GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Hyundai FE Fuel Cell Concept

Hyundai has taken the wraps off its new FE Fuel Cell Concept at Geneva motor show. And it's a vehicle that purportedly previews the Korean marque’s next generation of hydrogen-powered vehicles.

Building on the success of the ix35 fuel cell SUV – a car sold in 17 global markets, (excluding Australia) – the FE, or Future Eco, is said to be 20 per cent lighter and 10 per cent more efficient.

While Hyundai hasn’t nominated power and economy figures at this point, the one-off also features a full cell stack with 30 per cent greater power density.

A forthcoming Fuel Cell SUV influenced by the FE Concept will be one of 14 new “environmentally-focused models” introduced to Hyundai’s fleet by 2020, the car-maker says.

Accompanying the model proliferation will be a renewed focus on everyday usability. As such, the FE Fuel Cell Concept features an accompanying electric scooter with a charging and docking port in the boot, portable battery packs that can be recharged by the car’s fuel cell, and a cabin humidifier which sources clean water from car’s hydrogen energy circulation.

As revealed by motoring.com.au in January, the FE will not be based on an existing Hyundai platform or model. It is hoped the lighter weight of a bespoke platform will help leverage mileage well beyond the ix35's current 560km range.

“Elements of the FE Fuel Cell Concept will influence an SUV Fuel Cell model set for launch in 2018, which will feature advanced ‘Hyundai Smart Sense’ driver assistance technologies, alongside an extensive hydrogen-powered range,” Hyundai said in a release.

“The car is designed to run for more than 800km between refuelling, acknowledging the current limited hydrogen infrastructure.”