Bosch Engineering and Ligier Automotive launch hydrogen racecar
Bosch Engineering and Ligier Automotive will launch its first hydrogen racecar, The Ligier JS2 RH2, at the 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in June.
Both companies have established a strategic partnership for developing high-performance hydrogen engine vehicles, based on the Ligier JS2 R.
The hydrogen-powered Ligier JS2 RH2 will be equipped with a new type of carbon monocoque featuring three integrated hydrogen tanks. A converted standard V6 gasoline engine is used as the drive. The two companies will also work closely together to adapt the technology of the innovative vehicle so that it can already be driven on test tracks this summer. The car aims to demonstrate the potential that lies in specific vehicle developments in the areas of engine management and hydrogen storage.
Bosch Engineering is handling the overall vehicle concept, which involves the engine, the hydrogen storage tank and a holistic safety concept for the hydrogen.
As a racing specialist, Ligier Automotive brings many years of expertise in vehicle technology, engine design, and testing into the project. In the joint project, Ligier Automotive is responsible for the vehicle architecture and for integrating the H2 system and cooling system into the vehicle.
Dr Johannes-Jörg Rüger, president of Bosch Engineering GmbH, said: “As an engineering service provider, we are open to technology and see it as our task to explore the various technical options on the path to climate-neutral mobility in parallel and to devise the best solution in each case for all the requirements of our worldwide customers. In this context, hydrogen propulsion has great potential, especially in motorsports and high-performance sports cars.”
Ligier Automotive’s president, Jacques Nicolet, commented, “As a manufacturer of racing cars and special vehicles, we must provide the innovations to meet tomorrow’s challenges in order to offer motorsports and high-performance vehicles a new path for development. This project is part of Ligier Automotive’s strategy to become a preferred partner of automotive manufacturers for integrating new energies and new technologies.”