Pininfarina, the fabled Italian design studio that was recently acquired by Mahindra, was present in Geneva with the H2 Speed concept – a high performance track car based on hydrogen fuel cell technology. The H2 Speed has been track tested by GreenGT, a Franco-Swiss company which has been designing, developing and producing clean, sustainable propulsion systems since 2008.
Developed and tested over a period of two years, the H2 Speed features an electric-hydrogen fuel cell drive chain. The result is a zero emissions vehicle able to reach 300 km/h by releasing just water vapor into the atmosphere. With a maximum power of 503 horsepower, the engine accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds. Also notable is the rapid refueling, unknown to traditional electric cars: a full tank of hydrogen can be done in only 3 minutes.
As far as appearances go, the Pininfarina H2 Speed bears traditional styling cues of sports cars, which means it’s low and wide, with aggressive proportions. At 4700 mm long, 1087 mm high, 2000 mm wide, along with a wheelbase of 2900 mm, the H2 Speed rubs shoulders with the hyper-cars. However, the overall shape is clean, uncluttered and slippery, even with two large hydrogen tanks hanging on to the sides. To avoid weighing down the side of the vehicle, the hydrogen cylinders are faired instead of being incorporated into the body volume but they remain visible through a window in the rear part of the fairing where the fuel cap is easy to access.
The H2’s body colour is inspired by the Sigma Grand Prix and is a plain pearlescent shade of white. Fluorescent touches in vermilion and acid yellow on the functional areas like the tip of the front end, the roof scoop, the edge of the centre fin, the brake calipers and the spoiler fins spice things up. The great functional and technical surfaces (front wings, tank bodies, spoiler, extractor and all the car’s aerodynamic features) are in anthracite grey. The presence of both the Swiss flag, along with that of Italy’s on the fenders, represents a symbolic celebration of the renewed alliance between a Swiss company (GreenGT) and Pininfarina.
Pininfarina H2 Speed TECHNICAL SHEET
Full Power Hydrogen Powertrain
– 2 race electric motors
– 1 lightweight H2 fuel cell
– braking energy regeneration system
Chassis
– carbon chassis
– front and rear wishbone suspension and push rod
– carbon brakes
Engine
– 2 electric synchronous motors with permanent magnet
– Max power : 370 kW @ 13000 rpm (503 Horsepower)
Energy production
– PEMFC Fuel cell 210 kW
– 2 stacks
Transmission
– Direct transmission to rear wheels (ratio : 1:6.3)
– No clutch / No differential / No gear shifting
– Torque vectoring
Hydrogen storage
– tank capacity : 6.1 kg
– 700 bars storage technology
– autonomy : same as an internal combustion
– time for refuelling : 3 minutes
Braking energy recovering
– Battery 400 V nominal
– Capacity 20 Ah
Emissions
– Air and water at the exhaust
– No pollution
Weight
– 1420 kg with bodywork
– refueling weight modification : only 6.1 kg
– weight distribution: front 41% / rear 59%
Performances
– max speed 300 km/h
– 0 to 100 km/h : 3.4 seconds
– 0 to 400 m : 11 seconds