The popular South Korean car maker, Hyundai, have just launched a replacement premium SUV; the second generation Nexo. What’s interesting is that is is a ‘fuel cell electric vehicle’ (FCEV): Yet another automotive acronym to remember. This new car will be available to buy later in the year and it is going global and will, say the company, offer flexibility, efficiency and safety, making it an exciting choice for early FCEV adopters. Thanks to the advanced fuel cell technology, the Nexo emits zero tailpipe emissions.
About The Fuel Cell Technology
At their core, hydrogen fuel cell cars are simply electric vehicles, but instead of plugging them into a socket to recharge, they are filled up with hydrogen, a process that takes around five minutes, so not much slower than filling with petrol, if a little more complicated. This hydrogen then reacts with oxygen in a fuel cell to generate electricity, which powers the car’s electric motor.
In one sense there’s nothing new about a hydrogen fuel cell but this striking SUV boasts significant power-train advancements. These advancements are centred around the fuel cell (FC) and power electronics (PE) systems, which have been enhanced to improve power output and performance. Range on the new Nexo is quoted as being around 434 miles (700 km), when driven for economy. That should cover most travel eventualities.
A new motor system complements these enhancements, increasing the PE system’s power output and battery capacity. As a result, the total output has been elevated from 135 kW to 190 kW, while the battery’s output has doubled from 40 kW to 80 kW. These improvements contribute to a faster 0-62mph (100 km/h) acceleration time of 7.8 seconds, considerably quicker than its predecessor, so it’s no slouch for a big vehicle.
Aerodynamic improvements, including underbody optimisations and airflow management enhancements, reduce drag and improve efficiency. The vehicle’s advanced noise, vibration and harshness performance is bolstered by technologies such as ‘Active Noise Control-Road’ noise cancelling and sound-absorbing tyres, improving vehicle refinement, especially during acceleration and on rough roads.
The Nexo utilises a ‘Smart Regenerative System’ to enhance driving convenience by automatically adjusting regenerative braking based on navigation data and distance to vehicles ahead. It reduces driver intervention by automatically managing deceleration during coasting, with adjustable vehicle distance setting. A ‘Route Planner’ helps drivers reach their destinations by incorporating potentially necessary charging stations into routes when energy levels are low. It recommends stations, shows the state of fuel at waypoints and offers real-time hydrogen station info, an important consideration. The system adjusts distance-to-empty based on air-conditioning use and displays an energy flow chart, hydrogen tank status and current driving mode.
The Art Of Steel
No, nothing to do with the Man of Steel, although in many ways this car is quite super; this is about design. The new Nexo embodies Hyundai’s new ‘Art of Steel’ design language, reflecting the inherent strength and natural formability of the material apparently. Within this design, the resilience and versatility of steel deliver tension and strength, with the resulting shapes a form of automotive art.
The bold lines and the chunky structure create a rugged image, while the vehicle’s arch-shaped cross section reinforces its strength. The horizontal groove patterns on the doors emphasize the vehicle’s durability, with the overall design suiting both urban and outdoor lifestyles. The exterior is defined by its ‘HTWO’ Lamps, creating a distinctive FCEV-specific design cue that blends boldness with refinement, neatly encapsulating Hyundai’s hydrogen brand and its ‘Hydrogen for Humanity’ environmental message. The 4 Dot Lamps also ensure the all-new Nexo is recognizable as a Hyundai at night.
The Premium Interior
Inside, the new Hyundai Nexo offers a spacious environment designed to enhance passenger comfort and convenience. The interior uses lifestyle-rich, soft padding with patterns that evoke the warmth and comfort of a home. A curved, driver-centric display, intuitive controls and an island-type centre console with impressive storage space are the key features. The head-up display projects essential vehicle information onto the wind-shield, reducing driver distraction and enhancing safety. It features a twelve inch display that shows autonomous driving data, rear-side safety alerts, a speedometer and other relevant information.
Digital side mirror displays integrate seamlessly as part of the dashboard, maximizing openness and practicality, infused with a high-tech feeling, the idea being to deliver an engaging experience for occupants and driver. At the back, the rear cargo capacity, has a maximum of 993 litres, enough for plenty of luggage, allowing users to freely select and utilize accessories tailored to their needs.
The interior also features first-row ‘Premium Relaxation Seats’ with leg rests. The first-row seats have slim backs that facilitate improved knee clearance and legroom for second-row passengers, whose comfort is further aided by ventilated seats that also offer an increased reclining angle compared with the previous model. There’s more head and shoulder room and bigger doors for ease of access.
Is fuel cell motoring going to be the new choice, eliminating the range and charging-time issues that concern distance drivers? It’s certainly an efficient system and Hyundai have really brought the technology to the fore. If you still prefer conventional internation combustion motoring then Hyundai have that covered too. See our range of new and used vehicles from this brand or choose from a wide selection of vehicles and models types from a selection of manufacturers.
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