JCB Hydromax Tops 400 MPH in Record-Breaking Run
JCB’s Hydromax has broken the 400-mph mark at the Bonneville Salt Flats, averaging 406.320 mph and setting a new world land speed record for a hydrogen internal combustion car.
Andy Green drove the car on both runs, returning to Bonneville nearly 20 years after setting a land speed record there for JCB. The 32-foot-long, twin-engine car recorded 400.623 mph on the first pass and 412.135 mph on the second.
The two-run average came to 406.320 mph, although the record still must be ratified by the FIA. The result more than doubles the previous FIA-recognized record for a hydrogen internal combustion car, set by the BMW H2R in 2004 at 185.5 mph.
Two Hydrogen Digger Engines
The car gets its 1,600 bhp from two hydrogen digger engines built at JCB’s Foston, Derbyshire, engine facility. The same engines are also used in JCB construction equipment. They produce no CO₂ emissions when running on hydrogen.
Faster Than JCB’s Diesel Record
The Hydromax also surpassed JCB’s own diesel land speed record. In 2006, Dieselmax reached 350.092 mph at Bonneville.
Andy Green also holds the world land speed record at 763.035 mph and is the only person to have broken the sound barrier on land.
Before setting the 406.320-mph record, the car reached 368.347 mph during Bonneville Speed Week in the Southern California Timing Association’s Blown Gas Streamliner class.
