Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine Development
Widi Automotive has taken part in the development of a next-generation hydrogen internal combustion engine (H2 ICE) in collaboration with HUMDA Lab (the research laboratory of the Hungarian Motorsport Development Agency). The first development phase was carried out on an engine dynamometer, but - unlike typical research programs - our primary objective from the beginning was vehicle integration. Every engineering decision was aligned with the goal that this hydrogen engine will not remain a laboratory prototype, but will power a real race car in the next phase.
The base engine is a modified 2.0-liter turbocharged Audi TFSI inline-four, converted to operate exclusively on hydrogen. To achieve stable operation, high thermal efficiency and motorsport-grade performance potential, we implemented a water-injection concept adapted specifically for the unique thermodynamic characteristics of hydrogen combustion.
Widi Automotive provided full project management of the entire development, coordinating all subcontractors, partners, manufacturing activities, and technical deliverables to ensure a seamless and efficient workflow.
Our engineering team and partners were responsible for
CAD design and integration of key components, including the hydrogen injector rail and auxiliary hardware
Manufacturing of the designed components, ensuring precise fitment and high reliability
Custom wire harness development, a modular solution for the engine dyno environments
Sensor selection, calibration and data acquisition, including in-cylinder pressure sensors for detailed combustion analysis
Full system integration, including packaging, mounting solutions, routing, interfaces, and vehicle-ready architecture
Support of the engine dyno testing, where HUMDA Lab’s engineering team performed the ECU calibration and control setup
For this project, a university partner of HUMDA Lab developed a vehicle-grade hydrogen storage system to enable real-car installation.
This project represents the beginning of a long-term commitment for us: developing high-performance hydrogen propulsion systems that combine motorsport engineering discipline with realistic, road-ready implementation pathways—providing an attainable route toward zero-carbon internal combustion technology.
If your organization is working on clean propulsion, advanced powertrain development, or vehicle integration challenges, get in touch with us.
Our Partners in this project:
CAD Terv Mérnöki Kft.
Borza Tech Innovációs Kft.
Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Department of Energy Machines and Systems (EGR) in cooperation with the Advance Fuel Research Group (AFRG)