Automotive giant BMW has gone some way to proving that hydrogen fuel compromises nothing in performance after setting nine new records for hydrogen-driven cars with combustion engines.

BMW achieved its record-breaking performances at a high-speed testing ground in France, where its H2R prototype reached 300 km/h in less than 12 seconds.

Professor Burkhard Goschel, board member of the BMW Group, hailed the performance of the hydrogen vehicle.

"Nine records marking the start into the hydrogen age. BMW technology has already come a long way. Now, together with politicians and the energy industry, we must turn our vision of sustained mobility into reality,” he said.

BMW's hydrogen combustion engine boasts the most up-to-date technologies, including its fully variable Valvetronic valve drive, but the fuel injection system has been adapted to the special features and requirements of hydrogen.

The hydrogen combustion engine is based on the petrol power unit featured in the BMW 760i. The group is set to introduce a dual-mode version of the current 7 Series, which will be the first car of its kind able to run on both hydrogen and petrol.

The H2R will be officially unveiled at the 2004 Mondial de l'Automobile in Paris from 23rd September to 10th October.