Taking a different approach to "hybrids," BMW brought its internal combustion powered BMW Hydrogen 7 to our Future of the Car event last Friday. The Hydrogen 7 carries both hydrogen and gasoline, and it can run on either.

This luxurious, alternative-fuel sedan has the advantage of utilizing well-developed internal combustion technology and existing gasoline infrastructure. The cryogenically insulated liquid hydrogen tank holds 8 kg of hydrogen, enough to go 125 miles. An additional 19-gallon fuel tank gives a range of 300 miles on gasoline.

Burning hydrogen in an internal combustion engine is not as efficient as producing electricity in a fuel cell. And BMW spokesman Tom Plucinsky concedes that the company sees hydrogen internal combustion as an interim technology. He also claims that hydrogen internal combustion is more compatible with a sporty driving experience than a fuel cell vehicle would be. However, judging by my brief drive, the Hydrogen 7’s sluggish acceleration doesn’t live up to BMW’s performance reputation.

The company has a fleet of 10 Hydrogen 7s in the United States, and it is loaning them to celebrities and opinion makers to make the case for building hydrogen filling stations.

On a rain-soaked lap of our Auto Test Center, the Hydrogen 7 felt almost exactly like driving any other 7 Series – only slower. A button on the steering wheel switches from gasoline to hydrogen, with a notable increase in engine clatter, which BMW claims is from the unique hydrogen fuel injectors.

CR’s Senior Test Director David Champion had a chance more a more extensive drive in the Hydrogen 7 last year in Los Angeles. Read his first impressions.

—Eric Evarts