There is a growing body of literature as well as increased demonstration of advanced hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engines. These engines offer the potential of high power output, outperforming gasoline engines; high efficiency, approaching or bettering diesel engines; and very low emissions well within the most strict emission standards. A simulation program is developed to calculate the pressure and temperature development in hydrogen engines. A laminar burning velocity correlation published previously by the authors is combined with a number of turbulent burning velocity models in a quasi-dimensional two-zone combustion model framework. After calibration of the combustion model for a reference condition, simulation results are compared with experimental cylinder pressure data recorded on a single cylinder hydrogen engine. Correspondence between simulation and measurement is shown for varying equivalence ratio, ignition timing and compression ratio. (c) 2007 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.