Will Rimac Deal Lead To An Electric Hypercar From Hyundai?

Update: In a statement, Hyundai said it cannot comment on speculative product plans.

Hyundai recently announced a partnership with Croatian electric vehicle manufacturer Rimac Automobili.

Rimac is an expert in electric powertrains and the joint press release issued by the companies confirmed that the duo will develop prototypes for an electric Hyundai N “midship sports concept car and a high-performance fuel-cell electric vehicle.”

It remains to be seen what form this fuel-cell electric vehicle will take but Automobile Magazine suggests it could be a production version of the Essentia concept with no less than 1900 hp. We’re not so sure.

Also Read: Pininfarina Battista Electric Hypercar Hits NY Streets, American Deliveries Start Next Year

The logic goes that Rimac has already developed a potent four-motor, all-electric powertrain for its C_Two hypercar and also supplies the same underpinnings to Pininfarina for its Battista electric hypercar. Evidently, Rimac is happy to sell this potent powertrain to customers and Hyundai could be one of them, specifically the Genesis brand.

However, this does seem like wishful thinking. Sure, it could be done but Hyundai has no need for a flagship hypercar, not even for the N performance division or Genesis. It is widely assumed that the mid-engine sports car mentioned being developed by the South Korean car manufacturer will enter the market and top out the N division. What’s more, a 1900 hp hypercar would be absurdly expensive and we can’t imagine many people lining up for a multi-millon dollar hypercar from Hyundai, especially when there are alternatives from Rimac and Pininfarina to consider.

We think it is more likely that if Hyundai does intend on using parts already developed by Rimac, it would make more sense to use a pair of electric motors rather than four.

Carscoops has reached out to both Hyundai and Rimac to see if we can get any more details about this “high-performance fuel-cell electric vehicle.”