Hyperion XP-1 - The Hydrogen-Powered Supercar

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Hyperion XP-1 hydrogen-powered supercar revealed

American technology start-up promises 1000-mile range and 0-60mph in 2.2sec from fuel cell EV

American start-up Hyperion has unveiled the XP-1 hydrogen electric supercar, which it claims offers 1000 miles of range between refills.

Announced as part of a plan to increase wider adoption of hydrogen technology across the automotive industry, the two-seat XP-1 combines hydrogen fuel cells with supercapacitor storage to power multiple electric motors. Drive is sent to all four wheels, and although performance details are limited, the company claims it will be capable of a 221mph top speed and should manage 0-60mph in 2.2sec.

Supercapacitors are smaller and lighter than traditional lithium ion batteries, allowing the XP-1 to arrive with a kerb weight of just 1032kg. 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 means they're much more efficient.

The recently-revealed Lamborghini Sián FKP 37 hybrid hypercar also uses the technology but relies solely on regenerative braking to recharge its small battery.

The XP-1's carbonfibre hydrogen tanks will hold enough fuel for 1000 miles of driving at street-legal speeds and can be refilled in less than five minutes. Hyperion has plans to supply hydrogen refuelling stations across the US, with more details to follow closer to the car's release.


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Looks pretty good, I'm sure Bugatti will find it interesting.

The claims are impressive but let's see how it actually does in the real world.

One thing that does interest me is funding. Being a vehicle startup is extremely expensive. Having a hypercar as your main / only model is extremely expensive.

Planning to establish infrastructure is an entirely different level of cost though.
 
Word on the street is, they were recently testing these in Beirut, but it had a small accident.
 
Looks pretty good, I'm sure Bugatti will find it interesting.

The claims are impressive but let's see how it actually does in the real world.

One thing that does interest me is funding. Being a vehicle startup is extremely expensive. Having a hypercar as your main / only model is extremely expensive.

Planning to establish infrastructure is an entirely different level of cost though.

Their company is divisional,

1. Hyperion Energy
2. Hyperion Motors
3. Hyperion Aerospace

and these divisions seems to be purely a halo initiative, at this stage, to showcase hydrogen-based power and delivery. All I know is that they are backed by an early venture capital company, LOUD Capital. Funding, don't know, I have never heard about LOUD, but they seem to be swimming in money to invest into hydrogen-based technologies.
 
The Hyperion XP-1 Is A Hydrogen Supercar Trying To Make A Point

The Hyperion XP-1, unveiled Wednesday, is a hydrogen fuel cell supercar with over 1,000 miles of range, a claimed zero to sixty time of 2.2 seconds, and a claimed top speed of over 220 mph. It’s also trying to make the case for hydrogen fuel cell technology.

A few more stats: The curb weight is around 2,275, it’s expected to go into production in 2022, and Hyperion says it will only make 300. And the company, founded in 2011, says it will also build out its own hydrogen filling station network, which it reasons can be fewer and further between than gas stations because of the massive range.

Because pretty much the sole point of this car is to make a point about hydrogen, which is that it is simply better than battery-electric long-term because the cars are lighter, hydrogen is more abundant than fossil fuels, and it’s more scalable into trains, planes, semi-trucks, and whatever other kinds of vehicle that needs power.

The problem, of course, is that for now, it’s all too expensive, but Angelo Kafantaris, CEO of the Orange, California-based Hyperion, says that all of hydrogen’s benefits are what make the XP-1 less a cool new supercar and more of an “educational tool.” Here he is talking to ArsTechnica:

 
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