Hyundai’s N Performance division is gearing up to launch its first battery-powered electric vehicles, but it’s also looking at high-performance fuel cell vehicles.
Hyundai released a short video on Friday showing the development of its N vehicles and introducing the first electric N model in production, the Ioniq 5 N. The short video shows an Ioniq 5 N. camouflaged, this is a sportier version of the Ioniq 5 hatchback.
More time was spent on the two “rolling lab” concept cars that Hyundai announced in July—the battery-powered RN22e electric and hydrogen fuel cell N Vision 74. Previously, Hyundai said both two will serve as a research platform for future high-performance vehicles, but this is the first we’ve seen outside of an auto show.
Concept Hyundai RN22e
The RN22e appears to be based on the Ioniq 6 sedan expected to arrive in the US in 2024, on the same E-GMP platform as the Ioniq 5. The same 77.4 kWh battery pack used in the Ioniq 6 powers the Ioniq 6. for the phone. The dual-motor four-wheel drive system produces 576 horsepower and allows for a top speed of 155 mph.
The N Vision 74 pays homage to the 1974 Hyundai Pony Coupe concept, the only version of the Hyundai Pony, which was the first self-developed Hyundai production vehicle and the styling inspiration for the Ioniq 5. The N Vision 74 combines its classic styling with the fuel cell powertrain that first appeared in the N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo, launched in 2015 to mark the launch of the N sub-brand.
Hyundai says the development of the fuel cell powertrain continued for the next seven years. In the N Vision 74, it’s rated at 500 kW (670 hp) and the hydrogen tanks can be replenished in just five minutes, according to Hyundai.
Battery-powered N models will hit showrooms soon starting with the Ioniq 5 N, but Hyundai has yet to confirm plans for hydrogen performance cars. Like other automakers, Hyundai’s fuel cell efforts appear to be shifting from cars to other use cases.
2019 Hyundai is on track to become the world’s best-selling car manufacturer hydrogen-powered car. However, it is said to have delayed the next generation of its Nexo crossas other automakers shift their fuel cell efforts to industrial projects and trucking. California Fuel Cell Driver affected by a series of power outages and risks in 2020 and 2021; that may have affected the first users’ impressions.
Meanwhile, Hyundai is testing a sell hydrogen fuel cell 500 miles in California and by the end of 2020 it had launched a Fuel cell brand HTWO aims to extend the technology to other vehicles, ships and trains.
