UK’s Viritech Apricale Is A 1,073 Hp Hydrogen Hypercar Designed By Pininfarina

Viritech, a UK-based firm that specializes in hydrogen powertrains, has unveiled the final production version of its Appricale hypercar, with a 1,073 hp FCEV powertrain, a sub-1,000 kg weight, and a Pininfarina-styled body. The Appricale debuted at the Goodwood Festival of Speed ahead of its market launch in early 2024.

Thanks to Viritech’s Graph-Pro technology, which uses lightweight composites and a graphene-enabled resin system, the hydrogen tanks are a structural component of the carbon-fiber monocoque chassis, reducing weight at the same time. The “multi-hundred kW fuel cells” and the tiny 6 kWh “Ultra High Power lithium-ion battery cells” provide energy to dual electric motors (one on each axle).

The targeted range is 350 miles (560 km) between refueling the 700-bar 5.4 kg (11.9 pounds) hydrogen tanks. Matt Faulks, ex-F1 engineer, and Viritech co-founder said that the goal was to keep the weight low and make it fun to drive. In that context, the hypercar features double-wishbone suspension front and rear with pull-rod actuated torsion bars. Brakes comprise 390 mm (15.4 inches) carbon-composite discs with AP Racing calipers.

The system has a total deployable output of 1,073 hp (800 kW / 1,088 PS) and 1,000 Nm (737.6 lb-ft) of torque. According to Viritech, the model will accelerate from 0-97 km/h (0-60 mph) in less than 2.5 seconds and its top speed will exceed the 322 km/h (200 mph) mark.

The hydrogen hypercar has been fully redesigned compared to the previous version from 2021. It retains the Koenigsegg-style wraparound windshield but now comes with a new face, a pair of aggressive LED headlights, larger bumper intakes, and an F1-style wing. At the back, we find thin LED taillights, an integrated spoiler, double fins on the roofline, and a honeycomb pattern on the blue-painted rear bumper that looks like a massive diffuser. The hypercar measures 4.550 mm (179.1 inches) long, 1.900 mm (74.8 inches) wide, and 1.150 mm (45.3 inches) tall.

The Viritech Apricale will be produced in a limited number of 25 units with the help of Pininfarina. Autocar reports that the model will be priced close to £1.5 million ($1.8 million) before taxes. Deliveries will start at the beginning of 2024, following extensive testing and the start of production in 2023.

Besides the low-slung machine, Viritech showed an SUV concept called Tellaro, showcasing the potential uses of their FCEV technology. Viritech will be supplying hydrogen powertrains to other companies including BAC, in “sustainable transport applications”.