Gaussin has unveiled the H2, a sports vehicle running on hydrogen power and set to debut at the nearest Dakar Rally. The model will then spawn a whole lineup of road-legal commercial vehicles based on the same chassis.
The company says it designed the platform on its own, but asked Pininfarina to perfect the exterior. Given its ultra-lightweight chassis, the vehicle should have no trouble veering off the trodden path – but specific numbers weren’t discussed.
Power comes from two electric motors rated at 408 PS (402 hp / 300 kW) each and an 82-kWh traction battery. The capacity of the battery might not seem that much when considered alone, but add to it 80 kilograms (176 lbs) of hydrogen in the tanks, and you’ve got a rather capable car for traveling. In rally mode, the Gaussin H2 can do up to 250 km (155 miles) at a top speed of 140 km/h (87 mph). Normal use on the streets yields around 800 km (500 miles) of range from the same amount of fuel. Replenishing the hydrogen and recharging the battery takes only 20 minutes.
Gaussin intends to design an all-electric variant of the H2, which would be able to make around 400 km (250 miles) on a charge and have its batteries swapped out for full ones in three minutes.
Road-legal LCV production is scheduled for 2022. Participation in the Dakar Rally should both test the vehicle in extreme conditions and introduce it to a wider audience.