As with many other green cars, the purpose of Tiguan HyMotion was to show what is expected to happen in the future, not to show a model that you may buy.
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Volkswagen presented its interesting concept Tiguan HyMotion Fuel Cell Concept in California to prove that it has something to show in green world. Thus, after the Shanghai Motor Show and the 2007 Michelin Challenge Bibendum, the USA had a chance to see a part of the future. As with many other green cars, the goals was to show what is expected to happen in the future, not to show a model that you may buy.
The Tiguan HyMotion has a hydrogen fuel cell system which delivers 197 hp and produces no emissions except water vapour. This concept is younger brother of known Touran HyMotion. The Tiguan HyMotion concept has a fuel cell system integrated in the engine compartment. When the electric motor give its helping hand, the Tiguan HyMotion advances to 134 horsepower. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 14 seconds and the top speed is 155 km/h. Not a stellar performance, but remember that is produces no emissions.
Tiguan has a lithium ion battery with a capacity of 6.8 Ampere-hours which serves as an auxiliary energy storage device that can deliver 22kW. It is charged using well-known principle, using braking energy, or the fuel-cell. The battery itself is installed in the trunk beneath the dual cargo floor. The 700 bar hydrogen tank was integrated in the area beneath the floor in the rear bench seat and cargo area. It can hold up to 3.2 kilograms of hydrogen (H2).
For you that aren't familiar with fuel cells we bring you the simple explanation from VW. The key component of each individual fuel cell – a number of them are combined into a stack – is a proton-conducting membrane. It is located between each anode and cathode pair. Hydrogen flows on the anode side, and air flows into the cell on the cathode side. When many of these cells are combined in a stack, enough energy can be generated to drive a vehicle.
In each cell, hydrogen and oxygen react to form water on the cathode side. The fuel cell thereby converts chemical energy directly into electrical energy in an oxidation, or "cold" combustion process. The generated "exhaust" is clean water vapour. The fuel cell is supplied fuel from the hydrogen tank and oxygen from the air by an external air inlet and outputs the electrical energy it generates – the power – via a converter and a downstream electrical system rectifier – to one or more electric motors. The Tiguan HyMotion is nearly silent when driven, and it is emissions-free.
Tiguan HyMotion is a nice car but we won't waste time describing its design. The most important thing here is that another fuel cell model is presented. We see that development of alternative cars accelerates and we hope that will see more and more of them at dealer near us. ■
