Most experienced hydrogen racer in the world unveils world’s first-ever hydrogen-powered sedan

Hopium Machina Vision, the world’s first-ever hydrogen-powered sedan, reopens order book.

@Hopium Machina Vision World Premier in Paris ; @twitter.com/hopiumofficial

Hopium, French manufacturer of high-end hydrogen-powered vehicles, unveils the Hopium Machina Vision, the world’s first-ever hydrogen-powered sedan. A showcase of performance, innovation and technology, intended to reshape the standards of mobility.

At the Paris Automotive Week 2022, Hopium announced the reopening of the Hopium Machina Vision order book. First deliveries are scheduled for the end of 2025.

Conceived by automotive designer Felix Godard, the Hopium Machina Vision displays a notchback silhouette, that is both athletic and elegant, with a clever balance of proportions. The ascending fuselage and the kinetic grille are both optimized for fuel cell system cooling and vehicle aerodynamics. At the front, the light signature is reminiscent of the stratification of the fuel cell stack, and waves on the surface of the water.

@Hopium Machina Vision, the world’s first-ever hydrogen-powered sedan

Inside, Hopium users can enjoy the uncompromising comfort of a spacious cabin and an unparalleled sky view. With a simple hand gesture running through the central spine, passengers can either opacify or turn the glass expanse into a panoramic window with the active shading function. The vehicle offers the user a new sensory connection with the interface through the haptic console, which allows navigation through main menus and control of settings, in a unique digital choreography.

At the front, the pillar-to-pillar display provides a digital landscape of information. It can transform into a full or minimized layout as desired, in a wave-like motion.

Hopium is the first French manufacturer of high-end hydrogen-powered cars and a key player in the field of zero emission mobility. Established in 2019, Hopium was founded by racing driver Olivier Lombard, winner of the 2011 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans competition and the most experienced hydrogen racer in the world. The race acted as an open-air laboratory which made it possible for Olivier Lombard and his team to reflect on new mobility solutions to meet contemporary environmental challenges. Bringing together leading partners and experts in the sectors of fuel cells, automotive engineering and advanced technologies, Hopium aims to restore the dialogue between mankind, nature and technology, in a search for a perfect balance.

Hopium Machina Vision, the world’s first-ever hydrogen-powered sedan, world premiere at @mondialdelauto .

The ultimate service for the ultimate coachbuilt car: Lotus Type 62-2 Coachbuilt By Radford

  In many ways, it’s a real challenge creating a tribute to a historic car – because nothing is quite the same as on a contemporary car. Inherently, the wheels are bigger, the overhangs are longer, and the cockpit and engine position are different. Engineered using Lotus technologies, Type 62-2 Coachbuilt By Radford will be … Read more

Aston Martin Vanquish 25 by Callum: The most difficult decision was what not to change

 

 

 

The Aston Martin Vanquish 25 by Ian Callum, the former director of design for Jaguar.
Re-visited. Re-imagined. Re-designed. Re-created, refined and Re-born, using new materials, advanced technologies, and fresh inspiration.

Callum Aston Martin Vanquish 25
Aston Martin Vanquish 25 by Callum; @callum

In 2001, the Vanquish entered into Aston Martin’s history as one of its iconic models, and the last to be produced at Newport Pagnell.

And now comes the Aston Martin Vanquish 25 by CALLUM, fully endorsed by Aston Martin. You can be part of this continuing success story, working with Callum automotive design studio to build your own individual Vanquish 25 by CALLUM. “It will never be a best-seller, because it is a bespoke build available in a strictly limited global edition of 25 only,” said Ian Callum.

That beautiful form is enhanced by a series of focused refinements – some subtle and nuanced, some more substantial and fundamental – which sharpen the outline, and make the Vanquish the Grand Tourer for the 2020s, focused on performance and comfort. An example of this is the 20:20 vision window surrounds which be newely reformed using modern technology. In the 1990s, limitations in the manufacturing processes were compromised. Today, we can do it with a seamless, one-piece carbon fibre surround…so, we have.

Callum Aston Martin Vanquish 25-04
Aston Martin Vanquish 25 by Callum; @callum

Comfort and class must go hand-in-hand with sports car performance.

Dampers are tuned, springs are customised and larger anti-roll bars are fitted front and rear to improve steering. The Achilles’ heel of the original is addressed by larger, stiffer bearings typically found on Aston Martin’s race cars.

Under the bonnet is a V12. But this is a V12 tuned by CALLUM. It delivers an extra 60bhp. It has a new sculpted carbon air box, valley brace and new engine cover, providing functionality in a beautiful package.

Outside, the new bonnet vents carefully allow air into the engine bay. The custom carbon fibre air box, together with equal length primaries, helps the Vanquish 25 by CALLUM to sing. And out of the Integrated Diffuser Exhaust System comes a sound that you will love, says the celebrated automotive designer. This is an inovative design solution too, eliminating the clutter around the valance. And it’s smart engineering, because it also works as an aero device. Plus, for the first time with the Vanquish, the option of a fully automatic six-speed torque-converter gearbox.

Callum Aston Martin Vanquish 25-02
Aston Martin Vanquish 25 by Callum; @callum

There is much to take in, inside you’ll see immediately that, following the original design drawings, it is a two-seater – with a unique new and practical rear environment into which sits a custom set of luggage, crafted by British design icon, Mulberry.

Settle into the lower, ergonomic pre-sculpted seats and you’ll appreciate the optimised driving position, new finer steering wheel and paddle shifters. Your eyes (and your ears) will be drawn to the new carbon fibre topped centre console, which gives you an integrated audio system with CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth and an eightinch media display.

And the re-trimmed and re-profiled panels, made from Scottish Bridge of Weir leather, are the first to showcase CALLUM’s take on ‘abstract’ tartan, which will be one of CALLUM’s design identities for future creations.

“Before you leave the car there will be a surprise for you, too. We have collaborated with Bremont to create a elegant instrument cluster as well as a bespoke pocket watch. So you can take your time…with you,” said the design team.

The iconic CALLUM logo, sign written by hand, is unique to each Vanquish 25 by CALLUM.

Callum Aston Martin Vanquish 25-01
Aston Martin Vanquish 25 by Callum; @callum

 

 

Connections with the past: now the Daytona Coupe includes Peter Brock’s signature as well

  The legendary automotive and trailer designer Peter Brock returns to sell continuation versions of the Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe that he designed 55 years ago. Just six Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupes were originally built, and each is now worth millions. In 1999, Peter Brock, the creator of the Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe back in … Read more