GCK presents its GT with hydrogen combustion engine (video)

Has the fuel cell lost the race forEndurance ? In recent months, racing car projects favoring the hydrogen internal combustion engine have accelerated, to the point of taking over. Intensive lobbying which benefits from sound arguments: technology immediately available, reliable, at controlled cost... and whose sound is similar to that of a current thermal engine. And this last point weighs heavily in the balance!

Thus, GCK (Green Corp Konnection) unveiled, in the Village of the Le Mans circuit, its Foenix H2, the design of which was largely entrusted to its recently acquired subsidiary Solution F. The Foenix chassis appeared in 2017 and here receives a new engine, namely a 8 liter V6.2 supercharged by a compressor and developing 612 hp at 6500 rpm for 700 Nm of torque at 4500 rpm.

This block, borrowed from the Chevrolet Corvette, features a new direct hydrogen injection system, which is stored at 700 bars in a tank capable of holding 8 kg. As a reminder, dihydrogen (H2) has a very high energy density, 1 kg of this gas is equivalent to approximately 3 kg of gasoline.

If the fuel cell offers a real technological breakthrough since it generates electricity on board to then power electric motors with unbeatable efficiency, the hydrogen combustion engine solution unfortunately does not offer as good energy efficiency... but still once, its performance and sound are more “compatible” with the practice of motorsport.

Finally, the growing interest of France, Europe and manufacturers in this technology is based on a simple principle: energy independence. Hydrogen is produced with water and electricity. No more hydrocarbons or other rare earths to make batteries. The industrial fabric (manufacturing of engines, gearboxes, transmission, etc.) would also be safeguarded, with thousands of jobs at stake...

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