Ronn Motors Develops Gasoline-Hydrogen Hybrid

Engineers at Texas-based Ronn Motors have designed a hydrogen-gasoline hybrid that can achieve 40 mpg in tests, running on a 450-hp 3.5L 6-cylinder engine. The vehicle also reduces carbon emissions and is the first of what the company is calling an eco-exotic hybrid vehicle.

The two-seat Scorpion uses an Acura DOHC V-tech engine and combines it with twin turbos. The engine package is modified to use a gaseous hydrogen and gasoline mixture, and is coupled with a six-speed manual transmission and proprietary intercoolers. The hybrid hydrogen system employs a conventional water electrolysis approach to generate hydrogen. The hydrogen is added to the vehicle's intake air/fuel mixture at a rate of about 30%-40% to create a hydrogen internal combustion engine. The hybrid engine is about 30% - 50% more efficient than a conventional gasoline engine, improves fuel economy by 20%-40% and reduces CO2 emissions to near-zero.

Ronn Motors' Web site leaves out the more exciting details, such as the estimated top speed of the vehicle, its 0-60 time and its 60-0 time. The Scorpion is a relative lightweight, however, tipping the scales at just 2,100 lbs. The company expects to put the Scorpion into production in 2009, but be prepared for a stiff price tag if you're in a shopping mood. The Scorpion is expected to sell for about $150,000.

Sources: Edmunds Inside Line, Ronn Motors
Photo: Ronn Motors