- Hyundai will build a production version of the N Vision 74 concept, per a report by Korean news outlet Money Today.
- The company will reportedly confirm the plans and reveal the mass-production model on May 27.
- Part hydrogen fuel-cell, part electric hybrid, the N Vision 74 concept is a 670-hp rear-drive sports car revealed last year to critical acclaim.
One of the coolest concept cars in recent history could be making its way to production. The Hyundai N Vision 74 concept was an instant hit when it was revealed last year as part of the automaker’s “N Day” event held in South Korea. A report today by a Korean news outlet claims Hyundai has greenlit the concept for production, and that the company will make an official announcement on May 27.
Money Today published the report on its website but didn’t cite any specific sources, which obviously leads some (including us) to question the veracity of the information. However, considering the critical acclaim from enthusiasts and media alike that the N Vision 74 received, we’re not completely surprised that a mass-production model is on the table. It would almost certainly look a lot like the concept, which featured a wedge-like body that was inspired by the 1974 Hyundai Pony Coupe concept that was penned by famed designer Giorgetto Giugiaro. But the bigger question is what type of powertrain it might use.
The N Vision 74 concept debuted as a “rolling lab” test bed for Hyundai’s N performance division to explore future powertrain development. The 670-hp hybrid EV is powered by two rear-mounted electric motors that act as a “virtual differential.” Those motors are fed by a 62.4-kWh battery pack, which itself is fed by a hydrogen fuel-cell that acts as an on-board generator for extended range. We were even lucky enough to drive one of the concept cars, where we got to feel its relentless acceleration and impressive agility.
At the end of that drive, we came away not expecting Hyundai to build a production version of the N Vision 74, at least not one that uses the brand’s E-GMP architecture that underpins the new Ioniq 6 sedan as well as other electric Kia and Genesis models. We spoke to Albert Biermann about it at the time, and the former Hyundai-Kia R&D boss turned executive technical advisor told Car and Driver, “It is hard for me to see us doing it; at this moment we don’t need such a car.“
On the other hand, Till Wartenberg—Hyundai’s vice president of N brand management and motorsport—more recently made comments to The Autopian expressing his hope to put the retro-styled two-seater into production. Obviously, Wartenberg’s words shouldn’t be misconstrued as a confirmation. Instead, his statement and the news today out of Korea simply makes us hopeful that those in charge at Hyundai will make the concept a reality, and we might find out when the calendar hits May 27.
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Senior Editor
Eric Stafford’s automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual ’97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a ’90 Honda CRX Si.
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