At the N Day event earlier this week, Hyundai has unveiled a couple of high-performance concept cars. The N Vision 74 was a hydrogen-based EV, and the RN22e was essentially the ultimate Ioniq 6. As it turns out, neither will go into production.
Instead, the company plans to use both prototypes as ‘laboratories on wheels’, studying their technologies for future mass-market potential. The Hyundai N Vision 74 is particular was inspired by an original design study called the 1974 Pony Coupe by Giorgetto Giugaro. Its modern interpretation combines retro and state-of-the-art features: for example, sharp lines go along with smooth curves and an aerodynamic overall shape. The same applies for the interior as well, where hardware buttons sit next to touchscreens.
Powering the N Vision 74 is a pair of electric motors jointly rated at 680 PS (671 hp / 500 kW) and 900 Nm (664 lb-ft) of torque. The concept has a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) and enough range for 600 km (373 miles) of driving. The drivetrain uses hydrogen fuel cells to power its 62.4-kWh traction battery and motors. Fast battery charging is supported, and refueling the tanks takes as little as five minutes. It even looks like the car has a drift mode of sorts, although it was not explicitly mentioned.
In turn, the RN22e comes powered by Hyundai’s strongest powertrain currently on the mass market. Just like the Kia EV6 GT, the car uses dual electric motors to drive the wheels with 585 PS (577 hp / 430 kW) and 740 Nm (546 lb-ft) of torque. The 77.4-kWh battery on board is also a mass-produced example. Despite all this readily available tech, Hyundai insists on the RN22e being no more than a concept car with no future.