Photo: Hyundai
Just a week ago, Hyundai announced it would be bringing the glamor and bling of the streamliner railway trainsets of the 1930s to the North American Commercial Vehicle Show in Atlanta (NACV), in the form of the HDC-6 Neptune Concept. And now, the contraptions have been revealed, showing just how cool-looking machines used to be back then.
Officially, the Neptune is supposed to mark Hyundai’s commitment to expanding its presence into the U.S. commercial vehicle market. That is why the main concept is a hydrogen-powered Class 8 heavy-duty truck.
Designed as a blend between the past and the future, the Neptune can morph into anything than moves on wheels, as seen in the renderings released by the South Koreans. It can be a cargo-hauler with three axles, or a tractor head capable of pulling a trailer, or even a locomotive.
“HDC-6 Neptune, the concept for the next-generation fuel-cell electric truck, embodies Hyundai Motor’s vision of mobility for a global hydrogen society, innovatively developed applying Hyundai designers’ creativity and the company’s advanced technology,” said in a statement SangYup Lee, Head of Hyundai Design Center.
“To maximize the potential of a next-generation fuel-cell electric vehicle, HDC-6 Neptune delivers groundbreaking futuristic architecture. In particular, one can understand Hyundai’s novel approach to the interior design of the space and in capturing lifestyle-oriented mobility.”
There is no hint that the carmaker will actually build something looking like the Neptune for this particular segment. But the fuel-cell powertrain fitted on the concept, although not detailed, is yet another sign Hyundai doesn’t plan to give up this alternative fuel, at least not when it comes to moving cargo.
Presently, Hyundai is on the verge of supplying 1,600 fuel-cell trucks to the Swiss commercial vehicle market, and the U.S. is the next target. There, it will have to face opposition from the likes of Daimler, Toyota, and Kenworth.
Designed as a blend between the past and the future, the Neptune can morph into anything than moves on wheels, as seen in the renderings released by the South Koreans. It can be a cargo-hauler with three axles, or a tractor head capable of pulling a trailer, or even a locomotive.
“HDC-6 Neptune, the concept for the next-generation fuel-cell electric truck, embodies Hyundai Motor’s vision of mobility for a global hydrogen society, innovatively developed applying Hyundai designers’ creativity and the company’s advanced technology,” said in a statement SangYup Lee, Head of Hyundai Design Center.
“To maximize the potential of a next-generation fuel-cell electric vehicle, HDC-6 Neptune delivers groundbreaking futuristic architecture. In particular, one can understand Hyundai’s novel approach to the interior design of the space and in capturing lifestyle-oriented mobility.”
There is no hint that the carmaker will actually build something looking like the Neptune for this particular segment. But the fuel-cell powertrain fitted on the concept, although not detailed, is yet another sign Hyundai doesn’t plan to give up this alternative fuel, at least not when it comes to moving cargo.
Presently, Hyundai is on the verge of supplying 1,600 fuel-cell trucks to the Swiss commercial vehicle market, and the U.S. is the next target. There, it will have to face opposition from the likes of Daimler, Toyota, and Kenworth.
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