Hyundai has updated the Nexo hydrogen car: the range has increased to 700 km, and the power has increased to 255 hp.

By and large, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are also electric vehicles, but they store energy not in the form of a charge of heavy traction batteries, but in the form of hydrogen under high pressure, which then generates electricity. The new generation Hyundai Nexo will be able to travel 700 km without refueling and tow a load weighing 1 ton.

Image source: Hyundai Motor

As New Atlas explains, the ability to tow loads has not been previously declared for passenger cars on hydrogen fuel cells, although the use of the same electric motors technically allows for a very large traction force. The first-generation Hyundai Nexo crossover has been produced since 2018, which is a long time by the standards of the modern industry, so it’s time to update this hydrogen car.

As before, it will be possible to fill the fuel tank with hydrogen in just five minutes, and the range on this fuel reserve has increased from 666 to 700 km compared to its predecessor. The power unit has also increased its power from 181 to 255 hp. The crossover picks up speed of 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds. Against the background of many battery electric vehicles, this is quite a lot, but this crossover of a classic layout does not claim the laurels of a motorsportsman. However, the predecessor still needed 9.2 seconds to complete this exercise. Since cars with a hydrogen power unit still require a buffer battery, its maximum power output in the new version of the crossover has doubled to 80 kW, although the capacity is limited to 2.6 kWh. The capacity of the fuel tank has increased from 6.33 to 6.69 kg of hydrogen.

Image source: Hyundai Motor

The side mirrors are cameras, so the images from them are displayed on special compact displays in the corners of the front panel of the cabin. Since such an innovation has not yet been legalized in many countries, Hyundai will probably make the presence of such “digital mirrors” an option in most markets. Following the example of many Chinese competitors, the car is equipped with folding front seats with ottomans for the feet. The luggage compartment contains 1000 liters of space, there is more legroom for rear passengers, and the ability to tow a trailer weighing up to 1000 kg is generally declared for the first time for a passenger car with this type of power plant. However, this feature is declared only for the European modification of the crossover.

Image source: Hyundai Motor

The car is also equipped with a decent set of driver assistants, a voice interface for the on-board system, active noise reduction in the cabin and support for a digital NFC key. In addition, you can access its controls using a fingerprint. Practicality is added by the ability of the power plant to power external consumers, including through a socket in the cabin.