Hyundai Nexo SUV showcased in India

Hyundai has showcased its new Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), the Nexo, for the first time in India at the ongoing India-Korea Business Summit, in New Delhi. It was unveiled in the presence of Chung Eui-sun, Vice Chairman, and SH Kim, Vice President, Namyang R&D Centre, Hyundai Motor Company.

The Nexo derives power from a 95kW fuel cell, which in turn powers an electric motor that produces 161hp and 395Nm of peak torque. The SUV has a drive range of 609km on a single charge (under Korean certification), and 0-100kph is dealt with in a claimed 9.2sec. The Nexo currently serves as the technological flagship for the Korean carmaker.

Apart from being ready for an all-electric future, the SUV is also equipped with a suite of autonomous driving functions and includes a next-generation blind spot monitor. It also gets other driver assists such as Lane Following Assist (LFA) and Highway Driving Assist (HDA); while the former can steer, accelerate and brake the car at speeds, the latter uses map data and builds on LFA to control the car's speed according to the speed limit of the road, as well as using sensors to detect environmental conditions. The Nexo is also fitted with a remote parking system, enabling the car to self-park.

Hyundai believes the fuel-cell drivetrain is as reliable as an internal combustion engine and can be refueled in almost the same time. Moreover, the SUV also has an edge over mainstream engines as it can function in temperatures as low as -30deg C.