JCB Hydromax: The power behind our new land speed record.
20 years on from the JCB Dieselmax breaking the world diesel land speed record at an incredible 350.092mph, JCB Hydromax has set a new world land speed record of 406.320mph.
The team returned to Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah for the record attempt, where the car recorded the average speed 400.623mph in its first run, and 412.135mph on its second run. This gave an average of 406.320mph – the fastest a hydrogen internal combustion car has ever travelled.
The speed also exceeds the 303mph hydrogen fuel cell mark – making JCB Hydromax the fastest hydrogen-powered vehicle of any kind in history. Let’s delve into the detail behind this record-breaking vehicle.
Inside the JCB Hydromax
Uncover the engineering behind the JCB Hydromax with this in-depth 360 overview. From the cooling system to the power-house engine, get the inside scoop on our newest quest for engineering and design excellence.
The technology
The JCB Hydromax once again had two revolutionary production engines at its core, each tuned to an astonishing 800hp. To become the fastest hydrogen-powered car, the hydrogen internal combustion engines drove on all four wheels through a twin-transmission and clutch system – a display of real engineering prowess and a drastic step forward from the JCB Dieselmax project.
As for the other learnings in the two decades since our last world record, we studied aerodynamic developments and engineered the body of the hydrogen engine car to cut through the air more efficiently, while also enabling a more stable drive.
Every part of the car was stress and simulation-tested, with suspension components, traction control settings, aerodynamics and camera placement all being critical to get exactly right before the attempt.
The team
Much like our previous record attempts, the people at the centre of designing and building the JCB hydrogen combustion engine were predominantly JCB employees, many of which were closely involved in the Dieselmax record. We also had many specialist suppliers offer their skills and knowledge, including Prodrive with the car build, Ricardo with the engine tune, and Xtrac with the transmission.
Behind the wheel of the new fastest hydrogen car in the world was the highly experienced Andy Green OBE, who successfully piloted the Dieselmax 20 years ago. The now-retired RAF Wing Commander is no stranger to a speed record, being both the current holder of the land speed record at 763.035mph and the first person to break the sound barrier on land. Now, he’s added another to his collection: the driver of the fastest hydrogen-powered car.
The world record attempt
Testing began in the UK before the team headed to Bonneville SpeedWeek, the world’s leading land speed racing event, where competitors from around the globe gather to chase records on the vast Salt Flats.
The twin engined, 32-foot car completed the two runs required under FIA rules – one in each direction within an hour - comfortably beating the previous FIA-officiated hydrogen internal combustion benchmark of 185.5 mph set by the BMW H2R in 2004. The record is subject to official ratification by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motorsport.
The existing record for a hydrogen internal combustion engine vehicle was 185.5mph; the hydrogen fuel cell car’s record is 303mph; and the electric vehicle’s record is 342mph.
Now, JCB Hydromax has set a new world land speed record of 406.320mph.
Speed is in our DNA
With JCB GT, JCB Dieselmax, the World’s Fastest Tractor, and now JCB Hydromax, speed is in the DNA of every JCB product, and we always want more.
JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford has led JCB’s hydrogen engine project and came up with the idea of a hydrogen world land speed record bid early last year. Lord Bamford said after the new record:
“Twenty years ago we came to Bonneville with JCB Dieselmax and showed what British engineering could do with diesel power. Today we have done it again – this time with engines powered by hydrogen. This record was set by production-based engines, the same engines powering JCB diggers right now. That is the point of JCB Hydromax: it shows hydrogen works, and it works today at the highest level with zero emissions.”
Lord Anthony Bamford | JCB Chairman
Hydrogen-powered JCB Hydromax sets 406.320 mph world land speed record
British engineering giant JCB has set a new world land speed record of 406.320 mph with its hydrogen-powered JCB Hydromax.
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