Major milestone for FCEVs

Hyundai describes its next-generation Nexo fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) as a “cutting-edge” mid-size SUV.

It says the car, which will be released in global markets later this year, marks a significant milestone in hydrogen mobility.

The Nexo is based on the Initium concept, which was unveiled in October 2024, and Hyundai is targeting more than 700km of range from a five-minute charge.

Its sturdy design with bold lines and solid structure create a rugged image, while the arch-shaped cross section reinforces its strength. Horizontal groove patterns on the doors emphasise the vehicle’s durability.

The vehicle’s exterior is defined by its HTWO lamps, creating a distinctive FCEV-specific design cue that encapsulate Hyundai’s HTWO hydrogen brand.

The Nexo’s interior boasts rich, soft padding. A curved, driver-centric display, intuitive controls and an island-type centre console with impressive storage space are key features. Digital side-mirror displays integrate as part of the dashboard.

The all-new model is longer, wider and taller than its predecessor, resulting in improved passenger comfort and increased rear cargo capacity with a maximum of 993 litres – enough room for up to four golf bags.

The interior has first-row “premium relaxation” seats with leg rests. The first-row seats have slim backs for 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 Nexo. The new car has improved head and shoulder room in the second row, while the rear doors open wider.

Sustainable materials are used throughout, including bio-process leather, bio PU leather, recycled PET fabric, linen fabric, bio plastic, bio TPO skin, bio paint, bio PU slab foam and recycled automotive plastic waste.

New fuel-cell system

The all-new Nexo boasts “significant” powertrain advancements centred around the fuel cell and power electronics with the latter being boosted by a new motor system. 

As a result, total output has been elevated from 135kW to 190kW, while the battery’s output has doubled to 80kW. The 0-100kph time is 7.8 seconds compared with 9.2 seconds for the previous model.

The hydrogen fuel-cell stack delivers maximum gross power of 110kW, a 16 per cent increase, while the new electric motor provides up to 150kW. 

The stack also features improved low-temperature operability and durability enhancements, including to the membrane, and a uniform cell performance structure.

The system’s all-electric range competitiveness is secured through enhanced fuel efficiency and an increased hydrogen tank capacity of 6.69kg, up from 6.33kg, and improved hydrogen-storage density.

Aerodynamic improvements, including underbody 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 road-noise control.

The Nexo’s e-handling system further enhances performance through motor torque control for better handling. By adjusting motor output, it optimises grip, boosting steering response and stability.

The car has a smart regenerative system. It uses extended map information to adapt to road conditions, such as speed cameras, turns and speed humps. It reduces driver intervention by automatically managing deceleration during coasting.

Features & advanced technology

The new Nexo features a column-type shift lever that enhances driver convenience and cockpit usability, while removing the traditional shift lever allows for more space and design flexibility.

The FCEV route planner helps drivers reach destinations by incorporating charging stations on the way when energy levels are low. It recommends stations, shows the state of fuel at waypoints and offers real-time hydrogen station information.

The connected car navigation system boasts a sleek curved display that combines a 12.3-inch information cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment monitor. The system supports over-the-air software updates and features generative AI voice recognition. The infotainment offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a premium Bang & Olufsen sound system with up to 14 speakers.

Generative voice recognition integrates advanced AI capabilities into its voice assistant. This aims to provide dynamic, AI-generated responses and automatically enters conversation mode.

The 12-inch head-up display projects information onto the windshield. It shows the likes of autonomous driving data, rear-side safety alerts and a speedometer.

Located on the centre console, the dual-wireless charging system enables high-speed charging for smartphones. It supports communication for digital keyless entry and vehicle start. 

The Nexo’s vehicle-to-load (V2L) function provides versatile power solutions. Inside, an outlet on the centre console allows users to plug in home electronics and appliances powered by the car’s high-voltage battery. The exterior V2L function offers direct plug-in capability.

A digital centre mirror enhances rear visibility via a camera-monitor system for a wider field of view, as well as improved seat coverage and night visibility compared with traditional opticals. 

The built-in Cam 2 Plus offers high-quality video capture through the front and rear cameras, including voice-recording capabilities. It includes a parking-motion detection function that can operate for up to four days.

The in-vehicle fingerprint authentication system offers enhanced convenience and security by integrating such authentication as part of the Nexo’s audio, visual, navigation and telematics system. This enables fast ID for electronic payments and personal identification, and allows for keyless engine start using only a user’s fingerprint. 

The rear-occupant alert system is designed to prevent safety incidents by detecting infants left in the vehicle. It uses radar sensors to detect movement in the rear seats, and provides audible and visual warnings to notify the driver of anyone left behind.

Advanced safety & driver assistance

The all-new Nexo features a multi-skeleton structure and up to nine airbags to protection passengers and its hydrogen tank. 

The car is constructed using hot stamping and high-strength materials to enhance body rigidity and ensure strong passive safety through effective passenger room protection. 

It features top-grade collision performance across all body regions and has been designed to absorb and disperse collision energy.

The use of third-generation, ultra-high-strength steel improves formability compared with first-generation steel. Key enhancements include reinforced front-end components, a multi-piece hot-stamped lower side area, improved frontal-crash load path and multi-load path structure for side impacts.

ADAS features include blind spot, forward-collision avoidance and lane-keeping assist, safe exit warning and assist, intelligent speed-limit assist, driver-attention warning, blind-spot viewer monitor, high-beam assist, smart cruise control, emergency stop and navigation-based smart cruise control.

If that’s not enough, there’s lane-following and highway-driving assist, rear-view and surround-view monitors, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, forward, side and reverse parking-distance warning and collision-avoidance assist, and remote smart-parking assist.