Hyundai N Vision 74 First Look
Hyundai N Vision 74 Concept HFCV 25
Meet the Hyundai N Vision 74 Concept, a high-performance hydrogen fuel cell powered EV for linking EV power and performance to the liquid fuel range. Hyundai's N high-performance sub-brand has been working on battery and fuel cell powered performance prototypes for seven years now, and the project is starting to bear interesting fruit. The N Vision 74 aims to solve the biggest problem of high-performance EVs: lack of mileage. N people call it "hydrogen hybrid".
Hydrogen
When discharged, the battery will not last long. The previous all-electric prototype, the RM20e, had a range of only 25 miles when driven on a racetrack, and larger batteries could provide more range, but at a significant increase in weight and reduced performance. A modern solution: By adding a hydrogen fuel cell instead, it combines compressed hydrogen from an onboard tank and atmospheric oxygen to generate electricity and water, which is then used to power an electric motor.
With 4.2 kg of hydrogen onboard and a fully charged 62.4 kWh battery, Hyundai claims the N Vision 74 has a range of over 373 miles when driving smoothly. Much less when driving hard, as dual rear electric motors draw electrons for 580hp and over 664lb-ft of torque. This is enough to give the sleek, angled coupe a top speed of over 155 mph and the ability to hit 60 mph in 4 seconds. The company is looking at adding a front motor to a future prototype that will further accelerate acceleration times.
In addition to increasing mileage, the fuel cell cuts refueling time to just 5 minutes. Meanwhile, the battery can be charged at 800 volts, which should cut charging time to less than 18 minutes, from 10% to 80% based on modern EVs produced with similar battery technology. The fuel cell can pump up to 95 kW to power the motor or help recharge the battery.
Fuel tank in the front, talk party in the back
The fuel cell itself is under the hood and a pair of hydrogen storage tanks are mounted in the trunk. The T-shaped battery is sandwiched between and behind the two seats to keep the heaviest part centered on the vehicle, providing better weight distribution.
Regardless of the source, power is supplied to a pair of motors on the rear axle that drive each rear wheel. This allows the computer to do torque vectoring in the same way as an electronically controlled limited slip differential. This is the trick the N engineers used to achieve great success with the RM20e concept.
Keeping the fuel cells, batteries and motors cool is a very difficult task, so the N Vision 74 has three separate cooling circuits that individually service each system. The goal is for the car to run the challenging flat lap of the Nürburgring Nordschleife without overheating and reducing power.
italy connection
Nothing as cool as a number compares to the car itself. Inspired by the 1974 Hyundai Pony Coupe concept designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the N Vision 74 looks like a revamp of a 70's supercar. You'll see a lot of Lancia 037 and DeLorean DMC-12, reinforced with huge side air intakes and huge rear wing. Neither one suits a modern Lamborghini. We love the turbine style 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels. These wheels will be the widest tires in Hyundai's history. 295 for the front and 325 for the back. The pixelated headlights of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 give it a truly retro futuristic look we can't help but love.
The DeLorean bit is no coincidence. When Hyundai was unable to launch the Pony Coupe for a variety of reasons (not to mention the lack of a suitable engine, general market recognition and acceptance), Giugiaro continued to refine the design and eventually sold a new version to DeLorean. .
Giugiaro wrote in a quote unearthed by modern historians that "born from the bottom of the Hyundai Pony will be the biggest source of inspiration for the legendary DeLorean DMC-12, a production car designed to leave its mark."
Pony Car
N representatives are keen to draw a straight line between the Pony Coupe and the N Vision 74, as they did between the Pony Sedan and the Ioniq 5. Rather recently, they want everyone to know that they have a history.
“If you see a DeLorean (in this car), remember that we did it first,” said Lee Sang-yeop, president of Hyundai Motor Group Design.
The results are amazing. It's the perfect balance of retro inspiration and modern flair. More than that, it's all about good design work. All lines are perfectly resolved and all shapes and curves are discreet, not overdone. It doesn't feel awkward or fussy about anything. It is clean, purposeful and will look absolutely stunning on the road today.
in and out
Inside, modern designers say they have balanced the old and new design cues by pairing physical knobs and switches with a fully digital instrument cluster.
There are also pretty parts under the car where Hyundai is experimenting with 3D printing to reduce the inherent weight of large electric vehicle batteries. Engineers are testing printed frame braces and wheel knuckles to save a few pounds.
As for the future of the N Vision 74, Hyundai Motor said, "The basic technology can be used in future vehicles." This is not surprising, but disappointing, given the current state of global hydrogen refueling. Fuel cell or not, we desperately want this car to be produced one way or another.