Quantum-Jesse James Team Shatters the Land Speed World Record for a Hydrogen Powered Vehicle
IRVINE, California– Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. today announced that its advanced gaseous fuel injectors, fuel metering components, lightweight fuel storage system and powertrain engineering expertise successfully supported Jesse James in shattering the land speed record for a hydrogen powered vehicle. On June 16, 2009, Jesse James clocked 199.712 mph in the hydrogen ‘Streamliner’ at El Mirage Dry Lake Bed in the Mojave Desert, to beat the world record holder, the BMW H2R, which had attained 186 mph in Germany. This historic event will be shown as the season one finale of “Jesse James Is A Dead Man” premiering on Sunday, August 9 (10:00 PM, ET/PT) on Spike TV.
“Jessie James approached Quantum for our world-class expertise in hydrogen and advanced powertrain engineering,” explained Alan P. Niedzwiecki, the President and CEO of Quantum. “This, I honestly believe, is world-changing,” Jesse James said of the emissions-free race car. “We can’t rely on gasoline forever. I’m paying it forward.”
Jesse James’ record setting run was supported by 24 Quantum hydrogen injectors that fuelled an 8-cylinder engine that was optimized to yield 704 HP. Quantum’s patented fuel injector has been designed, tested and validated specifically for precision fuel metering and durable service with cleaner burning, dry gaseous fuels such as hydrogen and natural gas. With several years of R&D, Quantum’s gaseous fuel injectors are featured in Ford’s hydrogen internal combustion engine vehicles and Prius and Escape hydrogen hybrid electric vehicles developed by Quantum.
The record-breaking Streamliner was fitted with 3 ultra-light weight, advanced carbon-fiber composite, polymer-lined 5000 psi Quantum hydrogen storage cylinders to help with vehicle performance and drivability. Quantum has supplied some of the lightest hydrogen cylinders in the world for weight-critical automotive and aerospace applications. Quantum has developed industry-leading 3600 psi natural gas on-board storage cylinders, and 5,000 and 10,000 psi hydrogen storage cylinders and related valves and pressure management systems.
The initial development of Jesse James’ Streamliner was performed at Quantum’s Advanced Vehicle Concepts Center in Lake Forest California. This facility is equipped with all disciplines and capabilities to take advanced powertrains and vehicles including hybrids, plug-in hybrids, hydrogen, and natural gas vehicles, from concept to production. Over the past decade, Quantum’s expert team has developed and built 20,000 natural gas vehicles, 2,000 hydrogen and hybrid systems and vehicles, as an OEM, and also in partnerships with world’s leading auto makers. Quantum has designed advanced hybrid electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles and powertrains for the US Army, and for Fisker Automotive, for the award winning Fisker KARMA, a luxury plug-in-hybrid car that was introduced at the Detroit International Auto Show in January, 2008.
About Quantum
Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. (NasdaqGM: QTWW), a fully integrated alternative energy company, is a leader in the development and production of advanced propulsion systems, energy storage technologies, and alternative fuel vehicles. Quantum’s portfolio of technologies includes advanced lithium-ion battery systems, electronic controls, hybrid electric drive systems, hydrogen storage and metering systems, and alternative fuel technologies that enable fuel efficient, low emission hybrid, plug-in hybrid electric, fuel cell, and alternative fuel vehicles. Quantum’s powertrain engineering, system integration, vehicle manufacturing, and assembly capabilities provide fast-to-market solutions to support the production of hybrid and plug-in hybrid, hydrogen-powered hybrid, fuel cell, alternative fuel, and specialty vehicles, as well as modular, transportable hydrogen refueling stations. Quantum’s customer base includes automotive OEMs, dealer networks, fleets, aerospace industry, military and other government entities, and other strategic alliance partners.
More information can be found about Quantum’s products and services at http://www.qtww.com.
About Fisker
Fisker Automotive is a privately owned luxury premium hybrid car company co-founded by Quantum Technologies and Fisker Coachbuild LLC, with Henrik Fisker as the CEO. The company has backing from Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Palo Alto Investors and Qatar Investment Authority. More information can be found online at www.fiskerautomotive.com.
