Texas startup says it will be offering a hydrogen exotic sports car this fall

Austin (Texas) – BMW’s Hydrogen 7 sedan may still be a few years away, but if you just can’t wait and have the necessary cash on hand, you may be able to buy a hydrogen car later this year. Ronn Motors has begun accepting orders for its Scorpion sports car, which, according to its manufacturer, will be able produce hydrogen on-demand from an on-board water tank.

If the Tesla Roadster and the Fisker Karma are too generic for you, there may be another choice this fall: Texas startup Ronn Motors unveiled its Scorpion yesterday.

The sports car does not follow the current hybrid/electric trend, but will use hydrogen as a fuel source. According to its manufacturer, the Scorpion is powered by a gasoline/hydrogen fuel blend, with 30-40% of the mix consisting of hydrogen. What makes this car especially interesting is the fact that you don’t need to fin hydrogen on the side of the road, water is enough.

Ronn Motors said that the Scorpion can produce hydrogen on demand by fracturing water molecules drawn from a small on board water tank. As a result, the car will not need a high pressure, on board hydrogen storage tank. The manufacturer promises that the car will hit about 40 mpg.

The engine used in the Scorpion is based on the unit used by Acura in its 2008 Acura TL-S sedan, rated at 289 hp in the Scorpion. Ronn Motors will offer a twin-turbo option of the powerplant offering about 450 hp. The 2100-pound car is expected toa ccelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.2 – 3.5 seconds while the quarter mile test is promised to come in in the mid 10s at 130 mph. The car will be initially available with a 6-speed manual, with a 6-speed automatic following in 2009, the company said.

Since it is described as an exotic sports car, yes it has a limited production run (no numbers mentioned yet) and it comes with a hefty price tag: $150,000.