Remember the Hyundai N Vision 74? When it was first unveiled back in 2022, we called it the “DeLorean reboot that we never got”. And at that time at least, it appears it was also just a concept vehicle that we’ll probably never get.
That has remained true for the past two years, despite several rumours indicating that it’ll go into production. But now, it seems that’s all about to change as Hyundai has essentially confirmed an eventual production version of the N Vision 74.
During the marque’s recent 2024 CEO Investor Day presentation, the company namechecked the N Vision 74 in a slide detailing its plans for 21 EV models by 2030, listing it under the “High-performance EV” segment alongside the Genesis Magma models.
While executives made no mention of the model in their speeches, the inclusion of other products like the Casper “affordable EV”, mass-market EVs such as the Hyundai Ioniq range, as well as the luxury line-up from Genesis, does at least lend some credence to the ‘rumour’, even though no other details were provided.
When the Hyundai N Vision 74 concept was first unveiled two years ago, it was imagined as a hydrogen-battery hybrid, powered by two electric motors on the rear wheels making some 680 hp and 900 Nm of torque.
Given that it was listed in the slide for Hyundai’s future EV line-up, we presume that the hydrogen-based powertrain will be removed for a more “traditional” battery EV setup with bigger battery packs – since 2030 is just about five years away from now, and well, there still aren’t many commercialised hydrogen fuel stations in the world just yet. That said, a lot can still happen in five years.
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But really, with a car that looks like that, nobody would really care if it’s hydrogen-powered or not – and especially so if it has an electric powertrain akin to that of the Ioniq 5 N. It’s based on the Pony Coupe concept from 1974, although most people will probably associate it more with the DMC DeLorean, since Giorgetto Giugiaro recycled many of the design touches into the Back to the Future hero car after the original Korean concept was shelved.
The resemblance is uncanny, with its rectangular lights, straight boxy body lines, and most notably the iconic wedge shape that Giugiaro really, really appreciated (see: BMW M1, Lotus Esprit). It’s definitely grown up a little, though, with its big rear wing and modern light signatures; the original design is now 50-years old, after all.
Aside from EVs, Hyundai also talked about their plans to expand its hybrid and range-extender EV line-up during the 2024 CEO Investor Day. The company expects to raise its EV sales up to two million per year globally by 2030, out of its 5.55 million total target.
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