JCB Plans New Land Speed Record with Hydrogen Car
JCB has announced its intention to set a new world land speed record with a hydrogen-powered car, marking 20 years since the company broke the diesel land speed record.
The Staffordshire-based manufacturer and construction equipment maker revealed the plans for the JCB Hydroxmax at its headquarters in Rocester on Tuesday.
The company's Dieselmax, driven by RAF Wing Commander Andy Green OBE, set the diesel engine land speed record in 2006, achieving a speed of 350.092 mph.
Development of Hydrogen Engines
Lord Bamford, JCB Chairman, commented on the project:
"Nobody has actually taken our world record for diesel and we wondered whether we might be able to do the same and take our own record, with a hydrogen engine."
"Starting with our diesel engine, we have developed engines which run on hydrogen. They are hydrogen engines."
The new Hydroxmax car, which will also be driven by the now-retired Andy Green, is powered by two four-cylinder engines producing a combined 800 horsepower.
A company spokesperson explained that in the effort to become the "fastest hydrogen-powered car," the vehicle's hydrogen internal combustion engines will power all four wheels through a twin-transmission and clutch system.
Goals and Technical Details
Lord Bamford told the BBC that the company aims to surpass its diesel land speed record.
"[In] 2006, we built our first streamliner. And we ended up with the world land speed record for diesel cars, which still stands at 350.01 mph,"
"20 years later, we have been heavily involved in developing hydrogen engines. Why hydrogen? Mainly because of emissions.
"There's an enormous push in the world to try and reduce emissions which of course [can] cause all sorts of problems in the bigger world."
He described the Hydroxmax as a "beautifully designed car" with significant power, noting that the engines are slanted rather than vertical to reduce the car's height, which aids speed and acceleration.
"The engines run on hydrogen extremely well," he said. "Ultimately, it can replace other forms of fuel."
Regarding the possibility of beating the diesel record with hydrogen, he added:
"I would be very happy if we could be 5% more than our previous record.
"If we get it, it will be an accolade for engineering and for our company."
Driver's Perspective
Andy Green expressed confidence in the JCB Hydroxmax's capabilities, stating it is "better" than the Dieselmax and that he would be "amazed" if it did not break the record.
"The JCB Diesel car 20 years ago was the most extraordinary straight-line racing vehicle I have ever seen, that's the reason it's still, by a long way, the fastest diesel car in history,"
"The [hydrogen] car is lighter than the previous one, it is more aerodynamic than the previous car, it has more power than the previous car. In every key area, it is expected to out-perform,"
"So are we going to make 350mph? Absolutely, I'll be amazed if we don't."
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