Hydrogen BMW rolls out in 2007

• Hydrogen-powered 7 Series arrives next year
• Car uses adapted 6.0-litre V12 with 260bhp
• Around 100 to be rented at a cost of more than £80,000

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BMW will begin rental trials of a hydrogen-powered 7 Series from early next year.

The new 7 can run on hydrogen or petrol, and makes good BMW's promise that a gas-powered version of the car would become available during the current model's lifespan.

However, only around 100 cars will be offered to selected customers in North America, Europe and Japan at a price comparable to today's top-of-the-range £81,605 760Li.

The car uses the existing 6.0-litre V12 engine from the range, but power output drops by 185bhp to 260bhp. BMW says the car will still accelerate from 0-62mph in 9.5sec, however, with a top speed of 143mph.

The BMW's cruising range is put at 125 miles using hydrogen, or 300 miles using petrol.