One year after its world debut at the 2019
Geneva Motor Show, the Gumpert Nathalie methanol fuel cell car has become a
reality. The German sports car manufacturer owned by China’s Aiways has
unveiled the Nathalie First Edition, which marks the production start of the
world’s first vehicle powered by a Methanol-Fuel-Cell that produces hydrogen
and electricity.
Compared to last year’s prototype, the
Nathalie First Edition brings some evolutionary changes, including the doors
which are now of the scissor type. The proportions of the vehicle have been
further refined, with the Nathalie First Edition sporting sharper front and
side lines, as well as slightly increased dimensions “in exactly the right
places.”
While the prototype featured a carbon
skin, the production model makes use of biological lightweight materials like
flax, which makes up 50 percent of the bodywork. Interestingly, Roland Gumpert
collaborated closely not only with head of design Lorenz Loew but also Aiways’
chief design advisor Ken Okuyama.
The powertrain consists of a 15 kW
Methanol-Fuel-Cell producing hydrogen from methanol and converting it into
electricity. As a result, the Nathalie operates in city traffic and on long-distance
drives without using the buffer battery at all. The overall system energy
capacity (Methanol-Fuel-Cell plus buffer battery) is 178 kWh while the system
power is 536 HP.
Refueling the 65-liter methanol tank takes three minutes and Gumpert Aiways says no special
infrastructure is needed, as the Nathalie runs on commercially available
methanol. With a full tank, the sports car can cover 820 km.
Performance-wise, we’re looking at a
hypercar level of acceleration, with the 0-100 km/h sprint taking
2.5 seconds and a top speed of 300 km/h. Two synchronized 2-speed
gearboxes and an all-wheel-drive system contribute to the stellar performance.
Gumpert Aiways will only build 500 Nathalie models (including the First
Edition), each priced from € 407,000 ex-factory. Deliveries begin in
the first half of 2021.
