BMW H2R concept front.jpg

Some think that any automaker foolish enough to not enter the hybrid race is making a grave mistake, but BMW shows no sign of regret. The most envied company in Germany recently gave us a glimpse of its future – and possibly ours, depending on which power source fate favors in the long run – and it's ugly. But it's truly what's underneath this odd-shaped bullet that counts, and that would be a hydrogen combustion engine based on the 6-liter V12 in the 7-series. How does this sound: 285 horsepower, 186 MPH top speed, 0-60 in six seconds, and the only penalty is water vapor. BMW wisely incorporated a key benefit of hybrids – real-world compatibility – by making the engine a bi-fuel unit that can be filled up with either hydrogen or gas. Great for emergencies, and great while the world's hydrogen infrastructure catches up with the car. BMW promises that this powertrain will find application during the production lifetime of the current 7-series, which makes for a self-imposed deadli