“Space technology for the road” – that’s what California-based start-up Hyperion is promising from its bonkers new Hyperion XP-1 hypercar. Certainly looks like something from out of this world too, doesn’t it?
That’s not just a baseless marketing slogan either, Hyperion is primarily an energy company with a plan to increase the adoption of hydrogen tech as a means of propulsion, and it currently supplies parts to NASA. Fair play.
The Hyperion XP-1, then, is all part of a plan to drum up support for hydrogen power, and the initial stats make a rather compelling case. How’s this for a headline – 0-60mph in under 2.2 seconds, a top speed of over 220mph, 1,000 miles of range on a single tank, and 3 to 5 minutes to refill the thing? The Hyperion XP-1 was built on a monocoque frame, using titanium body panels and carbon fiber hydrogen tanks.
Impressive, right? We don’t have any official power figures from Hyperion XP-1 as of yet, but we do know that the Hyperion XP-1’s lightweight electric motors will power all four wheels and that a titanium carbon fiber chassis means it’ll weigh just over a tonne. Plus, because hydrogen combines with oxygen in the fuel cell to create electricity, the only emission from those futuristic-looking exhausts will be water vapor.
And get this – the Hyperion XP-1 will feature active aero parts that double as solar panels. So, when they’re not producing downforce and helping you through a particularly tricky right-hander, they’ll be pointing themselves toward the sun for maximum efficiency. Sounds clever.
Inside the incredible glass cockpit, there’s a 98-inch curved display (eat your heart out, Elon) and gesture control for most features – although that’s about all we know on the interior too.
Why use supercapacitors?
Supercapacitors are smaller and lighter than traditional lithium-ion batteries, allowing the Hyperion XP-1 a curb weight of just 1,032kg. Hyperion claims this gives it a handling advantage over similarly potent battery-electric supercars, which are much heavier.
Unlike current BEV technology, which can overheat after running at peak performance for extended periods, supercapacitors aren’t affected by extreme temperatures and will deliver consistent performance. And while they can’t hold as much energy, a 1:1 charge-to-discharge ratio indicates higher efficiency.
Could it be coming to India?
While it could be possible to privately import the Hyperion XP-1 to India, our country currently lacks public hydrogen filling stations to support the car’s hydrogen fuel-cell technology. We have, however, sampled hydrogen fuel cell technology in a more mass-produced car, the Toyota Mirai.
The recently disclosed Lamborghini Sian FKP 37 hybrid hypercar also uses this technology but relies solely on regenerative braking to recharge its small battery.
Only 300 Hyperion XP-1s will be built for an as-yet-unnamed price and production will reportedly start in 2022. Hyperion is also committing to building its fuelling stations to address the lack of hydrogen infrastructure in the US.
The Hyperion only weighs 2,275 pounds – or 1,031 kg. For reference, the hydrogen-powered Hyundai Nexo hatchback weighs 800 kg more than that.
Hyperion hasn’t revealed how much the XP-1 will cost but considering its performance and the level of technology, you’re looking at $2- 3 Million/ ₹246,863,100.
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