Radical Hydrogen ‘Rolling Lab’ Confirmed For Manufacturing

• Hyundai’s “hydrogen hybrid” sports activities automobile is confirmed for manufacturing.
• It is powered by each, a fuel-cell stack and an electrical powertrain. It will also be plugged in to recharge its 62.4 kWh battery.
• It is design is impressed by the long-lasting Pony Coupe from the Seventies.

Absolutely electrical autos, hybrids and hydrogen-powered machines are on the forefront of Hyundai Motor Group’s future plans. At a time when many legacy manufacturers are taking a cautious method in the direction of electrification, Hyundai’s 2024 CEO Investor Day presentation signifies simply the other. It’s not simply getting ready to launch extra mass-market EVs, but in addition flip its bonkers N Imaginative and prescient 74 idea right into a manufacturing mannequin.

Two years in the past, Hyundai President and CEO Jae Hoon Chang donned a racing go well with and sat behind the wheel of the N Imaginative and prescient 74 on the Nurburgring race observe in Germany. The automobile’s bucket seat headrest wrapped round his head to keep away from lateral motion. Hyundai mentioned it was a “nook rascal.” 

It made noises that no EV actually ought to, at the very least theoretically, and it was the primary time once we noticed the mannequin.

The idea’s design pays homage to the 1974 Hyundai Pony Coupe, designed by legendary Italian automotive designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, the person who additionally designed iconic automobiles just like the DMC Delorean, VW Golf Mk1, Lotus Esprit Collection 1 and Fiat Panda amongst many others. However in contrast to the Pony, the Imaginative and prescient 74 seems retro-modern, with its sharp creases, an enormous rear spoiler and Ioniq 5-like digital headlamps and taillamps that make it look considerably offended.

However most significantly, it is what beneath the pores and skin that makes it attention-grabbing. It is a “hydrogen hybrid,” that means has each hydrogen fuel-cell system and a battery-electric powertrain.

Confused? Let me clarify.

On the rear, Hyundai has put in an 800-volt all-electric powertrain. This contains two electrical motors that generate a mixed 670 horsepower and 664 pound ft of torque—all of this goes to the rear wheels, so it could presumably be a drift monster. The motors draw energy from a 62.4 kilowatt hour battery pack, so when that runs low, you may plug it in and drive it like a standard electrical automobile.

On the entrance, there’s an 85 kW hydrogen fuel-cell stack which will get powered by two 4.6-pound hydrogen tanks mounted on the rear. The tanks may be refilled in simply 5 minutes and that offers you a mixed vary of 372 miles. Most pace is 155 miles per hour and it could possibly speed up to 62 mph in 4 seconds. To handle warmth, Hyundai has put in particular person cooling programs for every gas cell stack, the battery and the electrical powertrain.

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Hyundai

Hydrogen gas cell programs have some clear advantages, like lengthy vary and refueling time much like fuel. However because of scant availability and restricted infrastructure, it hasn’t taken off in the identical approach as battery-powered automobiles have. In latest instances, it has proven extra promise in motorsports and the business sector, so carmakers aren’t giving up on it but.

We do not know the title of the manufacturing model of Hyundai’s radical sports activities automobile and Hyundai hasn’t launched the precise launch timeline. What we all know is that it will likely be among the many 21 new fashions the Korean carmaker is getting ready to launch by 2030. 

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