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New Models

Hyundai Nexo fuel-cell SUV revealed – UPDATE

The Hyundai Nexo fuel-cell SUV has been revealed this week at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), ahead of a launch in select markets later this year.


Serving as a purpose-built replacement for the ageing previous-generation Tucson (ix35) FCEV, the Nexo not only brings a more powerful and efficient hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain, but also the company's latest driver assistance technologies.

In terms of design, the Nexo is largely identical to the near-production vehicle that previewed it in August, featuring a futuristic look inspired by the 2017 FE concept revealed at last year's Geneva motor show.

Details of the production car's powertrain are yet to be detailed, though we're expecting the Nexo to be quicker than the outgoing ix35 FCEV.


UPDATE: A huge new gallery of on-road photos has been released. See our gallery for more shots.


In terms of range, Hyundai is targeting 370 miles (595km) based on the Korean testing standard. However, Hyundai Australia has previously confirmed with CarAdvice that using the European standard, on which ours are based, we can expect a range of over 800 kilometres.

Headlining the reveal, though, are details of the Nexo's new-generation driver-assistance systems, many of which are a first for the Hyundai brand.

The first of these technologies is blind-spot view monitor, which displays the rear and side view of the vehicle when changing lanes in either direction - presumably projected onto the in-car infotainment screen.

While it's similar in concept to Honda's Lane Watch camera - available in models such as the Civic - Hyundai's version is claimed to be an 'industry first' as it covers both sides of the vehicle.

Second is lane-following assist, which keeps the Nexo centred in a lane between 0 and 90mph (0-145km/h) on both highways and city streets. The technology essentially becomes a semi-autonomous mode when combined with highway driving assist, using map data and sensor information to keep the vehicle in the centre of the lane while adjusting speed accordingly.

Remote smart parking assist is another new feature for Hyundai debuting on the Nexo, enabling the vehicle to autonomously park or retrieve itself from a parking space or garage without a driver.

Like BMW's self-parking system on the new 5 Series, owners can tell their Nexo to back into a perpendicular space while standing outside the vehicle and pressing a button on the key fob.

Finally, there's intelligent personal cockpit, though there are no images of the interior yet to show this system at work.

The connected vehicle tech uses artificial intelligence (AI) and 'internet of things' technology (IOT) to complete commands and functions via voice control, allowing the driver to adjust cabin temperature or open the sunroof, along with more sophisticated tasks like turning the lights on/off in their connected home or stream the song they're playing in the vehicle through the home audio system.

Hyundai says its intelligent personal cockpit can complete multiple commands at once, using the example of the driver asking "tell me what the weather is like tomorrow and turn off the lights in our living room", the system can recognise two separate tasks and complete them.

Finally, the system acts a proactive personal assistant, using sensors on the steering wheel and driver's seat to track heart rate and stress levels.

If the vehicle senses the driver is stressed, Hyundai says the Nexo's intelligent personal cockpit can provide access to online visual consultation with a doctor or play a soothing playlist and dim the cabin lighting for a "more soothing driving experience".

While the Nexo won't be available to the general public in Australia – due to our lack of infrastructure for hydrogen-powered vehicles – Hyundai's local arm has secured a fleet of 20 units for the ACT Government as part of the Hornsdale Wind Farm project.

Stay tuned to CarAdvice for more CES coverage.

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