Skip advert
Advertisement

New Hyundai N Vision 74 concept review

The future has arrived, and we’ve driven it. Here’s our verdict on the stunning Hyundai N Vision 74

Verdict

The N Vision 74 highlights fascinating tech progress. But in the more immediate future, Hyundai is under huge pressure to bring a car (with any powertrain) that looks like this one to market. We can’t wait.

Even if it weren’t driveable, the Hyundai N Vision 74 could just be one of the most interesting and important new concept cars in years. When unveiled, it virtually melted the Internet, such was the interest shown in this bold, retro-inspired – but also futuristic – street racer-style coupé.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Yet it does drive, on a mix of both hydrogen and electricity, and we’ve just had a passenger run in it as Hyundai’s test driver held a huge, tyre-smoking powerslide for what felt like minutes. Now it’s our turn to get behind the wheel.

But first, consider just what makes this car so special. Its design takes inspiration from Hyundai’s first-ever homegrown model, the Pony of 1974. The production car was a saloon, but alongside it was the idea for a coupé, also styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro, which never got past the prototype stage. Fast forward to 2022, and Hyundai’s designers have fused the style of that model with cyberpunk, and a look influenced by tuned Japanese cars, into a stunning shape with a strong focus on aerodynamics.

Under the skin, the N Vision 74 is at the cutting edge of Hyundai’s technology – and it’s virtually priceless. It’s a hydrogen-electric hybrid, with a fuel-cell stack mounted over the front wheels, a T-shaped 62.4kWh battery positioned low down in the centre of the car, and a pair of electric motors on the rear axle. Two 2.1kg hydrogen tanks are mounted above them.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Golf

2024 Volkswagen

Golf

65,137 milesManualDiesel2.0L

Cash £14,006
View Golf
Focus Active

2020 Ford

Focus Active

19,302 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £14,506
View Focus Active
X2

2020 BMW

X2

47,289 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £15,206
View X2
Sandero

2022 Dacia

Sandero

11,601 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £10,287
View Sandero

The really clever part of the N Vision 74 is how the two energy sources work together – sometimes independently, sometimes with one taking the lead over the other, and vice versa. For normal driving at speed, the car is usually powered by the fuel cell, but the battery provides the major performance boost, and also often propels the vehicle in an urban environment. The total combined output is a huge 671bhp, along with 900Nm of torque, while 0-62mph takes a mere four seconds and the top speed is more than 155mph.

Driving the N Vision 74, even as a concept, is very exciting indeed. Once nestled down inside the cosy, boldly styled cockpit, all you can hear is the whirr of the fans that push the hydrogen through the stack and the cooling set-up. We set off in normal mode, and the car’s shattering performance is obvious, in spite of its weight of around two tonnes. The accurate, well weighted steering impresses, too, and the concept corners flatly, with just enough body roll to hint at what the chassis is doing.

Switch to Track mode, and this largely silent coupé goes wild, with drifting available virtually anywhere and at any speed. It’s unlike any other high-performance car you can think of; it feels hyper agile and very, very sideways. Clearly, the hydrogen infrastructure must improve a lot before a car such as the N Vision 74 is viable, but this tantalising glimpse of a potential future is cause for real optimism.

Model:Hyundai N Vision 74
Powertrain: 62.4kWh battery/2x e-motors
Power/torque: 671bhp/900Nm
0-62mph: 4.0 seconds
Top speed: 155mph+
Range: 373 miles
Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £1,509 off RRP*Used from £13,195
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,739 off RRP*Used from £8,888
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £2,911 off RRP*Used from £31,499
Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £25,915Avg. savings £1,882 off RRP*Used from £18,900
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New baby Nissan Juke EV on the way to challenge the Dacia Spring
Baby Nissan Juke exclusive image - rear

New baby Nissan Juke EV on the way to challenge the Dacia Spring

Nissan to fast-track development of new battery-powered city car to take on forthcoming Volkswagen ID.1, and our exclusive images preview how it could…
News
18 Apr 2025
Future of Nissan in the UK: new Gigafactory to power bold EV plans
Future of Nissan in the UK - header with Phil McNamara

Future of Nissan in the UK: new Gigafactory to power bold EV plans

Nissan is about to go from building the Qashqai hybrid to three fresh EVs in the UK over the next three years – all powered by a new gigafactory
Features
19 Apr 2025
Best SUVs to buy 2025
Best SUVs - header image

Best SUVs to buy 2025

There are plenty of great SUVs to choose from, so we’ve picked out the very best
Best cars & vans
17 Apr 2025