Hyperion XP-1: 1,600 km of range for a hydrogen-powered supercar

Some of the lines of its bodywork might make us think of a reinterpretation of a Bugatti Chiron, but nothing could be further from the truth. The Hyperion XP-1 has a personality of its own. And not only in terms of design.

To put things in context, it’s worth knowing that Hyperion is a relatively young technology company. It was founded in 2011 and comprises three divisions: Hyperion Energy, Hyperion Motors and Hyperion Aerospace. In every case, its projects and operations are based on hydrogen. It is headquartered in California and aims to revolutionise the transport world, both on the road and in space, by popularising the use of hydrogen as an energy source.

Ten years of development for a unique supercar

And what better way to make some noise and get noticed than with a project like the Hyperion XP-1? Although it has taken some doing: ten years of development, research and testing, according to the company.

Since we first learned of the Hyperion XP-1 through the initial teasers, we remained somewhat sceptical. Now that we’ve been able to see it in a full set of images, and some of its features have been confirmed, we are a little less so. So much so that, for a moment, we even wondered which supercar announcement in recent times has excited us most: the one for the Gordon Murray T.50, for what it represents in engineering terms, or this XP-1 for its determined commitment to the hydrogen car.

We will wait to see if the launch is indeed confirmed for 2022, as you can see in the photos. That “sharp” front end will not have an easy time passing pedestrian impact and crash tests in more than one market. Either way, there is already talk of a limited production run of 300 units, with a price yet to be defined but which, as you can imagine, will not be cheap.

For now, you can take in the design of the Hyperion XP-1, which leaves no one indifferent, both in the images and in this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wfq5uN9LCak&feature=emb_logo

Undoubtedly, the gull-wing doors, the wraparound glass roof or the design of the LED headlights are features that would stand out on any other car, but on the Hyperion XP-1 they take a back seat to the active side fans to improve cornering speed (we don’t yet know how), or the Kevlar rear diffuser with a double vertical exhaust outlet that should only expel water vapour.

The Hyperion XP-1’s wheels, fitted with Pirelli P Zero tyres, are 20 inches at the front axle and 21 inches at the rear, and conceal carbon-ceramic discs. Inside, of which not many details are known, Hyperion boasts a dashboard dominated by the largest curved screen you have ever seen in a car, a full 98 inches. Carbon fibre and titanium are materials used extensively.

From 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.2 seconds, 1,600 km of range

What Hyperion has not yet revealed are the technical specifications of the XP-1. We know it uses a fuel cell powered by hydrogen, to generate the on-board electricity that will feed the electric motors driving the vehicle.

It will have four-wheel drive, so it will have at least one motor per axle. There is also talk of a new supercapacitor technology. But not a single figure on final power output, which will be considerable given the announced performance, although the carbon fibre and titanium monocoque will leave the weight slightly above 1,000 kg, another figure we would, for now, take with a pinch of salt.

The truth is that Hyperion announces a top speed of over 350 km/h, and 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) acceleration in under 2.2 seconds. And the best part: with a range of 1,000 miles, more than 1,600 km, and able to recharge… in less than 5 minutes.

If cars like the Hyperion XP-1 become reality and deliver on their promises, there is no doubt that hydrogen is the future.

Hyperion XP-1 image gallery