Law makers’ decision to shift away from petrol and diesel cars is ultimately one that aims to solve a number of serious issues, not least reducing polluting and improving the quality of the air we breathe.
But that doesn’t mean the next generation of zero-emission vehicles can’t be exciting, as Hyundai has showcased with its two latest concept cars that have set tongues wagging.
The Korean brand have wowed petrolheads with its N Vision 74 – a hydrogen-electric hybrid drift machine that looks like a retro rally car from the eighties.
And the RN22e is a high-performance edition of the 2023 Ioniq 6 ‘streamliner’ that suggests potent family cars are very much in the company’s plans.
Zero emissions but 100% bonkers: Hyundai has set out to prove that not all electrified cars have to be sensible by unleashing two new concepts, called the N Vision 74 (left) and RN22e
Hyundai N Vision 74 – the hydrogen-electric hybrid retro drift car
Let’s start with the one that’s garnered the most interest since Hyundai uncovered the two cars at the end of last week – the N Vision 74.
Like the RN22e, Hyundai doesn’t call it a prototype but a ‘rolling labs’ concept.
While the chances of it making production are not known, the vehicle is being used by Hyundai’s development team to test advanced technologies before applying them to future models it will sell to the public.
Though there is little question that if this concept did become available to the paying customer, enthusiasts would lap up this high-performance two-door coupe.
The N Vision 74 might be a hydrogen-electric hybrid but you could easily mistake it for a retro rally machine from the early eighties
It uses the combination of a 62.4kWh battery and a 95kW hydrogen fuel cell, with power being delivered to a pair of electric motors – one driving each rear wheel
Hyundai says it develops a massive 671bhp of power and claims it can reach a top speed of 155mph-plus
With the battery fully charged and the hydrogen fuel tank brimmed, the Korean brand says it has a combined total driving range in excess of 373 miles
It’s not an entirely battery-powered car.
The 62.4kWh battery pack is charged on the go by a 95kW hydrogen fuel cell, with power being delivered to a pair of electric motors – one driving each rear wheel.
In total, Hyundai says it develops a massive 550 kilowatts of power – which translated to 671bhp and therefore allows for unadulterated power-sliding and tyre smoking not often seen from a near-silent car. It is also said to be able to hit a top speed of 155mph-plus.
A fully-charged battery and the 4.2kg hydrogen fuel tank brimmed – which takes just five minutes, like filling a petrol-engined model with unleaded – results in a combined total driving range in excess of 373 miles.
It’s equal parts radical and retro, with styling that pays homage to the 1974 Hyundai Pony Coupé – which was penned by iconic automotive designer, Giorgetto Giugiaro, the man who created the also-wedge-shaped BMW M1.
This was Hyundai’s first bespoke car that was unveiled to draw attention to the then-new car maker from Korea, debuting at the 1974 Turin motor show.
While it drew crowds, the model failed to make production – in fact, the sole prototype vehicle was destroyed entirely.
The retro styling pays homage to the 1974 Hyundai Pony Coupé (pictured background) – which was penned by iconic automotive designer, Giorgetto Giugiar
The Pony Coupé was Hyundai’s first bespoke car unveiled to draw attention to the then-new car maker from Korea, debuting at the 1974 Turin motor show. Almost 50 years later, the company has paid tribute with a modernised electric remake
The drivetrain is made up of two electric motors – each independently powering one rear wheel. This allows for unadulterated power-sliding and tyre smoking not often seen from a near-silent car
It’s very much a blend of old and new design, with the squared haunches and generally boxy panels and air intakes – which are designed to funnel cool air to the two rear motors and fuel cell stack – complimented by the same pixel light arrangement used in the existing Ioniq 5 electric SUV and next year’s Ioniq 6.
Its vented dinner-plate-like dish wheels only add to the aesthetic drama.
The best way to describe it is if the DeLorean DMC-12 was originally sketched in 2022 rather than the mid-seventies.
Hyundai has been tight-lipped out whether this will make it from one-off concept car to one of its assembly lines, though it could potentially be offered as a limited volume – likely super-expensive – option for customers who want it.
It also hints at Hyundai’s ongoing intentions to continue development of hydrogen fuel cells as well as seeing its future line-up diversify rather than offer only family hatches, saloons and SUVs.
It’s very much a blend of old and new design, with the squared haunches and generally boxy panels and air intakes complimented by the same pixel light arrangement used in the existing Ioniq 5 electric SUV and next year’s Ioniq 6
Hyundai has been tight-lipped out whether this will make it from one-off concept car to one of its assembly lines. We hope it does
The N Vision 74’s unveiling hints at Hyundai’s ongoing intentions to continue development of hydrogen fuel cells as well as seeing its future line-up diversify rather than offer only family hatches, saloons and SUVs
Hyundai N Vision 74 specs at a glance
BATTERY
Capacity (kWh): 62.4kWh
Charging: 800-V fast-charging capability
HYDROGEN FUEL CELL
Hydrogen tank capacity: 4.2kg
Fuel cell stack: net 85 kW (Max 95kW)
Refueling time: 5 minutes
ELECTRIC MOTORS
Total max power: Over 500kW (671bhp)
Total max torque: Over 900Nm
PERFORMANCE
Drive: Rear-wheel drive (one electric motor powering each rear wheel)
Top speed: Over 155mph
Range: Over 373 miles
DIMENSIONS
Length: 4,952mm
Width: 1,995mm
Height: 1,331mm
Wheelbase: 2,905mm
Hyundai RN22e – the all-electric performance family wagon we might see soon
While the N Vision 74 is very much a concept with little in terms of a short-term future, the RN22e is very much a signal that Hyundai plans to unleash its performance division on its electric vehicles as well as its petrol cars.
It previews what an Ioniq 6 N could look like, with the conventional Ioniq 6 ‘streamliner’ saloon that was officially unveiled just a matter of weeks ago.
While the standard EV is incredibly svelte, the RN22e sharpens the looks with the addition of a gaping front grille, widened arches, huge wing and a whopping-great rear diffuser.
Hyundai recently showed us its forthcoming Ioniq 6 ‘streamliner’ electric family car. This is what it looks like when the brand’s performance N division has got his hands all over it
Left: The 2023 Ioniq 6 has a ‘single-curved aerodynamic profile and carefully crafted contours’ that creates a slippery and aerodynamic car. Right: Removing the rear doors and fitting bigger wheels and lots of winglets and spoilers sure changes the look
It is entirely electric using a 77.4 kWh battery linked to a twin electric motor setup – one that powers the front wheels and the second driving the rear to create an all-wheel-drive track-focussed silent rocketship
The concept is a more conventional battery-electric vehicle – though dialled up to eleven.
The battery is a 77.4 kWh unit linked to a twin electric motor setup – one that powers the front wheels and the second driving the rear to create an all-wheel-drive track-focussed silent rocketship.
It produces 430kW – of 577bhp – of maximum power, which is the same as the Kia EV6 GT, the sister car to the Ioniq 6 when it hits showrooms in 2023.
Hyundai says it will also be capable of north of 155mph – not bad for a car that will likely weight a couple of tonnes and was originally designed to save the planet on the school run.
Hyundai says it will also be capable of north of 155mph – not bad for a car that will likely weight a couple of tonnes and was originally designed to save the planet on the school run
This angle of the cars shows the impact of its dramatically-widened wheel arches and the addition of a huge wing and whopping-great rear diffuse
In fact, the Korean brand’s engineers is using it to experiment with the component requirements of a performance EV, such upgrading the brakes to 400mm hybrid-metal discs to prevent them from overheating under high stress periods of being driven hard.
It also cleverly uses the regenerative brakes not just to replenish the battery but to control yaw and ‘corner attack’ – meaning it can slow one wheel more than another so the car turns in more quickly in one direction.
To make it feel more like a combustion car, Hyundai says it also has software built into the motor to simulate the jerk of manual gear changes as the driver accelerates and decelerates, despite the car running a single-speed transmission.
Hyundai is also aiming to tackle the loss of ear-splitting sound when potent sports cars are forced to go electric. Its solution is to pipe sounds through both interior and exterior speakers so the vehicle has a unique signature soundtrack that will be heard by the occupants as well as pedestrians.
Hyundai engineers are using it to experiment with the component requirements of a performance EV, such upgrading the brakes to 400mm hybrid-metal discs to prevent them from overheating under high stress periods of being driven hard
The RN22e also has regenerative brakes that not just replenish the battery but to control yaw – meaning it can slow one wheel more than another so the car turns in more quickly in one direction
Of the two impressive motors, this is the one we expect to see worked into a production car you and I can buy from a dealership in the future.
‘RN22e and N Vision 74 play an important role in the strategic development of our entire product lineup, especially our electrified, high-performance vehicles,’ explained Thomas Schemera, executive vice president at Hyundai Motor Company when the cars were unveiled last week.
‘Rolling labs represent the continuous development of our most advanced technologies.
‘This unique approach makes us ready for the challenges of the future by empowering us to push ourselves to the limit.’
Both RN22e and N Vision 74 – which are fully-operational prototypes – will continue to be tested by Hyundai’s engineers, with the aim of equipping future N road cars with their advanced technologies.
Hyundai NR22e specs at a glance
BATTERY
Capacity (kWh): 77.4 kWh
Charging: 400-V / 800-V fast multi-charging capability
Charging time: 10% to 80% battery capacity in under 18 minutes
ELECTRIC MOTORS
Total max power: 430kW (577bhp)
Total max torque: 740Nm
PERFORMANCE
Drive: All-wheel drive
Top speed: Over 155mph
DIMENSIONS
Length: 4,915mm
Width: 2,023mm
Height: 1,479mm
Wheelbase: 2,950mm
VIDEO
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