Hyundai reveals go-fast hydrogen sports car
Wednesday, 8 September 2021
Hyundai has detailed its new plan to bolster hydrogen as an alternative energy source, called Hydrogen Vision 2040, and it includes a powerful new sports car.
Called the Vision FK, the concept car is a two-door coupe with a 500kW powertrain, all of which is sent to the rear axle.
It’s actually a bit more complicated than simply slotting a bunch of hydrogen tanks into a Kia Stinger/Genesis G70, which the FK appears to be based on. Hyundai isn’t ready to share the juiciest details but the FK combines a fuel cell energy converter with plug-in powertrain, able to achieve a range of more than 600km.
The car is the result of a collaboration between Hyundai and Rimac which, by association, extends to Porsche, Bugatti and the Volkswagen Group.
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While there isn’t a firm date for when the Vision FK might reach production, it is still being developed and “will become the basis for mass-produced, hydrogen-powered, high-performance vehicles in the future,” said Hyundai’s head of research and development, Albert Biermann.
Biermann went on to say that, at the moment, fuel-cell vehicles can’t compete with battery electric vehicles. This isn’t an admission of defeat, however.
“The potential for fuel cell technology has not fully been deployed yet,” he said.
To this extent, Hyundai is working on new 100kW and 200kW fuel cell systems to release in 2023, which will lower costs by more than 50 per cent, reduce total package volume by 30 per cent and while doubling the current power outputs.
It also wants to achieve price parity with battery electric vehicles by 2030 and expand its commercial vehicle line up to include fuel-cell options for every vehicle by 2028.
Additionally, Hyundai is developing a ‘Trailer Drone’ concept, a hydrogen-powered container transport system capable of operating fully autonomously with a range of more than 1000km.
To do this, Hyundai created a new ‘e-bogie’, which is a fully enclosed subframe that sits under the container with fuel-cell propulsion and four-wheel steering.
The Trailer Drone uses two of these e-bogies for better manoeuvrability. Efficiency is further boosted by the ‘Cluster Mode’ which enables multiple Trailer Drones to travel together in a train-like configuration.
The Rescue Drone is a flying drone/tiny four-wheeled vehicle that can be operated autonomously or remotely to help in critical operations like firefighting or rescue work. It has the ability to ‘crab-walk’, and rotate on the spot.
The H Moving Station is a heavy-duty vehicle equipped with charging facilities for FCEVs. This portable hydrogen refuelling station ensures convenience as well as charging options in areas with limited hydrogen refuelling stations.
Finally, the RHGV, or Rescue Hydrogen Generator Vehicle, supplies vehicles in need of assistance in remote areas. It runs on hydrogen and can charge EVs with single-phase 220-volt and three-phase 380-volt power simultaneously.
Other Hyundai hydrogen vehicles include the M.Vision Pop, an ultra-small urban mobility vehicle; the M.Vision 2Go, an FCEV near-range delivery vehicle; the Nexo Minicar, a small hydrogen car for kids; a third-gen Nexo SUV; and an Xcient fuel cell tractor based on the Xcient FCEV truck.
Vision 2040 is Hyundai’s goal to expand hydrogen energy beyond transportation, including the provision of electricity and heating to buildings, urban energy sources and powerplants.