Hyundai Initium Hydrogen EV Concept Revealed; Showcases Brand’s New Art of Steel Design Language

Hyundai Motor Company revealed a new hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV) concept called the Initium. The Initium also previews the South Korean brand’s new design language, called ‘Art of Steel’. The Initium will go into production soon and the production version will be unveiled in the first half of 2025. 

Talking about ‘Art of Steel’, SangYup Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Hyundai and Genesis Global Design, said, “Our challenge began from the manufacturing stage, where we pushed the formability of steel to the extreme to create a form of art. With Initium, we’ve crafted a more SUV-like design that is both solid and safe, reflecting our dedication to our customers through 'customer-centric design.” 

The Initium looks like an SUV with a chunky, boxy design language. The headlights get a ‘+’ inspired graphic and is made up of four squares. The grille gets four horizontal LED DRLs in the corners and four, smaller ‘+’ inspired squares in the centre. The ‘+’ inspired lighting is also visible at the back. The chunky body cladding and flared wheel arches make it feel more like an SUV. The Initium also has a steeply raked rear windscreen, which also lends it a trapezoidal shape for the rear quarter window. It also rides on 21-inch aero-inspired alloy wheels, which Hyundai claims will help reduce drag, and it also comes with a functional roof rack. 

Powertrain details of the Initium concept remain a mystery but Hyundai claims the FCEV will have an output of 201 bhp from its electric motor. Hyundai is targeting a range of around 650 km before the Initium needs to be refuelled. 

The interior of the Initium too hasn’t been revealed but Hyundai claims it will have “an impressive level of interior space and versatility suitable for a family SUV”. Hyundai also mentioned that the second row of seats will be able to recline and the rear doors will have a large opening angle, adding to the comfort quotient of the Initium. 

The Initium will also come with features like vehicle-to-load (V2L) as well as an FCEV-specific route planner. This route planner will include information on the charging infrastructure. Hyundai claims the Initium has been designed with high-levels of passenger safety in mind as it has nine airbags and a reinforced structure.