Hyundai N Vision 74 concept unveiled on N Day

UPDATE: Now we've driven it!

It's not every day that a brand makes its concept cars properly driveable, let alone offering the opportunity for media to experience it. But, as a 'Rolling Labs' project with a lot of production-bound tech hidden under its retro lines, the N Vision 74 is no ordinary concept – and Hyundai wants us to see what's coming around the bend. Get our review story at the link below.

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July: N Vision 74 concept revealed

Hyundai has unveiled a stunning retro super-coupe concept, that has one foot in the company’s early origins, but another firmly stepping into a cutting-edge electrified future for the growing N performance family.

Unlike the EN22e, which was revealed simultaneously at the Busan Motor Show in South Korea, the N Vision 74 is the first fuel-cell vehicle to wear the N badge, and brings a host of significant features to both the H and N badges.

Hydrogen fuel-cell technology is nothing new to the company and Hyundai has previously released two production FCEV models – the ix35 Fuel Cell and the Nexo which is still in production. Significantly though, the N Vision 74 pairs the fuel-cell with a relatively large battery for a powertrain not yet seen in the automotive world.

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A hydrogen/battery hybrid offers distinct advantages including the option to charge its 62.4kWh battery at home just like a normal EV, combined with the convenience of fast-filling when on the road where hydrogen refueling infrastructure permits.

This feature would mitigate the inconvenience experienced by FCEV owners while refuelling infrastructure is still uncommon, and the drivetrain is described by its maker as ‘the most advanced hydrogen fuel-cell that Hyundai has ever created’.

Under normal driving conditions, the fuel-cell is used to charge the battery with power sent to the wheels exclusively from the battery, but during more enthusiastic driving the fuel-cell will provide power directly to the motors in unison with the battery for a maximum power ‘over-boost’ function.

Driving range is claimed to be more than 600 kilometres, although it’s not stated whether this is the combined efforts of a full battery and full tank or just one half of the equation.

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Practicalities aside, power and torque outputs are even more impressive with more than 500kW and 900Nm sent to a pair of electric motors. Unlike other N and hydrogen models before it, the N Vision 74’s motors are positioned exclusively on the rear axle for a very driver-focused vehicle, says Hyundai N.

The arrangement not only imparts the desirable rear-wheel drive characteristics many driving enthusiasts appreciate, but enables unrivaled torque vectoring with fully independent control of the individual motors.

Hyundai has not released a claimed zero-to-100km/h acceleration claim and the combined mass of a medium-sized battery and fuel-cell are likely to be significant, but its power and torque outputs would suggest it’ll still have the pace to match its looks.

Completing the suite of supercar calling cards, the feisty concept contains its fuel-cell technology under the bonnet, while the pair of 4.2 kilogram capacity hydrogen tanks and a T-shaped battery are positioned in the middle of the car for optimised weight distribution and even more performance potential.

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Measuring 4951 millimetres in length, just shy of two meters in width and 1331mm tall, the N Vision 74 has low and wide proportions and is about the same length as the Ioniq 6 that was also revealed in Busan.

Its name is an homage to the 1974 Pony Coupe Concept that failed to make it to production, but lends many of its design details to the modern day interpretation, while the N Vision 74 also gains styling traits from the 2025 Vision Gran Turismo that made a virtual video game debut in 2015.

Its looks lean heavily onto the 1970s and 1980s retro revival movement with box arches, sharply sculpted body lines and a DeLorean-esque satin silver finish – a model that also owes its existence to Pony Coupe designer Giorgetto Giugiaro.

There are also heavy hints toward the racetrack with a massive rear diffuser, unapologetic rear spoiler and IMSA-style vented wheel cooling caps. Electric charging is enabled with a flap on the left side, while hydrogen is pumped in on the opposite flank with specialised refuelling connections.

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Hyundai’s Parametric Pixel design signatures are everywhere, honouring the promise that every electric vehicle from the brand would incorporate the head-turning aesthetic, allowing a resemblance to run throughout the family even when the broader design is like nothing else in the line-up.

“N Vision 74’s future-oriented design reflects the respect and appreciation we have for the dedication and passion that went into the Pony Coupe concept,” said SangYup Lee, executive vice president and head of Hyundai Design Centre.

No mention is made of the company’s E-GMP electric vehicle platform which might imply the N Vision 74 rolls on a new architecture currently being developed by Hyundai and if the concept makes the transition from show car into production model.

The N Vision 74 is in keeping with Hyundai’s previous RM concepts and the company’s Rolling Lab research, which uses concept and design study cars to develop new technology that will eventually find its way into production cars.