French racing driver Olivier Lombard has
presented the Hopium Māchina, which aims to become the world’s first
hydrogen-powered luxury car. Billed as a “real technological breakthrough,” the
Māchina is a sleek sedan that features distinctive headlights, a protruding
nose and a mesh-style lower intake.
The avant-garde styling continues further
back as the model has flowing bodywork, aerodynamic wheels and what appears to
be flush-mounted door handles. The Māchina also has a rakish windscreen,
muscular rear haunches, a panoramic glass roof and what we presume are video
camera side mirrors. The rear end features a recessed trunk that resides above
a ventilated fascia. The model also has stylish taillights and vents which
likely prevent air from building up in the rear wheel wells.
Little is known about the car at this
point, but Hopium said it will have 493 hp and a range of 1,000 km. Since it runs on hydrogen, the refueling process is only
slated to take three minutes. The company also said the Māchina will be carbon
neutral and combine “performance, connectivity, safety and ergonomics.” Hopium
went on to say the model will have “unique luxury and a sporty interior design.”
The company’s first prototype is set to be
unveiled within a year and production is slated to begin by 2026. That’s a ways
off, but Hopium said the Māchina will be built in France and offered in a
variety of markets including China, Europe, Japan, South Korea and the United
States. Additional details are limited, but Lombard founded the Hydrogen Motive
Company earlier this year and Hopium is their automobile division. HMC aims to
become a leader in hydrogen technology and plans to “get involved in innovative
projects that will lead to a hydrogen-based society.” Part of this effort
includes the launch of Hopium which they billed as their “first defining step.”
