Tag Archives: Hyundai

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Hyundai’s Bold Hydrogen Play: The All-New Nexo Debuts at the ESWC 2025

At most auto shows, you expect the usual parade of concept EVs, super-SUVs, and the latest take on “sustainable luxury.” But this wasn’t an auto show—it was the 13th World Congress of the Econometric Society (ESWC 2025) in Seoul, a gathering better known for academic papers and policy debates than for sheet metal reveals. Yet Hyundai Motor Company seized the stage to showcase its latest vision of a hydrogen-powered future, headlined by the world premiere of the all-new Nexo fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV).

This marks the first full redesign of the Nexo in seven years, and Hyundai clearly wanted to make a statement. Built around the company’s new Art of Steel design philosophy, the Nexo wears a sharper, more aerodynamic silhouette highlighted by distinctive “HTWO” signature lamps—a nod to Hyundai Motor Group’s dedicated hydrogen sub-brand. Underneath, the engineering advances are more impressive still: Hyundai claims a driving range of more than 700 kilometers (435 miles) on a full tank of hydrogen and a total system output of 190 kW (255 horsepower). That’s a meaningful bump over the outgoing model, pushing the Nexo firmly into competitive territory with battery-electric SUVs while still offering the ultra-fast refueling that hydrogen advocates tout as the technology’s ace in the hole.

Inside, Hyundai doubles down on sustainability with materials derived from bio-based and recycled sources, while enhanced safety tech rounds out the package. The Nexo isn’t just a science project anymore—it’s designed to feel like a legitimate contender in the mainstream crossover market.

But Hyundai’s ambitions stretch well beyond a single vehicle. Through HTWO, the brand’s hydrogen-focused business platform, the automaker used the ESWC stage to illustrate its full-circle hydrogen ecosystem. Visual content and interactive displays showed off projects like the Chungju waste-to-hydrogen plant, which uses biogas for hydrogen extraction, and the Buan electrolysis facility, designed to scale clean hydrogen production. Together, these initiatives underscore Hyundai’s attempt to cover the entire value chain: production, storage, distribution, and utilization.

The company also highlighted its expanding lineup of hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles. The XCIENT Fuel Cell truck, already deployed in select international markets, took the spotlight alongside the Elec City and Universe Fuel Cell buses. If the Nexo is Hyundai’s consumer-facing proof of concept, these heavy-duty workhorses demonstrate the scalability—and real-world practicality—of hydrogen propulsion.

That Hyundai chose the World Congress of the Econometric Society as its stage is no accident. The event is held only once every five years and draws global leaders in economics and policy. Hyundai’s presence sent a clear message: hydrogen mobility isn’t just a matter of engineering; it’s a matter of economics, infrastructure, and global energy policy.

While battery-electric vehicles dominate the conversation today, Hyundai is betting big that hydrogen will play a pivotal role in the long-term transition to sustainable mobility. By positioning HTWO as an “open platform” for partnerships, investment, and collaboration, the automaker hopes to attract the allies—and capital—needed to build out the infrastructure that hydrogen requires.

For now, though, it’s the new Nexo that steals the headlines. Sleeker, stronger, and more sustainable, it may just be the most convincing argument yet that hydrogen fuel cell vehicles deserve a place in the automotive future.

Source: Hyundai

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Hyundai Tucson Reinvented: Less Crossover, More Power Stance

If you thought the Hyundai Tucson was content with being the world’s dependable, value-packed family chariot, think again. Hyundai’s best-seller is about to shed its soft edges and bulk up like it’s just discovered creatine. The fifth-generation Tucson is coming, and this time, it’s raiding the Santa Fe’s wardrobe.

The big news? Hyundai’s giving it the brand’s new ‘Art of Steel’ design language – which is less about stainless kitchenware and more about turning everyday SUVs into Tonka toys for grown-ups. We’ve already seen this aesthetic on the big, blocky Santa Fe and the hydrogen-snorting Nexo. Both look like they were designed with the aid of Lego Technic and an angle grinder, and the Tucson is set to follow suit.

Spy shots of camouflaged prototypes reveal a longer bonnet, chunkier wheel arches, and a more upright stance. Translation: the Tucson’s been skipping Pilates and is now squatting heavy. It’s less crossover, more compact off-roader cosplay. Hyundai design boss Simon Loasby says he wants each model to be like “chess pieces” rather than “Russian dolls.” Which means your Tucson won’t just look like a shrunken Santa Fe – it’ll have its own swagger.

Inside, Hyundai promises its next-gen interior treatment, which could mean a dial-back on the mega-iPad dashboards we’ve all been pretending to love. Expect a slightly smaller screen, simpler software, and – hallelujah – more physical buttons. Hyundai’s design gurus reckon this is safer, but really, it’s because we’re all tired of playing touchscreen whack-a-mole while trying to change the fan speed.

Under the bonnet, things will be familiar but electrified. The Santa Fe’s 1.6-litre hybrid with 212 hp will likely make the cut, alongside a 249 hp plug-in hybrid for those who like their commutes with a side of smug. Four-wheel drive will be available, but don’t expect it to suddenly morph into a Dakar contender – this is still a school-run assassin first and foremost.

Practicality? Bigger body, more space, and possibly an upgrade from the already cavernous 620-litre boot. So yes, Karen, you’ll have room for the dog, the pushchair, and four crates of oat milk.

The Tucson matters because it’s Hyundai’s biggest player globally – shifting 600,000 units last year alone. It’s the car that’s allowed Hyundai to go from being the sensible budget option to stealing sales straight from Volkswagen and BMW’s lunch table.

So, when’s it coming? Expect the all-new Tucson to land in the second half of next year. And when it does, prepare for Hyundai’s middleweight SUV to look a lot more like it belongs in the ring.

Source: Hyundai

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Hyundai Ioniq 2 to Bring Premium EV Tech to the €30K Segment

Hyundai is about to make its boldest move yet in Europe’s electric arena — and it’s aiming squarely at one of the hottest new battlegrounds in the industry. The upcoming Ioniq 2, a compact, Bayon-sized electric crossover, is designed to lock horns with the incoming Renault 4, Volkswagen ID 2X, and Skoda Epiq.

Expected to debut at next month’s Munich Motor Show before hitting showrooms in Q3 2026, the Ioniq 2 will be Hyundai’s ticket into the rapidly growing affordable EV hatchback segment. More than just another model, it’s a strategic play to close the gap with sibling brand Kia, which outsold Hyundai in Europe by fewer than 8,000 units in the first half of 2025.

Closing the Gap — and the Price

Sitting between Hyundai’s compact Inster EV and the Kona Electric, the Ioniq 2 is set to share much of its DNA with Kia’s upcoming EV2. Both will ride on Hyundai Motor Group’s scalable E-GMP architecture, a platform already underpinning everything from the Kia EV6 to the Hyundai Ioniq 5. That means the 2 is likely to borrow the EV3’s choice of battery packs — 58.3kWh for a 267-mile range, or 81.4kWh for up to 372 miles — paired with a 201-hp front-mounted motor.

Pricing will hover around £25,000, making it one of the most attainable E-GMP-based EVs yet.

Design: Camouflage Can’t Hide Ambition

Spy shots show a raised hatchback profile with a raked roofline, echoing the proportions of Volkswagen’s ID 2X. Expect a sharp, technical nose inspired by the Ioniq 6, complete with slim LED lighting and an aggressive stance. Inside, Hyundai is promising a “step change” in usability, with a wide, continuous display stretching across half the dashboard — part instrument cluster, part infotainment hub — and a cabin more tech-focused than the current Tucson hybrid.

Why It Matters

The Ioniq 2’s arrival is perfectly timed. Europe’s affordable EV market is about to explode, led by the Renault 4’s summer launch and the imminent debuts of VW’s ID 2X and Skoda’s Epiq. By stepping into this space, Hyundai isn’t just broadening its six-strong EV line-up — it’s positioning itself for a major sales surge.

Hyundai Europe boss Xavier Martinet puts it plainly: “We are very much involved with the electrification of our line-up and to increase our electrified mix in the coming years.” The Ioniq 2 could be the model that turns that plan from ambition into dominance.

Source: Hyundai; Photo: CarSpyMedia