Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell announced

* Hydrogen-powered SUV confirmed * Up to 1000 ix35s by 1015 * 0-62mph in 12.5sec, top speed of 100mph...

Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell announced

Hyundai will start production of its first hydrogen-powered model the Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell by the end of the year.

It aims to build 1000 examples by 2015, all of which will be leased 'publically and privately'; Hyundai has already signed leasing contracts in Sweden and Denmark. The firm says it has a target of 10,000 units after 2015.

The new model, which gets a minor face-lift, uses a fuel stack to convert hydrogen into electricity. This is stored in a battery pack and is used to drive the wheels.

The Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell has a range of 365 miles and gets to 60mph in 12.5sec, with a top speed of 100mph.

Hyundai hasn't revealed how much the car is going to cost to lease, but it is unlikely to appear in the UK because of a lack of hydrogen infrastructure.

By Iain Reid