This is the Hopium Machina Alpha 0, a hydrogen-powered sedan prototype from French company Hopium.

The prototype has been put through some bench and track tests and is being used to certify the reliability of the company’s fuel cell system – a system which will, the company claims, enable some impressive performance numbers. The production Machina will be good, the company says, for 1000km of range, have 373kW on tap, have a top speed of 230km/h and be refilled in three minutes.

Hopium was founded by racing driver Olivier Lombard – a 24 Hours of Le Man winner in the LMP2 Class in 2011 – and the Frenchman and his team certainly have an eye for design as the Machina is a beautiful-looking sedan.

While the car is still some time away from being produced – Hopium has previously said it will be on the road in 2025 – those who are willing to wait for what looks like being a top-notch entrant in the luxury/performance zero emissions vehicle market can order one now, with Hopium opening the order book for 1000 units with a reservation price of just €410 ($AU650).

VIDEO: Hopium Machina Alpha 0 Hits the Road!

Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (July 2021) 

30 July 2021