vegas in November.