BMW has moved the iX5 Hydrogen programme into a fresh development phase as it works toward series production. Prototypes are undergoing extensive road testing focused on integration of the fuel cell system, high-voltage battery, electric motor, hydrogen tanks and the overall vehicle control unit, with engineers assessing efficiency, driving performance and dynamics across varying operating conditions. In parallel, BMW's Hydrogen Competence Centre in Munich has started a new prototype assembly phase for the third-generation fuel cell system, developed jointly with Toyota, shifting emphasis from earlier supplier qualification and component buildability work toward finalizing test methodology and preparing for industrialized manufacturing.
Engineering targets include acceleration from 0 to 100km/h in under five seconds, matching the conventional iX5, alongside improved recuperation and system efficiency enabled by the high-voltage battery and a central control unit called Energy Master. BMW says current testing confirms coordinated operation between the fuel cell stack, electric motor, battery, its Hydrogen Flat Storage tanks and Energy Master under demanding load conditions.
Industrialization groundwork is also underway at BMW's Steyr, Austria plant, which will host series production of the fuel cell system. Initial test benches and manufacturing equipment are already installed there, with staff training proceeding in stages. BMW describes this as a knowledge-transfer step, with lessons from Munich prototype assembly feeding directly into Steyr's process development ahead of eventual production ramp-up.
Source: Automotive Testing Technology International — read the original article