Back in 2019 we were talking about a mysterious FK1 secret codename (take a look here) a vehicle that we can’t attach to any of Hyundai Motor Group’s brand. Now two years later we have known is related to high-performance hydrogen electric vehicle and Albert Biermann, Hyundai’s Head of R&D confirmed it will turn into a production vehicle, the question is, when?
Hyundai revealed its Vision FK hydrogen-hybrid sports car concept in disguised form at its Hydrogen Wave conference, previewing a production version of a sporty hydrogen-powered model.
As part of the brand’s future strategy to accelerate the uptake of hydrogen fuel mobility to 2040, the Vision FK is a 500kW concept with a less than 4 seconds in the 0 to 62mph acceleration and a range of more than 372 miles.
It follows Hyundai’s recent commitment to make all of its vehicles in Europe fully electric by 2035 and is a part of a wider commitment that will see the brand launch two new hydrogen fuel cell powertrains in 2030, as well as broaden hydrogen fuel cell power in all areas of the market that the Hyundai Group operates in – this includes shipping and logistics, which will be served by new autonomous e-Bogies.
For the Vision FK Hyundai has partnered with EV performance specialists Rimac Automobili (of which it owns a 12 per cent stake); the car marries a Hyundai-designed and built hydrogen fuel cell stack with a fully electric plug-in powertrain developed in collaboration with Rimac.
A future production model would be the first to use this type of powertrain – and the Vision FK will make production, according to Hyundai’s head of research and development, Albert Biermann.
“The Vision FK is one of our rolling lab projects where we challenge our engineers to drive forward, and the packaging situation of this vehicle, which has a combination of a high-power battery electric system and a fuel cell system is very challenging.
“Our E-GMP system isn’t suitable for this system, which is why we’re working together with Rimac to put all this high tech into a very compact packaging situation of this sports car. We learnt a lot and are preparing for sports cars.”
However, it’s still unknown when we could see a production version of Hyundai’s hydrogen high-performance concept, which hides a Kia Stinger by the way.
