1000 miles range, top speed 221 mph: This is the hydrogen answer to Tesla & Co

Gullwing doors like a Lamborghini, a top speed like a Formula 1 car, exclusive like a Koenigsegg and an acceleration that can hardly be compared: Hyperion has presented its new fuel cell hypercar for the first time, which is to be delivered from 2022.

The Californian company has been building a top-class hydrogen hypercar, mostly in secret, since 2016. Now the Hyperion XP-1, which was supposed to be presented at the 2020 New York Auto Show, was presented to the public for the first time digitally.


Five minutes to refuel

The XP-1 should be able to demonstrate a top speed of 221 mph (355 km/h), an acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 2.2 seconds and a hydrogen range of around 1000 miles (1,600 kilometers). The car should only need around five minutes to refuel.

Weighs only 2,000 pounds

Angelo Kafantaris, CEO and founding member of Hyperion, described the extravagant hydrogen runabout in a press release as “designed to serve as educational material for the masses”. It should teach the masses what hydrogen can be capable of as a drive – and that hydrogen vehicles do not always have to be heavy vehicles, as in the case of the Nikola Badger pickup. According to the manufacturer, the Hyperion XP-1 weighs less than 2,000 pounds, or around 900 kilograms.

Adjustable height

XP-1 rides on a fully independent double wishbone suspension that the company claims is made from an “ultra-light, space-grade aluminum alloy.” The ride height can be adjusted using a hydraulic system.

Aerodynamic

Active “Air-Blade” wings with high-density solar panels support aerodynamics and could reduce energy consumption. An underbody diffuser made of Kevlar-reinforced composite material and a vortex forced air inlet ensure that the air flows to where it needs to go for stability at high speeds.

Tint adjustable windows

The car has a 134-inch wrap-around glass roof with a “privacy tint control” that can be used to control the tint of the windows. According to Hyperion, the XP-1 also features carbon fiber seat elements, hand-sewn leather, a titanium gear stick and titanium pedals with carbon fiber / titanium accents. A curved 98-inch screen with “contactless gesture control” is located on the center console.

Hand-made in the USA

The XP-1 looks a bit like a more futuristic Bugatti Chiron even without the gullwing doors, which are supposed to be based on the sculpture of the “Nike of Samothrace”. And as exclusive as the car sounds, it should also be: Hyperion plans to build just 300 units of the hydrogen hypercar, which is hand-made in the USA, and put them on the streets in 2022.


The price, the sales and service structure, the performance of the fuel cells and the exact engine configuration remain uncertain after the first press release from Hyperion. The capacity of the hydrogen tank is also not yet known.

Hyperion is a technology company that consists of the three business units Hyperion Energy, Hyperion Motors and Hyperion Aerospace. All areas focus on hydrogen-based energy generation and provision. Hyperion is based in Orange, California.

Author: Nabeel K
Email: nabeel@wheelsjoint.com



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