Hyundai hydrogen sports sedan teased

A hydrogen-electric sports sedan is being teased as a star attraction of a Hyundai Motor Group event promoting the fuel.

Scheduled for September 7, Hydrogen Wave should also feature a hydrogen-electric semi-trailer, which is also being teased.

Both the sports car and truck are previewed in brief videos issued with the announcement of Hydrogen Wave, which HMG – the parent of Hyundai, Kia and Genesis brands – says will present its plans for a new ‘wave’ of hydrogen-based products and technologies.

The forum, HMG says, will also provide a “revealing” insight into its future vision of a sustainable hydrogen society.

The computer-generated sports sedan is shown at high speed on a test track. It is seen drifting around a corner leaving black marks from its rear tyres, suggesting it is rear-wheel drive.

A side-on close-up of the front-end shows a sloping bonnet, a large alloy wheel, low-profile rubber and raked A-pillar.

It is also shown from the rear, flashing past the camera and rapidly disappearing into the distance.

The soundtrack undeniably makes clear the use of an electric powertrain, meaning it uses a fuel-cell stack to convert hydrogen into electricity and water, the latter shown splashing over a snail track-side.

The caption reads: “Hydrogen, it’s full on towards the future”.

“State-of-the-art future fuel-cell electric vehicles – as well as other innovative applications – will be unveiled during the forum,” HMG said in a media statement.

“Cutting-edge hydrogen application systems and products from the group’s affiliates will also be presented at the exhibition, further showcasing and detailing how a hydrogen society can be formed and realised.”

The truck promo caption reads: “With a single charge of hydrogen, a long journey of freight begins.”

The close-up of the side of the truck shows “I+I HTWO” logo for Hyundai’s recently established fuel-cell business.

The visions pans along the side of the truck, showing three hydrogen tanks sitting between the wheels. The vehicle is then shown in the far distance crossing a bridge.

While it is also focused on battery-electric vehicles, with the imminent Australian launch of the Hyundai IONIQ 5 generating huge interest, HMG has been one of a few loyal auto groups that have stuck with hydrogen and FCEVs.

Toyota, Honda and BMW have also stuck with hydrogen, which has been held back as a widely used fuel by a lack of refuelling infrastructure. 

Hydrogen is recognised as having distinct advantages for electrified transport the larger the vehicle gets, so the truck teaser makes perfect sense.

But the sports sedan is something of a surprise, appearing to be a similar size to the hugely popular  Tesla Model 3.

Hyundai has said its N performance division will develop both BEV and FCEV vehicles in the future.

Hyundai does have a limited number of the Hyundai NEXO FCEV in Australia, recently adding five to the Queensland government fleet for testing.

The forum, which is exclusively online, starts on September 7, 15:00 KST (16:00 AEST), and will be livestreamed via Hyundai here. It will be open to industry, media and the wider public.

HMG has also launched a microsite (hydrogen-wave.com) that provides a glimpse of future hydrogen products and technologies that will be unveiled at Hydrogen Wave.

Following the online forum, an exhibition will take place in Goyang, South Korea, from September 8-11.