Riversimple is a UK-based company and they are currently focused on developing a hydrogen-powered supercar, which will only weigh 620kg and will have a mile range of 400.

The aim in creating this supercar is for it to ‘push the limits of range, efficiency and lightweighting’ as it is being created to try and ‘redefine’ sports cars for the 21st century. One of the key focuses of this redesigning process, is to address the issue around weight that has become associated with this market. In order to try and correct this issue, Riversimple has decided to partner with the postgraduate students from Coventry University’s Automotive and Transport Design course. The students will be asked to focus on the vehicle’s design and the whole programme will be set up as part of a design competition. The company will have the students present proposals for the car’s interior and exterior and these designs, once judged by VW’s Head of Design, Andreas Mindt, could actually be used on the design of the car.

It is expected that the car will be able to go from 0-60mph time of 3.5 seconds and moreover, the car’s top speed will be 100mph, whilst using a 29kW of fuel cell power. Another aim for the car, is for it to weigh 1,000kg less than the battery-electric Lotus Evija.

Riversimple stated, “Increased resource consumption, embedded carbon in manufacturing and energy consumption in use, increased injuries from accidents, air and water quality from type emissions – and battery electrification has exacerbated the issues.”

The firm has said that, ‘the supercar is a “different take” on what makes for the “ultimate driving experience,” aiming to move away from “increasingly aggressive” styling, naming and speeds.’

Founder and Chief Engineer at Riversimple, Hugo Spowers, commented, “This car is an antidote to excess and power for the sake of it, and is an opportunity to redefine sportscars for the 21st century. We want the look to embody an elegant and sophisticated simplicity but unquestionably modern.”

Riversimple also said that, ‘the new supercar will use similar technology to its latest production fuel cell car – based on its Rasa.’