The Hopium Alpha 0 prototype
French manufacturer of hydrogen-powered sedans, Hopium, has unveiled its first rolling prototype in Paris.
Announced in October, last year, and produced in record time in the Linas-Montlhéry test workshop, the vehicle, called the Alpha 0, certifies the reliability of the fuel-cell system, says Hopium.
“After the design and architecture phases, followed by the implementation of the various components within the vehicle, the prototype was able to be evaluated and perfected through bench and track tests.
“With a speed of 200 km/h, this test version already borders on the performance promised by the Hopium Machina in its final form.”
The Alpha 0 also introduces for the first time the signature lighting and emblem of Hopium, with the shape reminiscent of the stratification of hydrogen and the movement of waves on the surface of water.
The reveal of the prototype is a key step in Hopium’s roadmap, says the company, and confirms its ability to achieve its goals.
The launch was accompanied by the opening of an order book for the first thousand numbered units of the Hopium Machina, with a reservation price set of 410 euro, in reference to the spectral line of hydrogen.
Hopium says its team is “already fully committed in carrying out the next steps, aiming to produce Hopium Machina on an industrial scale”.
Hopium was founded by Olivier Lombard, the youngest winner of the 24 hours of Le Mans.