HYUNDAI broke the web when it launched the beautiful N Imaginative and prescient 74 idea automobile final 12 months; the retro-styled and hydrogen-powered mannequin provided as a “imaginative and prescient” of what’s attainable, however strictly not for manufacturing.
Now, it appears the South Korean large is to-ing and fro-ing over whether or not certainly the mannequin will attain manufacturing, with conflicting reviews – and statements from inside the firm – detailing when and the way the car can be delivered to life.
Final month, South Korean publication Cash In the present day reported that the N Imaginative and prescient 74 “rolling lab” is basically manufacturing prepared.
In accordance with the article, simply 1000 items of the car can be produced, although maybe not till client sentiment for the forthcoming Ioniq 5 N electrical sports activities automobile has been totally gauged.
However in chatting with media gathered for a web-based dialogue in regards to the incoming Ioniq 5 N this week, Hyundai Motor Firm vice chairman and head of N model and motorsport, Until Wartenberg, stated the know-how behind the system is basically manufacturing prepared, however stopped wanting saying whether or not we’ll see it within the form of the N Imaginative and prescient 74.
“That know-how represents what we may do in the long term, as it’s a hybrid battery hydrogen system with a Nexo gasoline stack inside, and naturally, we’re growing that stack as effectively for the longer term and making it (market) prepared,” he stated.
“My private needs are to see that automobile sooner or later and on the road, however it nonetheless requires quite a lot of dialogue and wishes to fulfill sure standards to make it attainable. If it does (turn into attainable), it’s going to replicate all that we wish to do with Hyundai as a model and can turn into a technological lighthouse for the corporate.
“We’re engaged on quite a lot of superior applied sciences (proper now), and the Envision 74 is simply one of many vehicles which is executing that route completely.”
However Mr Wartenberg isn’t the one high-ranking Hyundai official to trace that the N Imaginative and prescient 74 will come to life.
Chatting with UK publication High Gear final month, Hyundai chief artistic officer, Luc Donckerwolke stated that if the enterprise case made sense, there is no such thing as a cause the idea mannequin couldn’t turn into a actuality.
“I hate the present enterprise. I hate doing present vehicles after which – nothing,” he stated.
“We’re critical about this (automobile). This might come into manufacturing. Now we have the platform, it’s a motorsport platform … (however) the choice is one thing that might want to come from administration.
“There may be nothing unfeasible about this automobile. It’s pure. We’re hoping and dealing and it’s solely a matter of the appropriate constellation.”
Assuming the celebrities do align, the restricted sequence N Imaginative and prescient 74 will surely make one hell of an announcement.
The 500kW/900Nm hybridised hydrogen FCEV idea is powered by two rear-mounted electrical motors that act as a “digital differential”. Energy is drawn from a 62.4kWh battery pack that’s fed by a hydrogen gasoline stack that acts as an on-board generator.
The hydrogen-hybrid association means the N Imaginative and prescient 74 can run on gasoline (hydrogen) and electrical energy, each lowering CO2 emissions to successfully zero. The idea mannequin reveals a variety of as much as 600km is feasible utilizing each energy sources.
Hyundai quotes a refuelling time of lower than 5 minutes – roughly equal to a petrol-powered mannequin – and a 0-100km/h acceleration time of “lower than 4 seconds”. High velocity is listed at 260km/h, not unhealthy for a mid-sized coupe that ideas the size at a podgy 2472kg.
