Remember the hydrogen-powered Hyperion XP-1 which made headlines in August 2020 with its impressive specs? Well, the first model from the California-based startup made its public debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show, still looking like a vehicle built by an alien civilization. The Hyperion XP-1 is still in prototype form and features no styling changes compared to the renderings we saw more than two years ago. It admittedly looks even weirder in person, with unconventional proportions, complex intakes, and pieces sticking out of the bodywork, including the Bugatti-style adjustable blades which are covered in solar panels.
The Hyperion XP-1 promises 1,635 km of range when the carbon-fiber hydrogen tanks are filled up, a
process that takes less than five minutes. The powertrain includes hydrogen
fuel cells, supercapacitors instead of batteries, a three-speed transmission,
and four axial-flux electric motors sending power to all four wheels. The
combined power output exceeds 2,000 hp allowing a 0-100 km/h acceleration in 2.2 seconds and a top speed of 356 km/h.
According to Hyperion, the XP-1 tips the
scales at 1,032 kg, which is significantly lower than most electric
hypercars, thanks to the carbon titanium monocoque structure, the aluminum
alloy suspension, the titanium-reinforced composite bodywork, and of course the
absence of a massive battery pack.
As it was announced back in 2020, Hyperion
wants to build 300 units of the XP-1 in the US, with pricing set to be
announced at a later date. The original goal was for production to commence in
2022 but we guess that this has been postponed. Last year, a camouflaged
prototype of the hypercar was tested in Las Vegas. Hyperion is already
accepting reservations through a special form on its official website.
