The most brilliant news makes us see that electric cars will dominate the automotive scene in the coming years. However, manufacturers are already thinking of alternative solutions that promise to be even more sustainable and real. The Hyundai Nexo it is a car of the present future in a real world. A car powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, a technology called to be the real future of the engine.
The Nexo is not Hyundai's first attempt to entrench hydrogen technology. The first advance was made in the Hyundai ix35 FCEV. Those first units, which were merely testimonial, were the guinea pig for the development of a different mobility system. It wasn't until the launch of the Nexus in January 2018 that the real capabilities were really demonstrated.
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, and therefore it is an inexhaustible source of energy.. However, its main problem is the difficulty of using it as fuel and its high volatility, requiring special high-resistance storage tanks. Many brands have explored this route, and although few have dared to launch commercial products, more and more models are betting on alternative mobility.
Technical characteristics of the Hyundai Nexo
Unlike the Hyundai iX35 FCEV, the Nexus is developed on an unprecedented platform. Thanks to this, it can offer a much higher level of technology and security. An exclusive platform designed to maximize the advantages of the hydrogen fuel cell, offering plenty of space thanks to the reduced size offered by the entire drive unit.
Due to its size, the Hyundai Nexo is located in the C-SUV segment, being one of the largest units in that category. Outwardly, it marks some measures that take it to the 4,67 meters long, 1,86 meters wide and 1,64 meters high. To these external dimensions must be added a wheelbase of 2,79 meters. A wheelbase large enough to offer an approved passenger compartment for up to five passengers.
In terms of cargo capacity, the Nexo offers a minimum boot volume of 461 liters, expandable to a maximum of 1.466 liters if we lower the second row of seats completely. In general terms, we are talking about a normal vehicle, although with a high weight of 1.889 kilograms. Finally, we must mention a free height with respect to the ground of 16 centimeters.
Mechanical range and gearboxes of the Hyundai Nexo
The Hyundai Nexo is powered by an electric motor that obtains electrical energy from a hydrogen battery. The electric block has a power of 120 kW (163 CV) and yields a maximum torque of 395 Nm. This electric motor is powered by a battery with a capacity of 40 kW, located under the boot floor. Unlike a conventional electric car, this battery is not recharged from an electrical network, but rather through the work of the fuel cell.
To store the necessary hydrogen, the Nexo has three tanks of 52,2 liters each. In total there are 156,6 liters distributed under the second row seats and the boot floor. Altogether, the autonomy approved in the WLTP cycle takes it up to 660 kilometers. All management is derived from a one-speed automatic gearbox, as is customary in all electric cars.
All in all, the Nexo's performance is very competent. It accelerates from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in 9,2 seconds. Top speed, electronically limited to save power, is 179 kilometers per hour. The main drawback is recharging, not because of time, since it is just as fast as current fuels, but because of the charging network. There are hardly any hydrogen stations in the world, and much less in our country.
Hyundai Nexo equipment
The Hyundai Nexo should not be considered as a mass production car. Rather it is a prototype with the capacity to be registered. From doors to the inside it shows all the good work of a house like Hyundai. A well-presented interior in terms of materials and fit that produces a sense of high perceived quality, higher than what we usually find in the segment.
The equipment possibilities of the Hyundai Nexo are very complete. They are grouped around a single termination, named the same as the model. As it is not a large production product, the customization options are practically non-existent. The packages are closed and do not allow to expand or reduce the load of systems or technology.
As far as equipment is concerned, it has nothing to envy to any other product of the house. Interesting elements such as Full LED headlights, air conditioningdor, digital instrument panel, multimedia system with browser, connectivity for mobile devices and 12,3-inch touch screen. To all this, and much more, we must add a very extensive safety team and driving assistants.
The Hyundai Nexo on video
Hyundai Nexo according to Euro NCAP
The Hyundai Nexo is one of the safest vehicles that has been evaluated by the autonomous body Euro NCAP. The score it has obtained in the different impact tests to which it has been subjected is the maximum. Thus, with 5 stars, it confirms that hydrogen vehicles are safe. The protection achieved for adult occupants is an outstanding 94 percent. In case of impact, the figure for children is remarkably high, 87 percent. Pedestrians, or bicyclists, if hit, have 67 percent protection. Finally, in active driving aids, it obtains a remarkable 80 percent.
Hyundai Nexo rivals
There is not, directly. Such is the exceptionality of the Nexus that at the moment it is not possible to speak of direct rivals for it. Each brand is exploring the utilities and viability of the hydrogen battery, but few dare to launch definitive products to dealers, since the recharging network is practically non-existent. If that we can mention models with the same technology as the Toyota Mirai, Mercedes GLC F Cell, Audi A7 h-tron, Honda Clarity Fuel Cell and that's it. In the future, more real and commercial models will surely arrive, but at the moment this is not the case.
Highlight
- habitability
- zero pollution
- hydrogen powertrain
To improve
- High price
- No charging network possible
- Set weight
Hyundai Nexo prices
Being the first to have a technology has never been cheap. This principle that we can apply to any commercial field also applies in the case of the Nexus. The purchase price of the Hyundai Nexo is 72.250 euros, with a financing offer included. It is a closed price where we cannot add or subtract details. It is a very high cost and merely testimonial since private customers cannot access its services as they have no place to recharge it.
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