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The Ligier JS2 RH2 will join the first-ever demo lap for hydrogen-powered racing cars at the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 15, 2024.
Date: May 16, 2024
Abstatt, Germany – Bosch Engineering GmbH, Bosch Engineering and Ligier Automotive have propelled their hydrogen-powered demonstrator vehicle to new heights, emphasizing clean energy and sustainability in motorsport. Extensive testing has honed the engine, vehicle endurance, and drive concept, pushing the boundaries of innovation while bridging racing and road vehicle technologies for real-world applications.
Dr. Johannes-Jorg Ruger, President Bosch Engineering GmbH, said, this gives us an innovative edge in future hydrogen projects, both in motorsport and for high-performance sports cars.
Performance at race level
Bosch Engineering and Ligier Automotive have recently enhanced their vehicle by boosting its power to 443 kW and torque to 650 Nm, while also improving the transient response of the 3.0-liter biturbo hydrogen engine. Extensive testing and simulations have verified the robustness and long-term performance of the hydrogen systems, ensuring reliability even under extreme operating conditions and temperatures ranging from 0°C to +35°C.
During high-speed tests, the vehicle consistently surpassed 280 km/h without any issues, indicating a potential top speed nearing 300 km/h. Overall, the vehicle completed more than 5,000 test kilometers on the racetrack under high loads, no significant abnormalities were observed. This distance roughly equals the race distance covered by winning teams at recent 24 Hours of Le Mans events.
Mr. Ruger, said, The results show that our hydrogen concept could meet the extreme requirements of a long-distance race and provide an excellent development basis for future use in racing cars and high-performance sports cars. The experience gained with the Ligier JS2 RH2, for example in the design of the high-pressure tanks and the complex hydrogen safety concept with active and passive measures, is incorporated into future customer projects of both companies.
Liquid hydrogen – first concept studies
The prevailing storage method for hydrogen in mobile applications involves storing it as gaseous hydrogen at high pressures up to 700 bar within the vehicle. However, liquid hydrogen presents a promising alternative in the long run due to its higher storage density. Bosch Engineering and Ligier Automotive are currently enhancing their development capabilities in this technology. Both companies have conducted initial concept studies aimed at integrating liquid hydrogen systems into vehicles.
In the development of the Ligier JS2 RH2, Bosch Engineering was responsible for the overall the vehicle design, engine, and tank concept development, along with implementing a comprehensive multi-stage hydrogen safety system. Ligier Automotive managed global vehicle dynamic performance, monocoque design, chassis adaptation, and the car cooling system. They optimized mechanical components for hydrogen use and led their integration into the new vehicle.
World premiere at the 24 Hours of Le Mans
After being publicly revealed last year during the centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Ligier JS2 RH2 was exhibited in the Hydrogen village dedicated to this new energy sector.
In June, the Ligier JS2 RH2 will be on track for a world premiere demo lap alongside other hydrogen-powered racing cars, including MissionH24’s hydrogen electric racing prototype, just before the start of the 92nd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans on Saturday, June 15, 2024.
Mr.Jacques Nicolet, President of Ligier Automotive, said, we are very proud to be part of the first manufacturers to see their hydrogen-powered car run on the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans track. We are fully focused on integrating new energies into the automotive industry and this demonstration lap shows that motorsport is an incredible research laboratory to develop and test new technologies.
The Ligier JS2 RH2 will be displayed for the entire Le Mans 24H week in the Hydrogen village.
