Hyundai’s Ground-breaking Innovations Shine at bauma
At bauma 2025, Hyundai Construction Equipment Europe showcased its visionary technology, introducing new-generation excavators and sustainability-focused machinery that promise to transform the construction industry.
From powerful diesel machines to pioneering electric and hydrogen-fuelled excavators, Hyundai’s stand was undoubtedly a crowd-puller.
Next-Gen Diesel Excavators: The HX360L and HX400L
Front and centre of Hyundai’s display were the cutting-edge HX360L and HX400L crawler excavators. These formidable machines, weighing in at 36 and 40 tonnes respectively, represent a total rethink from Hyundai, designed from scratch to deliver unmatched productivity, efficiency, and operator comfort.
Powered by Hyundai’s award-winning DX08 diesel engine, these excavators blend brute force with remarkable fuel economy. Generating 341hp and a robust 1,460Nm of torque, the DX08 features an advanced two-stage turbocharger, delivering 23% more power than its predecessors. Impressively, this EU Stage V compliant engine achieves an 8% improvement in fuel efficiency, a real boon for cost-conscious operators.
Servicing intervals have doubled, reaching 1,000 hours for engine oil and filters. Furthermore, thanks to the absence of EGR and extended DPF cleaning intervals (up to 8,000 hours), operating costs and downtime plummet significantly, keeping these machines running longer and harder.
Enhanced Operator Comfort and Control
Hyundai’s new excavators aren’t just about raw power—they’re designed with the operator firmly in mind. The next-generation cabins feature premium leather seating with heating and cooling options, providing maximum comfort even on the most challenging jobsites. Dual 12.8-inch high-definition screens offer intuitive control, complemented by fully electro-hydraulic (FEH) joystick and pedal systems, allowing precise adjustment of hydraulic response to individual operator preference.
Additionally, operators benefit from smart technologies such as a smartphone-enabled digital key for keyless entry, a precise bucket weighing system, and the innovative Virtual Wall feature that enhances operational safety and productivity. The lift-assist technology further improves site safety by indicating precise and safe load-moving zones.
Elevated Safety with Smart Tech
Safety remains paramount, and Hyundai significantly raises the bar with its Smart Around View Monitoring (SAVM). Expanding the previous four-camera setup to six, including advanced AI integration, the SAVM system actively detects human presence, drastically reducing the risk of onsite incidents. Complementing this system, three radar sensors actively identify hazards, automatically triggering visual and audio alerts, and even bringing the excavator to a halt if necessary.
Hyundai has also incorporated numerous safety enhancements, including a four-corner beacon system for optimal visibility, LED working lights, external microphones for clear operator communication, and white noise reversing alarms for improved site safety.
Serviceability and Reliability
Ease of maintenance is another standout feature of these new models. Wide access panels, extended coolant change intervals (up to 6,000 hours), and reversible cooling fans that help keep radiators debris-free all contribute to reduced downtime.
Hyundai’s Prognostics and Health Management (PHM) system further boosts reliability, providing predictive maintenance insights, and is seamlessly integrated with Hyundai’s Hi-MATE telematics platform.
Hyundai’s Electric Excavator Concept: The HX230e
Hyundai also turned heads with its ambitious HX230e electric crawler excavator concept. Targeting an eco-conscious future, this 25-tonne machine offers zero tailpipe emissions, powered by a robust 420kWh battery pack, ensuring up to eight hours of continuous operation. A larger, 503kWh battery pack option extends operating time, making it ideal for demanding urban environments.
Crucially, rapid CCS2 DC fast-charging capabilities slash recharge times, maximising site productivity. The HX230e matches diesel-powered performance but operates far more quietly and sustainably—essential as cities globally introduce stringent emission regulations for off-highway equipment. Hyundai plans to commercialise this electric marvel by late 2027, responding directly to growing demand for cleaner, quieter machinery.
Award-Winning Hydrogen Excavator: The HW155H
One of Hyundai’s proudest achievements at bauma 2025 was clinching second place in the coveted Innovation Award, Climate Protection category, thanks to its ground-breaking hydrogen-powered wheeled excavator, the HW155H. Developed alongside Hyundai Motor Company, a global leader in fuel-cell technology, the HW155H is powered by a single 90kW fuel cell driving an electric motor that manages the machine’s hydraulics.
A standout feature of the HW155H is its advanced solid hydrogen storage system, capable of providing up to 12 hours of continuous use and enabling rapid refuelling akin to traditional diesel machines. Accompanying the excavator, Hyundai showcased an innovative mobile hydrogen refuelling truck, proving how practical hydrogen technology could be even on remote sites.
Peter Sebold, Product Manager at Hyundai Construction Equipment Europe, remarked: “We are delighted that the bauma judging panel recognised the potential of our hydrogen fuel cell technology and the part that the HW155H and other machinery will play in delivering zero-carbon solutions for construction sites across Europe.”
Visitors to Hyundai’s bauma stand were visibly impressed, noting the potential of these innovations to redefine construction machinery standards, especially in sustainability and efficiency.
Building the Future, Today
Hyundai’s bauma 2025 presentations marked more than mere product launches—they signalled a clear, ambitious direction towards an innovative, efficient, and sustainable future for construction.
With diesel efficiency reaching new heights, electric power entering mainstream construction, and hydrogen fuel cell technology proving viable, Hyundai’s ambitious steps at bauma indicate exciting times ahead for the construction industry.
The stage is now set, and construction professionals, investors, and policymakers would do well to keep Hyundai’s ground-breaking innovations firmly on their radar.
