Driving BMW's Amazing Hydrogen 7 Series on Green Car Journal Online

San Luis Obispo, CA (PRWEB) March 20, 2007 -- Green Car Journal Online editors put the BMW Hydrogen 7 through its paces in Berlin. With a formidable 6.0-liter V-12 beneath the hood, the high style of BMW's popular 7 Series sedan, and the joy of zero emission motoring…what's not to like?

It's no easy thing to predict the future. Yet, that's just what automakers are tasked with doing as they plan their way to an evolving automotive market that promises to include cleaner vehicles and fuels. Hydrogen is clearly a front-runner as a future fuel because of all the advantages this sustainable energy source brings. This alternative fuel has widespread buy-in among auto manufacturers and has driven substantial development of hydrogen fuel cells and the vehicles that will run on them. But at least one major automaker, BMW, figures on going a different route.

"BMW clearly has its sights set on internal combustion as the engine of choice for hydrogen," says Ron Cogan, editor-in-chief of Green Car Journal Online and editor/publisher of the Green Car Journal auto enthusiast magazine. "Engines like BMW's 6.0-liter V-12 run well on liquid hydrogen, as Green Car's testing of Hydrogen 7 sedans on Germany's autobahn and U.S. roads have shown." This testing experience is now shared in a Top Stories feature at Green Car Journal Online (www.greencar.com).

According to Cogan, it's not that this automaker doesn't see the value of fuel cells. Rather, "BMW's fuel cell development is focused on using these efficient electrochemical powerplants as auxiliary generating devices for on-board electrical needs, rather than propulsion." This strategy was showcased in BMW's 740hL hydrogen demonstrator first shown in the U.S. seven years ago.

Green Car Journal, the industry authority that's reported extensively on this field since 1992, began covering BMW's early hydrogen work long before hydrogen was the high-profile alternative fuel that it is today. BMW has been working on hydrogen vehicle technology since 1978.

Green Car Journal Online offers nearly 300 features and news items on hydrogen, hybrid, E85 ethanol, clean diesel, natural gas, and other alternative fuel vehicles and technologies. The site draws on 16 years of Green Car experience and extensive archives - unique in the industry - to provide unparalleled depth in "green car" reporting. An ongoing, multi-part series drawn from the archives is currently detailing the path that's led to today's ethanol vehicles.

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So where do you start looking for the best luxury car? You should first look for dealers available in your area. If you live near a big city, you should have plenty of options for luxury car dealerships. If you live in a more remote area, you will probably have more difficulty finding a local dealership, and will need to travel to your nearest metropolis. Either way, keep in mind that it will be easier in the future if you find a dealership that is close to your home or work. It will be more convenient to drop your car off for routine maintenance or service if it is close to your normal routes.

After you have checked your local area, be sure to do a lot of research on the Internet. Look for the models that your local dealerships may have available. Consider what type of luxury car might be best for you. Some cars will focus more on presenting an aura of success and wealth (like Lincoln) while others (like Subaru) target people who want a powerful engine under the hood.

Narrow down your choices, and look at the history of the models you are still considering. It is well worth buying a Consumer Reports magazine, or the annual new car buying guide, to look at that model over the last several years. Consumer Reports does a very thorough job researching the quality of the cars they review, and you can get a lot of good information on problems that model has had through the years, as well as the positive aspects of that model.

One thing to keep in mind when choosing the best luxury car for you is gas consumption. In the last year or two, this has become more of a major concern in car buying at any level. A few years ago, it was not much of a factor, which is why half the people you see driving around today own gas guzzling SUVs. There is no end in sight to rising gas prices, so try to find a car that can maintain decent gas mileage at standard city and highway speeds.

When doing your research, look at the resale value of the car. You can get that information from the Kelley Blue Book or other sources. If you really want to play the depreciation game, buy a car that is one to two years old, where the majority of the value is already lost. You will be spending a lot of money buying the best luxury car you can afford, but that's no reason to invest poorly. Finally, consider how much money you will need to spend on routine maintenance or potential repairs. This may take some additional research, as the dealerships are not generally forthcoming with that information.

By doing your homework thoroughly, you will find the best luxury car for you. Don't buy more than you can afford, and get the best deal you can. Enjoy the ride!

Learn all about buying the best luxury car for you. It's not just about the money, it's about the image. Learn more at http://www.newyorkcarmart.com.