Writer: Abhishek Pandey
Hyundai Motor Company has unveiled the second-generation NEXO, a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), at its global launch event in Korea. Inspired by the Initium concept, NEXO looks straight out of the drawing board and adopts Hyundai’s new ‘Art of Steel’ design philosophy. The SUV also has signature headlamps called HTWO, which are exclusive to the Hyundai FCEVs. The design of the NEXO is more upright and boxy, SUV-like, which is a complete departure from its predecessor. What is also very intriguing is the shape of the C-pillars, which split the side glass and flow through the rear door.
It is not just the design that has received changes; NEXO’s powertrain has also received significant improvements. It gets a 2.64kWh battery pack, a hydrogen fuel cell stack 149PS and a single electric motor that produces 204PS which allows it to do a zero-100kmph in 7.8 seconds. The hydrogen tank on the NEXO is now 6.69kg compared to the 6.33kg tank on the previous SUV. Not only that, it is also the first FCEV to have received a rating for towing a maximum of 1,000kg.
The interiors of the NEXO are unlike any other Hyundai. The dashboard has an island-type and centre console, which has two 12.3-inch displays and a 12-inch head-up display that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also gets a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. NEXO is more spacious than the model it replaces and now gets a 993litres of cargo space. The first row gets relaxation seats with leg rests, while the interiors are made of recycled PTE fabric and bio-leather. Other highlights include digital rearview mirrors, two wireless chargers and an AI-powered voice assistant.
The NEXO also introduces Digital Key 2, allowing keyless access via smartphones or Apple Watches, and an in-vehicle fingerprint authentication system for secure payments and engine start. The Built-in Cam 2 Plus records high-quality video, while V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) functionality enables power sharing with electronic devices. As per Hyundai, the NEXO will be available globally later this year, but it is highly unlikely to see this in India anytime soon.
