Hyundai’s Retro Supercar Concept Just Got A Little Closer To Reality

Four years ago, Hyundai revealed two exciting concepts: the N Vision 74 and the RN22e, the latter of which has since been toned down and made real in the form of the excellent 640-horsepower Hyundai IONIQ 6 N. The more powerful, Giugiaro-designed N Vision 74 has been threatening to enter production too, but it’s meant to pioneer an exciting approach to hydrogen power, and that comes with an entire encyclopaedia of challenges, not least of which is a lack of supporting infrastructure. However, Hyundai has made itself a household name by taking on monumental tasks and is no longer an underdog on the global stage. Undeterred, the automaker has filed trademarks in two North American countries, potentially indicating that the hype train is about to leave the station.

Hyundai Adds New N74 Trademarks In The U.S. And Canada

First discovered by CarBuzz, Hyundai has applied to protect two new trademarks, both of which were filed in the United States and Canada. The trademarks are for the names “Hyundai N (Hybrid Hydrogen) Vision 74” and “Hyundai N74,” the latter of which is likely what a production version would be called. The name is a reference to the Hyundai Pony Coupe concept from 1974, whose design inspired that of the N Vision 74, but the powertrain proposed for the supercar concept is much more forward-thinking, with a 679-hp rear-drive hydrogen fuel cell hybrid powertrain. Combine potent power with Hyundai’s expertise in making electric vehicles exciting, and the N74 would be almost guaranteed to be fun to drive. It also looks unlike anything else on the road today, and protecting associated trademarks seems like evidence that Hyundai still has plans for the concept, despite the scarcity of hydrogen filling stations anywhere in the world. I have three theories for what Hyundai might do next.

Three Theories: Why Hyundai’s New Trademarks Matter

Theory number 1 is that Hyundai is imminently planning to offer a limited run of production N Vision 74 supercars. Earlier reports had suggested Hyundai was planning to produce 200 units in early 2026, and although that clearly hasn’t happened yet, Hyundai’s plans may have simply been delayed slightly, and it could still be on course to offer a limited-edition N74 before 2026 comes to a close. Exclusivity would help justify an undoubtedly high asking price, and having a decorated designer associated with the project doesn’t hurt either.

Theory number 2 is that Hyundai filed two trademarks to muddy the waters. Perhaps it plans to launch the N Vision 74 without the hydrogen component, selling a pure EV. Perhaps it plans to wrap the concept’s styling around a more conventional combustion hybrid. Or perhaps it plans to do away with electrification altogether and thus make the supercar more appealing. The last seems the most profitable, but Hyundai likes pushing the envelope, so it is simultaneously the most unlikely, but the N74 name could work with any of these options.

Finally, theory number 3 is simply that Hyundai is protecting the trademarks in one of its most important markets with an eye to launching a production N74 at some indefinite point in the future, with no imminent plans laid. Considering that the timeless retro-futuristic styling is not directly associated with any other Hyundai product and could easily get lightly revised lighting to make it more contemporary or futuristic, and considering the fact that Giorgetto Giugiaro’s rinsed-and-repeated wedge shape will always be celebrated, Hyundai could sit on this design for years to come. Perhaps once Genesis is done testing the waters at the deep end of the luxury market, Hyundai can take a shot at a supercar with its own badge on the hood. What do you think Hyundai is doing? Let us know down in the comments.

​Read More