Bosch and Ligier Automotive preparing a hydrogen-fueled racing car

New BEAST - By the increasingly sophisticated technological developments in the automotive world also have implications for more and more manufacturers promoting their R&D activities. Especially in the midst of the vehicle electrification trend which not only encourages manufacturers to develop solely electric-powered vehicles, but also to think about and develop vehicles with other alternative fuels, such as hydrogen for example.

Bosch Engineering and Ligier Automotive have entered into a strategic partnership to develop high-performance hydrogen-powered vehicles called Ligier JS2 RH2. (Picture from: EnergyNews.biz)

And recently a German electrical systems development company, Bosch Engineering and a French racing car maker Ligier Automotive have entered into a strategic partnership to develop high-performance hydrogen-powered vehicles. The first step of this collaboration is to build a racing car based on the Ligier JS2 R, and powered by a hydrogen-combustion powertrain.

The Ligier JS2 RH2 is built based on the Ligier JS2 R, and powered by a hydrogen-combustion powertrain. (Picture from: DailySportscar)

Responding to the collaboration between the two companies, Dr. Johannes-Jörg Rüger, President of Bosch Engineering GmbH, said, "In this context, hydrogen propulsion has great potential, especially in high-performance motorsports and sports cars."

Meanwhile, President of Ligier Automotive, Jacques Nicolet, commented, "As a manufacturer of racing cars and special vehicles, we must provide innovation to meet future challenges in order to offer a new path for the development of motorsports and high-performance vehicles. This project is part of Ligier Automotive's strategy to become the partner of choice for automakers to integrate new energy and new technologies."

The Ligier JS2 RH2's power will be "optimised even further in the coming weeks". (Picture from: Autocar)

When compared to previous production vehicles, the car which will later be named Ligier JS2 RH2 will use a new type of carbon monocoque that has been integrated with three hydrogen tanks. As for the drive, it still uses a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged Ford 'Cyclone' V6 that, Ligier says, delivers a "very high specific output". Over the standard petrol powertrain, adaptations were made to the ignition and fuel injection system, which promises fuel-efficient combustion with low nitrogen oxide emissions up to a partial load.

The Ligier JS2 RH2 has been unveiled at the 100th anniversary of the Le Mans 24 Hours. (Picture from: Autocar)

As quoted from Autocar, the modifications mean the V6 now produces 563 bhp (238 bhp more than the standard petrol unit), and it will be "optimised and adapted even further in the coming weeks" by those two companies. Then related to the weight, the two companies also have not disclosed it, but the Ligier JS2 RH2 is expected to be slightly heavier than the conventional JS2, which weighs 1,055 kg.

Ensuring smooth combustion in high-demand scenarios was a challenge for the team. (Picture from: Autocar)

It goes on to mention that what was the biggest challenges in working on this project was ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted burn without the high demanding pre-ignition and continuous engine speed required in racing. Then to optimize packaging, the hydrogen storage system uses high-pressure Hexagon Purus tanks integrated into the car's carbon monocoque operating at pressures up to 700 bar. 

The Ligier JS2 RH2 is powered by a hydrogen-combustion powertrain which is a modified version of the V6 conventional combustion engine. (Picture from: AutoRacing1)

After that to protect it against a "failure situations", the hydrogen tank itself, the engine compartment, and the components that regulate how much hydrogen is used at any given moment are all kept separate. The ventilation system removes hot gases and cools the engine bay, with leaks in the system identified by a series of sensors. Here's a video about How do Hydrogen-Powered Cars Work? Using [Fuel Cells & IC Engines];

So far, the JS2 RH2 has already undergone testing on German racetracks, and trials will continue across Europe this summer. In addition, this project can be said to be a showcase of joint expertise between Bosch Engineering with Ligier Automotive in transferring complex hydrogen technology to vehicles. Later the JS2 RH2 will be officially unveiled as part of the 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race held in June 2023. Let's just wait for the launch (We're sorry, that date has passed......) *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LIGIERAUTOMOTIVE | AUTOCAR | ENERGYNEWS.BIZ | DAILYSPORTSCAR | AUTORACING1 ]

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