Riversimple’s Supercar: Combining Hydrogen Power with Lightweight Design

Wait & See - The quest to improve vehicle performance often revolves around reducing weight. Heavy cars need more power to move, leading to wider designs and fatter tires to handle the energy, which ultimately consumes more resources and increases pollution. This dilemma isn’t new to automotive enthusiasts.

Riversimple now aims to tackle the 'weight crisis' in a revolutionary way with a new supercar. (Picture from: TopGear)

Seven years ago, an automotive startup in Wales called Riversimple sought to change this narrative. Known for the innovative Rasa, Riversimple now aims to tackle the 'weight crisis' in a revolutionary way with a new supercar. This supercar is unique because it weighs just 620kg and is powered by hydrogen, promising impressive efficiency and performance.

The supercars will use the same 70kg carbonfibre chassis as the Riversimple Rasa, pictured. (Picture from: Autocar)

Riversimple founder and chief engineer Hugo Spowers MBE described this vehicle as a solution to excessive power and an opportunity to redefine sports cars for the modern era. The supercar will use technology akin to the Rasa, featuring a carbon fiber chassis with four inboard electric motors and a hydrogen fuel cell that generates 29kW of electrical power. This fuel cell can be refilled in just five minutes, complemented by supercapacitors and 800V architecture.

The Riversimple team posed with the completed frame and chassis of the Rasa. (Picture from: Riversimple)

Despite the modest power output of around 39bhp, the supercar’s lightweight and aerodynamically optimized body negate the need for high horsepower to achieve speed. Riversimple aims for rapid acceleration, targeting 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds, 0-100mph in 6.4 seconds, and a top speed of 100mph. The company believes that a higher top speed would compromise the vehicle's efficiency and dynamics.

The car’s low mass, especially its low unsprung mass, contributes to exceptional driving dynamics. This lightweight design also extends the range, with Riversimple estimating a range of 410 miles on a single hydrogen refill. The supercar promises not only efficiency but also immense driving pleasure.

The Riversimple Rasa stands out as one of the most environmentally friendly models, both in terms of emissions and the materials used. (Picture from: Riversimple)

Adding to its innovative approach, Riversimple is collaborating with students from Coventry University to design the car's body and interior. The best student proposals might be used in the final design, blending cutting-edge technology with fresh, creative perspectives.

Riversimple plans to produce only a limited number of these supercars, between 10 and 20 units, each priced as a rare collectible. This exclusivity ensures that the car remains a unique blend of efficiency, style, and advanced engineering. For a reminder of Riversimple’s innovation, here is a video of the Rasa, which was first launched seven years ago.

In summary, Riversimple's new hydrogen-powered supercar represents a bold step towards redefining what sports cars can be in the 21st century. By focusing on lightweight construction and sustainable technology, this vehicle offers a glimpse into the future of high-performance, eco-friendly driving. This innovative approach might just inspire other manufacturers to reconsider the balance between power, weight, and efficiency in their designs. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | RIVERSIMPLE | TOPGEAR | AUTOCAR | DEZEEN | CONCEPTCARZ ]

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