ROLLING OUT THE FUEL CELLS
Hyundai’s Nexo to be very limited
GANGWON-DO, SOUTH KOREA The 2019 Hyundai Nexo looks like a contemporary crossover complete with its two-box styling and, in a nod to the Range Rover Velar, door handles that pop out when the vehicle is unlocked. However, what lurks beneath is a dedicated platform with a 2,790-millimetre wheelbase and the company’s latest fuel-cell technology.
It’s a zero-emission ride that produces nothing but water, and it also “vacuums” the air because what goes in (smog, tiny particulates, and so on) is cleansed so the air that exits is 99.9 per cent pure.
The new powertrain is state of the art and brings some big improvements to the market. When compared to the Tucson FCEV’s fuel-cell stack, the Nexo’s is 16 kilograms lighter yet boasts a onekilowatt improvement in power density. It’s now 3.1 kW per litre, which means a big improvement in driving range, in this case, 609 kilometres from its three underfloor hydrogen fuel tanks.
The fact the new fuel cell converts 60 per cent of the hydrogen consumed into useful energy, compared to 25 per cent for a gasoline engine, speaks volumes. It has a life cycle of 10 years, yet unlike an electric vehicle, the hydrogen tanks can be filled in less than five minutes, which is about the same time it takes to gas up a regular vehicle.
The new fuel-cell stack is joined by a lithium-ion battery, which improves output and provides a seamless transition of power. The fuel cell is rated at 95 kW and the battery at 40, giving the Nexo a total output of 135 kW. The net system output is rated at 120 kW.
The combination powers an electric motor that delivers 151.5 horsepower and 291 pound-feet of torque. While the numbers, do not seem special, driving the Nexo proved it to be more than adequate, as the torque is generated the instant the wheels begin to turn. This brings a spirited launch off the line and a willing mid-range kick.
On the highway the Nexo comfortably purred along at 140 km/ h and still had a little kick left when needed. The overall performance is not going to wow, but it more than gets the job done and delivers outstanding fuel efficiency. The test average was 88.6 kilometres driven per one kilogram of hydrogen consumed. Compared to a similarly sized, gas-powered crossover, that number is somewhat less than half the expected consumption.
A big part of the efficiency equation boils down to regenerative braking. As is becoming popular, the Nexo has paddle shifters that allow the driver to tailor the amount of regenerative braking. There are four basic levels. Level 0 has no regenerative braking, while Level 3 delivers a healthy dose. The best setting proved to be Level 2, delivering plenty of regen without making the car overly sensitive to slight changes in the throttle pedal’s position.
The Nexo’s ride and handling got thumbs up in both cases. Body roll is controlled, the steering is crisp and responsive, and there’s plenty of lateral grip in a fast corner. As far as comfort goes, it soaked up road imperfections nicely. It’s more than up to the segment’s expectations.
The cabin has a large display screen behind the steering wheel and a second to the right that hovers over the central console. The neat bit is when the turn signal is activated, the rear view to the left or right shows up in the instrumentation in a clean and uncompromised display. It is similar to Honda’s LaneWatch, but more sophisticated. Flowing away from the infotainment and navigation screen, which recognizes the usual smartphone gestures, is a large bank of switches and knobs. It’s intuitive and houses a push-button shifter.
The back seat has enough width, head- and legroom for three sixfooters to sit comfortably, and with 839 litres of cargo capacity behind them. No number was given for the seats-down capacity.
The Nexo will arrive in Canada near the end of this year, with an allotment of 25 vehicles. (You can blame the non-existent hydrogen refuelling infrastructure for that.) Final specifications and pricing will be announced later, although Nexo will qualify for the maximum rebate in all Canadian provinces that offer an EV incentive.