Hyundai showcases Nexo hydrogen fuel cell vehicle in Singapore

Hyundai showcased Nexo, its next generation fuel cell vehicle, in Singapore today, 27 November, at the Grand Hyatt Singapore.

While most may associate Hyundai with their traditional and economy oriented vehicles in the past, that is not really the case. Hyundai has always been innovative, creating cars loaded with cutting-edge technology that improves performance, safety and other features. As the case in point, Hyundai is a pioneer of the eco-friendly and sustainable hydrogen fuel cell technology, beginning R&D for it in 1998. Hyundai went on to become the world’s first carmaker with a mass production hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, the ix35 Tucson FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle), in 2013.

Today, Hyundai brought its latest FCEV, Nexo, which was just unveiled in the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show at Las Vegas on 8 January, to showcase at Grand Hyatt Singapore. Nexo is the technological flagship of Hyundai's growing eco-vehicle portfolio, it also marks Hyundai's continued momentum toward having the industry's most diverse CUV powertrain lineup.

The Hyundai Nexo is the first ever fuel cell vehicle from the manufacturer that is built with a dedicated vehicle architecture. This allows the Nexo to achieve a lighter weight of just 1,800kg despite the hydrogen fuel cell, hydrogen tanks and battery system. Compared to the Tucson FCEV, the Nexo also produces 15 more horsepower, this improved power-to-weight ratio propels the Nexo from 0 to 100km/h in just 9.5 seconds.

Apart from performance benefits, there is also more cabin space as the battery is relocated to the trunk, along with an improved fuel cell system layout. Perhaps one of the notable strength of the Nexo is its estimated range of 595.5km, which is considerably higher than the Tucson FCEV's 426.5km. Unlike conventional electric vehicles which can require up to four hours for a full charge, the Nexo only requires less than five minutes for a full refuel of hydrogen.

Nexo is packed with innovative safety features such as the Blind-spot View Monitor (BVM), which displays the rear and side views of the car on a center cluster screen. By using wide angle surround view monitors on each side of the vehicle, it is able to monitor areas that cannot be seen by a traditional rearview mirror.

It is also equipped with Lane Following Assist (LFA), an all new technology from Hyundai, which automatically adjusts steering to keep Nexo centered in its lane. LFA works together with the Highway Driving Assist (HDA), which utilises sensors and map data to ensure safe operation and automatically adjust speed in limited environment, to assist drivers with traversing long distances with increased safety and ease.Hyundai NEXO is also equipped with Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) which enables it to park or retrieve itself from a parking space autonomously.

The Nexo also purifies the air by filtering out fine dust (PM2.5) while driving, as such it is truly an eco-friendly solution that not only protect the environment by producing zero emission, it also actively remove pollutants in the surrounding.

The Nexo model will spearhead Hyundai Motor's plans to accelerate development of low emission vehicles, the group plans to introduce 18 eco-friendly models to global markets by 2025.This represents the next step towards realising Hyundai Motor's ultimate ambition of creating a cleaner environment through eco-friendly vehicles.

The Hyundai Nexo is available in select markets around the world and is currently unavailable in Singapore.