Hydrogen is the future of motoring

Just a quick question, what sort of noise do these make, can you get decent engine sounds from a hydrogen car?

An internal combustion engine run on hydrogen would sound substantially the same as one run on LPG or petrol. But that's a really inefficient way of using it. A fuel cell is silent, you would just have the whine of electric motors.

People always live where they can afford to live.

City workers living in the countryside is a very recent social change that is only possible because of fast and affordable personal transport of the last 50 years.

It's easy enough to reverse if the need arose to do so. It isn't a hurdle just a change.

It would have significant negative impacts on almost everyone's quality of life. Heavy populated areas would get even more densely populated, rural areas would be destroyed in economic terms.

They make a sound a bit like a mini jet engine under load when the fuel cell kicks in, which is basically a compressor forcing air into the fuel cell

I hate to disagree, however I would argue that we haven't come that far in the past 20 years. You note what the Sierra did not have, though many possessed ABS and electric windows, but let's look at what was present.

A decent 1992 spec had a sensibly sized straight four with double overhead cams, a five speed 'box and independent suspension all round. In addition there were disc brakes, a heated windscreen and sunroof. I think you could even get a CD player and air conditioning if you spent enough.

Technically speaking the engine seems out-moded but there was fully electronic multi point injection that adapted to the driving conditions in real time. It was EEC-III (if memory serves) compliant so featured a three way catalytic converter with open and closed loop modes controlled by a HEGO sensor. If I recall there was a distributor driven by the camshaft sprocket but this would again have electronic over-rides as opposed to mechanical advance.

Rewind 20 years further to 1972 and you'd be driving a Mk3 Cortina 2000 GXL. It was nice looking, but the options list in those days centred on chrome embellishments and extra ashtrays. In terms of technology it was prehistoric. These were the days when coil springs at the back were considered a quantum leap forwards. The engine was a fully mechanical single cam, there was a four speed box and live axle.

Things really shot ahead from 1970 to 1990. If anything development has slowed slightly since then.

Oh god yeah,other than:

Direct injection, dual varriable cam phasing, multi mode intake manifolds, returnless fuel systems, coil on plug ignition, electric water pumps, variable displacement oil pumps, cylinder deactivation, dual lift camshafts, electronic throttles, STOP-START, active engine mounts, high speed knock control, high speed digital engine electronics and control, high boost turbocharging systems, compound turbo charging systems, variable geometery turbocharging systems, Antilock brakes with full stability control, traction control, multiratio manual transission systems with triple cone syncomesh, DMF's active torque management, active exhaust systems, high intensity gas discharge or LED lighting, active damping, pre emptive safety systems, mulriple airbags front rear and side, seat belt pre tensioners, active steering, DSC and automatic transmissions systems integrated with chassis dynamic and torque control systems, electronic torque apportioning, active differentials, SAT NAV, multi zone HVAC, multi source ICE and in car multimedia systems, dual view screen technology, ultrasonic parking sensors, self parking systems, emergency braking systems, radar guidance and alert, lane depature warning systems, Blind spot warning systems, automatice air conditiong and cabin conditioning, keyless start, convienance entry, low friction suspension systems, ceramic and low mass steel brake systems, High compliance suspension bushes, run flat tyres, in car telephony, voice activation, driver assist systems, emergency alert systems, automatic wash wiper, auto dimming rear view mirrors, mutli adjustable seating systems with lumbar and anti submarining tech, Ultra high pressure diesel common ral systems, DPF's, sequential turbocharged diesels, peizo injectors, active torque oscilation control, High strength high stiffness bodyshells, multi layer cabin NVH optimisation systems including passive mass dampers and active cabin noise control, Pedestrian protection systems such as deployable bonnet systems, metal folding hard tops, panoramic sunroofs with electro comatic coatings, Smart alternators with regen capability, high voltage hybrid powertrains with electric drive modes, series hybrids, parallel hybrids, pure electric and range extended vehicles, highly optimised suspension kinematics, energy absorbing crumple zones, alluminium low mass components, composite body parts and carbon fibre production body shells and monocoques, active aerodynamics (spoilers, radiator grills, splitters etc), head up displays, single point control input devices (Idrive etc), ultra fuel efficient low friction downspeeded powertrain systems, low rolling friction tyres, optimised aero drag, optmised aero downforce, etc etc etc


But other than that, yup, those OEMS have really been resting on their laurels over the last 20 years or so................. ;-)