AUDI and hydrogen power are nothing new, with a prototype A1 supermini dating back to 2004. Since then there have been two Q5 concepts in 2009 and 2011and most recently the A7 h-tron prototype.

We got to drive this special Audi A7 h-tron concept at a Future Performance Event in Madrid and if the prototype is anything to go by, a production hydrogen fuel cell Audi can’t be far off.

Why? Well, considering it’s a prototype, the h-tron looks exactly the same as Audi’s sleek big coupe. Move inside and apart from different instruments – plus the standard prototype kill switch located in one of the A7’s various cupholders – it all looks and feels production standard A7.

The drive is no less impressive; Audi claims 0-62mph acceleration in just 7.9 seconds and after experiencing the way this A7 quickly gets up to speed, all in eerie silence – we can quite believe it. Despite the extra weight of the hydrogen fuel cell and batteries, it doesn’t feel any different to drive from a standard A7 either.

Sadly, despite feeling production ready, this A7 won’t be in Audi Centres anytime soon. However with us being told by Audi’s engineers that alternative drivetrains are one of the Volkswagen Groups priorities, we think they’ll be ready with a production model as soon as the market and public infrastructure are in place.

Alternative drivetrains are part of a 10-year model plan, where all Audi models will have an electric version either with mild hybrid, full plug-in or hydrogen fuel-cell power.

Other innovations shown at the event included 48-volt wiring, electronic dampers and roll bars and even a way of harvesting the kinetic power from these dampers. Plus, other clever mods to improve the performance and fuel economy of both petrol and diesel engines.

Business Car Manager will bring you more on these innovations in due course.