The new Viritech Apricale Hydrogen is a hydrogen hypersport.

One of the premieres of the Goodwood Speed ​​Festival these days is the Viritech Apricale hypersport. It is true that so far it is only a prototype in full size, because the development began only a year and a half ago. The main ideologue of the project is the British company Viritech, which develops hydrogen propulsion systems for various modes of transport, including long-distance tractors and helicopters. The Italian studio Pininfarina is responsible for design and engineering.

The main idea of ​​the developers is to produce an electric hypersport that would be comparable to the best petrol colleagues in terms of curb weight. After all, a traditional electric car with a full-fledged battery weighs about two tons, but it is still too much for a hypercar. That’s why Viritech Apricale is equipped with a hydrogen electrochemical generator, which is installed behind the seats. There is also a powerful energy cell, inside which are mounted gas cylinders. Hydrogen is stored in them at a pressure of 700 bar, a reserve of 5.4 kg should be enough for 560 km of driving.

There is also a balancing battery from AMTE Power with a high level of energy exchange, but its capacity is only 6 kWh. The Tri-Volt electrical system has an operating voltage of 800 volts and has three operating modes. Electric motors can only be powered by a battery (for example when parking), only by an electrochemical generator or by two sources at the same time. There are two engines (one on each axle), giving a total of 1088 hp and 1000 Nm.

The heart of the 4550 mm long Viritech Apricale hypercar is a carbon fiber monocoque. Chassis with double-lever suspension and adjustable ground clearance (from 95 to 135 mm). AP Racing brakes with carbon-ceramic discs with a diameter of 390 mm, six-piston mechanisms are installed at the front, and four-piston mechanisms at the rear. There is also a powerful recuperation system, with which you can charge the battery in just a few seconds. According to the developers’ calculations, the curb weight of the Viritech Apricale coupe should be only 1000 kg. The maximum speed exceeds 320 km / h and acceleration to one hundred should take less than 2.5 seconds.

So far, only two pieces have been produced and the first driving prototype should be tested in the third quarter of this year. The developers expect that hydrogen hypersports will be ready for small series production at the end of 2023. The cars will be produced by Pininfarina, the planned load is 25 copies. The first Viritech Apricale commercial hypermarkets will be delivered to customers in 2024.