This hydrogen fuel-cell powered vehicle lapped the famous Nordschleife in under 11 minutes, making the Green Hell a lot greener in the process.

But let’s start from the beginning. It’s called the Forze IV and it was designed and developed by a group of over 50 students at the Dutch Tu Delft University of Technology. Based on a Lotus 7 type frame, the car is powered by hydrogen fuel cells, which means it uses hydrogen and oxygen to create electricity to help it move.

Two tanks carry a total of 3 kilograms (6.6 lbs) of hydrogen on board, stored at 350 bars (5,076 psi) of pressure. The car boasts 258 horses on boost and an air system pushes 5000 liters of air through the powertrain to provide enough oomph. The 0 to 100 Km/h (0-62 mph) time happens in less than 4 seconds, while the car stops accelerating at 210 Km/h (130 mph). The stored hydrogen can keep it running for 30 minutes at full power and the tanks can be refilled in three minutes.

The vehicle was conceived to compete against petrol powered racing cars and to prove that hydrogen fuel cells are a viable alternative to the conventional internal combustion engine, as well as the battery powered electric motors.

To prove its worthiness, a lap around Nurburgring was the ultimate test for the Forze VI – as is mandatory for every sports/racing car to endure the Green Hell rite of passage. Nevertheless, with a former Formula 1 racing driver, – Jan Lammers – at the wheel, the car handled all 73 corners of the circuit with flying colors, completing the 21 kilometer (13 miles) course in less than 11 minutes.

Don’t believe us? Well, you should, since the time is not a very fast one. But we think it had something to do with the traffic.

Pictures via Formula Zero Team Delft.

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