Aston Martin is ripping up the record books at the 41st ADAC Zurich 24 Hours of Nürburgring in Germany next month as the British sports car brand is to race a hybrid hydrogen car.

The Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S, based on Aston Martin’s new four-door, four-seat sports car, will become the first hydrogen-powered car to compete in an international event as well as the first zero CO2 emissions sports car to complete a race pace lap at theNürburgring 24-hour race.

Working in partnership with hydrogen experts Alset Global, Aston Martin’s engineers have developed a prototype twin turbocharged 6.0-litre V12 engine that will power the Nürburgring car.

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Capable of running on pure gasoline, pure gaseous hydrogen, or a blend of both, the Hybrid Hydrogen race car showcases Aston Martin’s commitment to engineering innovation. In pure hydrogen mode, Aston Martin and Alset Global aim to show that a zero emissions lap of the Nordschleife is possible while emitting virtually only water from the exhaust.

The Hybrid Hydrogen system comprises a hydrogen fuel rail, storage tanks and proprietary engine management system. This enables flexibility in the control of the combustion process according to each particular driving situation: either pure hydrogen, gasoline or a arbitrary blend of both can be selected to ensure optimum power, acceleration and CO2 reduction.

Source: Aston Martin