BMW sent prototypes of its revolutionary new Hydrogen 7 cars to NASA for testing and the clean, mean and green vehicles came out with flying colors after being graded for their efficiency.

The Hydrogen 7 is based on the design of the BMW 760Li and carries a dual combustion engine which can use either gasoline or fuel hydrogen. What's more, it can switch seamlessly between the two and deliver the same results each time.

It's strong V12 engine delivers 260hp, a top speed of 143 miles an hour and accelerates from 0 to 60 miles in 9.2 seconds. The high performance comes with the distinctive BMW look and ease of handling that luxury drivers look for.

The best part about the BMW Hydrogen 7 is its contribution to the prevention of climate change. When running on hydrogen, its emissions are essentially as harmless as water vapor.

Despite critics' pronouncements that hydrogen fuel and vehicles won't mix, BMW is going for an advanced hydrogen-gas internal combustion hybrid car anyways.

BMW's next-gen hydrogen/gasoline prototype is based on their 7 series sedans and will feature a super-insulated tank that stores liquid hydrogen at 480F below zero. It also has a special fuel-injection system that allows the engine to switch between gasoline and hydrogen.

The engine can deliver 260-horsepower on hydrogen - something only electric cars powered by a hydrogen fuel cell can dream about. The new car's high performance is complemented by its low emissions. While hydrogen combustion produces nitrogen oxides, BMW's new car has sophisticated control systems that minimize or even eliminate the formation of nitrogen oxides in the first place.

But don't hold your breath for these new green BMWs. It's not that they are uber expensive, it's just that BMW will make only 100 of these cars, which would all then be given away. That's right, all 100 cars will be given away to a privileged group consisting of yet-unnamed celebrities and politicians. We like Oprah's way better.

The BMW 7-series on hydrogen? It is a bit unexpected for a well-known luxury car to go green, but BMW seems very serious about the concept. BMW first gave a timeline for the the 745h concept at around 2004 when it was first unveiled. They said it will be in production in four years. Last March there were news reports that BMW sources said a product version of the 745h concept is on schedule for launch around 2008.

Currently, German spy photographers have taken photos of an actual road-worthy prototype in testing. One of the photos even shows a prototype with what appears to be a hydrogen cylinder in the trunk.

Take note that BMW's approach to hydrogen in automobiles isn't exactly the same as the hydrogen fuel cell. Hydrogen combustion technology does not involve the use of electric motors, and it can run on either hydrogen or gasoline. This seems to be a good move for them as cars with electrical motors weren't that much of a hit.

We'll keep you updated on BMW and their hydrogen fueled car as best we can.