The BAC Mono single-seater would be even faster running on hydrogen fuel cells than it is currently on petrol, the company discovered after some research and 3D rendering.
The hydrogen car still doesn’t exist in reality, but its petrol counterpart does (see video). BAC is now looking for investors willing to help it bring its hydrogen racer to life. It plans to build the car based on a slightly modified original chassis with batteries distributed around the frame.
The hydrogen-powered Mono concept ditches its 2.3-inch turbo engine with 280 PS (276 hp / 206 kW) in favor of multiple electric motors outputting 377 PS (372 hp / 277 kW) combined. While it could be an EV, the engineering crew found that fuel cells would be a much lighter option. The hydrogen car will still weigh around 150 kg (330 lbs) heavier than the gas-powered one, but replacing the traditional fuel tank with one made out of carbon and redesigning the batteries will help shave off around 50 kg (110 lbs) off that number.
Preliminary calculations have shown that the car should be capable of sprinting 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 2.2 seconds, which is a half of a second faster than its ICE counterpart is. Computer-based simulation also suggests it will be able to lap up the Silverstone Raceway in 2:4.3, or roughly two seconds faster than the current Mono R.
Once refueled to the max, the racer will hold enough fuel for around 250 km (155 miles) of range, which translates into ten Silverstone laps. If the company finds a way to use optimized fuel cells, the range may yet increase by a further 50 percent.