Hyundai Motor Company is in contention for the World Car of the Year Awards with 3 models – of which two appear on the list of top ten for the overall prize.

Hyundai’s NEXO, the company’s fuel cell vehicle with its environmentally clean and advanced powertrain, is among the top ten contenders, as well as Hyundai’s luxury brand, Genesis, with the G70 derivative.

The Hyundai NEXO also appears among the top five in contention for the World Green Car award.Its powertrain, which uses hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity that powers the vehicle, gives the NEXO an estimated combined cycle driving range of 666 km for an efficiency rating of 0,95 kg of hydrogen per 100 km. The only by-product of the process is clean water vapour.

The NEXO’s powertrain has also earned Hyundai a place on the WardsAuto 10 Best Engine list for 2019.

In the category for the World Urban Car of the Year, Hyundai’s Santro is part of the list of five contenders. The Santro is an entry-level hatchback manufactured in India, where it was launched at the end of 2018. Hyundai Automotive South Africa is considering a local introduction of the Santro under the Atos model name later in 2019.

The World Car of the Year finalists were announced earlier in February. The 86 members of the jury panel will now whittle down the list of top ten for the overall prize and the shortlists of five for the various other categories to three finalists each, which is to be announced at the Geneva Motor Show early in March.

The overall winners will then be announced at the New York International Auto Show on 17 April.