Skip to main content

Hyundai cracks off two new land speed records in fuel cell, hybrid cars

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats are a temple of speed. You can show up with any type of car and set a land speed record, which is exactly what Hyundai did with two very unlikely vehicles. The Hyundai Nexo hydrogen fuel cell SUV and Sonata Hybrid sedan aren’t very sporty in stock form, but each just set a record at Bonneville in its respective category.

The Nexo reached 106.160 mph on the salt, which Hyundai claims is a record for a fuel cell vehicle. The record breaking car was mostly stock, with modifications made primarily for safety. Hyundai fitted a roll cage, fire suppression system, and a Sparco seat with six-point harness. An “under-bumper aero valance” was also added to improve aerodynamics, according to Hyundai.

Based on redesigned 2020 Sonata, the Sonata Hybrid land speed record car hit 164.669 mph at Bonneville, enough for a record in the car’s class, according to Hyundai. The hybrid sedan received more extensive modifications than the Nexo. Its engine was tuned to run on racing fuel, and fitted with a custom exhaust header and nitrous oxide system. The suspension and tires were land-speed specific, and the car was fitted with smooth Moon Disc wheel covers — a staple at Bonneville. Like the Nexo, the Sonata was also fitted with a roll cage, six-point harness, and fire suppression system.

This isn’t the first time Hyundai has brought green cars to Bonneville. In 2016, a Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid hit 157.825 mph on the salt, setting a record for production-based hybrids that the Sonata Hybrid has presumably broken. Hyundai has also developed a battery-electric version of its Veloster hatchback for circuit racing.

The Nexo and Sonata Hybrid land speed record cars will be on display at the 2019 SEMA show in Las Vegas. Hyundai will also bring an off-road version of the Veloster to SEMA, the automotive aftermarket industry’s biggest trade show. The Nexo is currently on sale in California only, since that’s the only state with enough hydrogen stations. Expect the redesigned Sonata Hybrid to launch in the United States in the coming months alongside the gasoline 2020 Sonata, which will get some new fuel-saving tech of its own in the form of a continuously variable valve duration engine, which Hyundai claims will boost efficiency.

Editors' Recommendations

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
Scout Motors Electric SUV: rumored price, release date, design, and more
Scout SUV Teaser

There's another electric SUV on the way, and this one comes with a familiar name. Volkswagen is reviving the classic Scout name for a new electric SUV that's billed as being an "RUV," or a rugged utility vehicle. And, it could well prove itself as the best electric SUV in its price range, when it does finally come out.

The new EV isn't due out for quite some time, but there's already a fair bit that we know about it. Curious to learn more? Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming Scout SUV.
Design
There's very little we actually know about the Scout SUV so far, but we do know a little about the eventual design. A few teasers for the upcoming vehicle have been released, showing sketches of both the SUV and the accompanying pickup truck, along with what's presumably the front of the SUV -- though in a dark environment, with little detail.

Read more
Volkswagen ID.GTI concept is another icon reimagined as an EV
Front three quarter view of the Volkswagen ID.GTI concept.

Volkswagen reinvented one of its most iconic models with the ID.Buzz, a modern, all-electric homage to the classic Microbus. But that's not the only fan favorite vehicle currently in the automaker's catalog.

Debuting at the 2023 Munich Auto Show, the Volkswagen ID.GTI concept aims to do for the Golf GTI hot hatchback — VW's signature performance car — what the ID.Buzz did for the Microbus. VW claims a production version has already been given the green light, although it won't say when it will appear.

Read more
Some Tesla fires were reportedly caused by Idalia floods
A Tesla Model Y is seen driving to the left.

As Florida embarks on the difficult work of cleaning up the damage caused by last week’s powerful Hurricane Idalia, local fire crews warned owners of electric cars caught up in floods to immediately move their vehicles away from buildings as a safety measure.

The alert was issued via the Facebook account of firefighters in Palm Harbor, Florida, after reports emerged of electric batteries in two Tesla cars suddenly combusting after exposure to saltwater, CBS News reported, adding that one of the Tesla cars went up in flames as it was being towed by fire crews.

Read more