Seldom does its weight affect (or seems to affect) performance. The brakes, however, fail to impress as a result of the regenerative braking system; I don’t have any numbers to prove it, but stopping distances felt considerably longer. Plus, brake pedal feel is certainly not as clear and direct as the regular model’s.
The extra hardware and components, with the dual hydrogen tank and all, do compromise agility in corners but never excessively. It should be noted that the body structure was made lighter through the use of aluminum instead of steel. Once again, if it were not for the disconcerting lack of engine noise, you would get the absolute impression of driving a conventionally-powered SUV.
Efficient technology
The Kia Borrego FCEV relies on a hydrogen fuel cell stack and a supercapacitor, which replaces the typical lithium-ion battery and sends power to the front-mounted electric motor. Total output amounts to 154 horsepower (including 47 hp from the fuel cells) and top speed is rated at 160 km/h. The hydrogen for the fuel cells is stored in a 202-litre dual tank under the rear seat. All-wheel drive is also part of the equation.
Don’t expect electrifying accelerations, as the FCEV takes about 12.8 seconds to reach 100 km/h from a standstill.
A road trip?
With a full tank of hydrogen, the available range exceeds 700 kilometres, as confirmed by various road tests from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Granted, these were performed with a triple-tank model, while our Korean tester made do with just two. We didn’t cover as much land, especially since we drove off with a partially empty tank.
In fact, after dozens of kilometres on the highway and a short detour by the countryside, we nearly got to the bottom of the tanks. Still, it all turned out to be an amazing adventure. Making the most out of our time, we stopped by a little town called Gancheon ("city by the river"). We even took a break in a minuscule Buddhist temple overlooking the rice fields.
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| Total output amounts to 154 horsepower (including 47 hp from the fuel cells) and top speed is rated at 160 km/h. (Photo: Kia) |
The extra hardware and components, with the dual hydrogen tank and all, do compromise agility in corners but never excessively. It should be noted that the body structure was made lighter through the use of aluminum instead of steel. Once again, if it were not for the disconcerting lack of engine noise, you would get the absolute impression of driving a conventionally-powered SUV.
Efficient technology
The Kia Borrego FCEV relies on a hydrogen fuel cell stack and a supercapacitor, which replaces the typical lithium-ion battery and sends power to the front-mounted electric motor. Total output amounts to 154 horsepower (including 47 hp from the fuel cells) and top speed is rated at 160 km/h. The hydrogen for the fuel cells is stored in a 202-litre dual tank under the rear seat. All-wheel drive is also part of the equation.
Don’t expect electrifying accelerations, as the FCEV takes about 12.8 seconds to reach 100 km/h from a standstill.
A road trip?
With a full tank of hydrogen, the available range exceeds 700 kilometres, as confirmed by various road tests from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Granted, these were performed with a triple-tank model, while our Korean tester made do with just two. We didn’t cover as much land, especially since we drove off with a partially empty tank.
In fact, after dozens of kilometres on the highway and a short detour by the countryside, we nearly got to the bottom of the tanks. Still, it all turned out to be an amazing adventure. Making the most out of our time, we stopped by a little town called Gancheon ("city by the river"). We even took a break in a minuscule Buddhist temple overlooking the rice fields.
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| With a full tank of hydrogen, the available range exceeds 700 kilometres. (Photo: Kia) |