Hyundai announced its Hydrogen Vision 2040 plan that aims to convert all of Hyundai’s commercial vehicles to fuel cell technology. But the main focus was on the Vison FK concept that features a 670-horsepower fuel cell plug-in hybrid sports car.
Similar in looks to Kia’s Stinger, it differs from it in rear doors and wheel arches. Engine noise is completely reduced as it was showcased in a virtual track in the teaser video. It has a 500kW dual-motor powertrain that the company built in partnership with Rimac Automobili, an electric performance startup. Hyundai’s $90 million investment in Rimac resulted in a tight partnership. Each rear wheel of the vehicle has a motor. It also facilitates torque vectoring around corners and during drifts. When correctly done it will accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in less than 4 seconds.
The electric powertrain is fuelled by a plug-in hybrid hydrogen fuel cell system. It is possible that the system is based on Hyundai’s new third-generation fuel cell stack. The plug-in hybrid allows charging for a not revealed amount of pure electric range. The fuel cell stack will act as the on-the-go generator that maintains charge with hydrogen in the tanks (it will have two tanks). On a full charge, it can cross almost 372 miles. Also, the refueling can be done in just 5 minutes.
Head of R&D Division of Hyundai Motors and Kia, Albert Biermann, said that the new concept is a little bit of “technical overkill”. The project is still a concept vehicle. More details on dates of production are not revealed by the company. Hyundai is currently working on the next-gen Nexo SUV. It is expected to arrive by 2023. The company will also release a hydrogen version of its Staria MPV.
