gasoline-hydrogen Mazda RX8

[MSP032879]

I just read this article from cnn.com I hope it's not a repost and if it is, MY BAD.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/02/15/mazda_hydrogen_car.reut/index.html

[Antoine]

Mazda begins leasing the Rotary Hydrogen RX-8 in Japan

-AutoBlog

http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/02/jptms05_022s.jpg

This past February 10th, Mazda received permission from Japan’s Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport to begin leasing the RX-8 Hydrogen RE to two corporate customers. The Hydrogen RE features a rotary engine that can run on either gasoline or hydrogen with the flick of a switch. By the end of the year Mazda plans to have lease contracts for ten vehicles in total.

The Hydrogen RE was unveiled at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show and it’s taken 29 months of development to get the concept ready for the real world. When running on hydrogen the RX-8 will emit no carbon dioxide or nitrogen oxide while providing the driver about 107 horsepower. The monthly payment for the vehicle is pretty hefty, however, at 420,000 yen including tax, or about $3,576 US a month.

Full spec sheet after the jump...

[Source: Mazda Japan]

Specifications and lease price of Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE
Vehicle Type: Mazda LA-SE3P 'Kai' (modified model)
Overall length/width/height: 4.435mm / 1.770mm / 1.340mm
Wheelbase: 2,700mm
Curb weight: 1,460kg
Seating capacity: 4 adults
Engine Class: RENESIS hydrogen rotary engine (Dual fuel system)
Type: 13B
Displacement: 0.654L x 2
Maximum output: Hydrogen – 80kW (109PS), Gasoline – 154kW (210PS)
Maximum torque: Hydrogen – 140Nm (14.3kgm) ,Gasoline – 222Nm (22.6kgm)
FuelType: Hydrogen/gasoline switch
Fuel tank: Hydrogen – 110L/35Mpa (350 bar) high pressure hydrogen tank, Gasoline – 61L
Performance Cruising distance (10-15 mode): Hydrogen – 100km, Gasoline – 549km
*Standard lease price (Price without tax indicated in brackets.) : 420,000 yen (400,000 yen) per month

[Roywhitep5]

where would i buy hydrogen? i cant even find 93 octane

[TheMAN]

they're special CORPORATE fleet vehicles, so normal people can't buy them anyway, nor can practically afford them

besides, it's JAPAN, not america... in the past 2 years MLIT has mandated a hydrogen refueling station infratructure to be 100% in place by 2009.... so people with those rx8s can already go to a very limited number of gas stations to refuel hydrogen

and sucks to be you for not being able to get 93 octane