Hyundai N Vision 74 Concept: The Better EV DeLorean*
By Phil Royle — July 15, 2022
On the heels of its debut of the Hyundai Ioniq 6, Hyundai has revealed the RN22e concept, a thinly disguised concept that will all but certainly become the N version of the Ioniq 6 electric sedan, sans the race car rear wing. With a claimed 577 hp and 546 lb-ft of torque, the RN22e boasts a significant jump in power over the 320 hp, 446 lb-ft powered Ioniq 6. Still Hyundai wasn’t done with its announcement, dropping the veil on the N Vision 74. Yes, it’s partially powered by a hydrogen fuel cell (hence the asterisk in this story’s title), but it’s still awesome. So awesome, in fact, that it has me thinking that Hyundai just out DeLorean’d DeLorean's recent EV concept.
According to Hyundai, “N Vision 74 pays an homage to the Hyundai Pony Coupe concept from 1974, which was developed by the legendary car designer Giorgetto Giugiaro. The concept was then built into prototypes for Hyundai’s first production sports car. Although it could not reach production in the end, the daring attitude set the tone for the entire company.”
Hyundai’s RN22e is a thinly disguised N version of the Ioniq 6. That car’s alright, but what I want is the N Vision 74 right behind it.
Hyundai states that the N Vision 74 is also inspired by the Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo. That might be true, but I see far more DeLorean than Vision Gran Turismo in these body lines.
The N Vision 74 measures roughly 195 inches long, 78.5 inches wide, and 52.4 inches tall, all on a 114.3 inch wheelbase. That translates to a sports car that’s long, wide, low, and menacing as hell.
The N Vision 74 is also a rear-wheel-drive powerhouse, sporting 670 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque from twin electric motors shredding the back tires.
Electricity comes from an 800V, 62.4 kWh battery. The hydrogen system has a tank capacity of 4.2 kg and an 85 kW fuel cell stack.
Hyundai claims a 155 mph top speed with a 373 mile range. That’ll do.
My advice to Hyundai: Dump the hydrogen fuel cell, remove the wing, and turn the N Vision 74 into Hyundai’s halo car.
The curiosity in this design-slash-engineering exercise is why, given the size of the electric battery and charging advantages of an 800V electrical system (which undoubtedly shares parts with Hyundai’s now-proven E-GMP setup), would Hyundai opt to complicate what appears to be a solidly capable EV with a fuel cell? Here’s Hyundai’s excuse:
“By having fuel cell system and battery-electric powering the N Vision 74 together, the cooling efficiency is improved, while the two different power sources can be used depending on different driving conditions. This fine-tuned logic system enables better torque vectoring by twin motors on the rear, allowing a precise and responsive cornering experience. Moreover, N Vision 74 explores the balance between the performance and cooling with a three-channel cooling system.”
Of the two concepts unveiled, the RN22e is the most likely to see production. And while I enjoy the swooping lines of the Ioniq 6 and applaud Hyundai’s commitment to growing the N lineup, the N Vision 74 is my sentimental favorite. Not because of its history, but because those aggressive lines make me want to drive it — a lot.
Hyundai: Dump the fuel cell and add the N Vision 74 to your electric N lineup. This is your halo car.
(Images courtesy Hyundai)
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