Hydrogen-powered Hyperion XP-1 To Take On Tesla And Porsche EVs Real Soon

• Teaser image reveals a design inspired by the Bugatti Veyron.

• Features slim headlights, a low slung roofline and flared rear wheel arches.

• Expect Hyperion to reveal more details as we get closer to its unveiling in August.

While most mainstream carmakers switch to electrification, there are some that are placing their bets on other forms of alternative fuels. Californian startup Hyperion is one such company and it believes hydrogen is the key. The company has announced that it will reveal a hydrogen-powered supercar called the XP-1 in August 2020. The XP-1 was originally meant to premier at the New York International Auto Show, but the coronavirus pandemic cancelled proceedings. 

The main talking point of the Hyperion XP-1, of course, is that it will be powered by a hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain. Performance figures are yet to be revealed.

Teaser images of the XP-1 reveal a four-door car quite like the Tesla Model S and Porsche Taycan, but the design seems to have taken inspiration from the Bugatti Veyron, especially in the way the roof curves around the rear of the car. The front end gets a low nose, a sleek pair of LED headlights and bulbous wheel arches. Overall, the XP-1 is likely to feature a relatively clean design unlike modern supercars today that have been pushing the boundaries of aggressive exteriors.

Expect Hyperion to reveal more details about the XP-1 as we get closer to global debut in August. When launched, it could potentially move the game forward for proponents of hydrogen fuel cells as an alternative to fossil fuels and even EVs. Toyota has time and again stated why it thinks hydrogen fuel cells are the future. The biggest advantage a hydrogen-powered vehicle has over an EV is its quick refill time compared to a battery pack that needs hours to charge completely.