Honda announces first fuel-cell production car - Threads Merged

[GoHuskies]

New update on Honda concept:

Honda Offical Site: Honda.com/FCX

Honda FCX Clarity in LA

From article:
Honda unveiled the production model for its updated FCX hydrogen powered car in LA.

Honda chose this name to express the idea that the company is creating a fuel cell vehicle that will offer a clear solution to the challenges of the future, helping society achieve sustainable mobility.

The FCX Clarity utilises Honda's V Flow stack in combination with a new compact and efficient lithium ion battery pack and a single hydrogen storage tank to power the vehicle's electric drive motor. The fuel cell stack operates as the vehicle's main power source. Hydrogen combines with atmospheric oxygen in the fuel cell stack, where energy from the reaction is converted into electric power used to propel the vehicle. Additional energy is also generated through the capture of kinetic energy from vehicle braking and deceleration (known as regenerative braking), which is stored along with surplus energy from the fuel cell in the lithium ion battery pack, and is used to supplement power from the fuel cell, when needed. The vehicle's only emission is water.

Whats so good about the FCX? :
-a 20-percent increase in fuel economy (about 2-3 times the fuel economy of a petrol-powered car, and 1.5 times that of a petrol-electric hybrid vehicle, of comparable size and performance)

Cost: $600 a month to lease for a 3 year term. BUT WAIT: That 600 includes all maintenance and collision insurance. Additionally there still remains the tax credit which it does apply for.


While it does have drawbacks mostly including price and limited availability of hydrogen stations this car represent a big view on a possible future.

Hydrogen power produces water and it is possible to retrieve H from water itself. If the technology comes along hydrogen has the capacity to become a near unlimited resource.

Best way I'd describe this car is a vision of the future. Imperfect, but a pointer in the direction of Honda and its auto future.

Some pics: Looks kinda civic sedan like. Wish they would have one at the Hartford auto show this weekend but I doubt it:

[atruhondagrl]

Looks like a Prius raped a Civic and some dormant Accord size gene kicked in.

[Sirbelch]

Originally Posted by atruhondagrl

Looks like a Prius raped a Civic and some dormant Accord size gene kicked in.

[brazilianguy]

Originally Posted by atruhondagrl

Looks like a Prius raped a Civic and some dormant Accord size gene kicked in.

rofl

[Fully Flared]

For what it is, I really like it. Accord/Civic hybrid interior FTW.

[NitrousG35]

Originally Posted by atruhondagrl

Looks like a Prius raped a Civic and some dormant Accord size gene kicked in.

Quite the gene pool. A Prius for a father and a Civic for a mother and you get a bastard child called a FCX.

[bLaCkAnGeL07]

The interior is very Civic-ish and has the new Accord feel with the upper part of the dash. I actually really like it. I would drive it. But if the powertrain is successful in that car, they may decide to go with it in multiple vehicles, so I think I'd opt for the newer gen CRX theyre thinking about, or the production equivalent of the Remix, which if I recall correctly is supposed to have a hybrid powertrain?

[TheChosenGuy]

The back is HIDEOUS. Reminds me of a Prius which makes me want to vomit. I like the interior somewhat though. :) Except what I can see of the seats.

[DTNguyen107]

^^^I agree. I'm not feeling for the rear. I mean seriously... they went over the ugly line and left it miles behind.

Other than that, everything else seems good or alright. Although IMO, it would be nice if it had it's own style rather than cross breading Civic and Accord.

[gx4th]

Originally Posted by GoHuskies

The FCX Clarity utilises Honda's V Flow stack in combination with a new compact and efficient lithium ion battery pack and a single hydrogen storage tank to power the vehicle's electric drive motor. The fuel cell stack operates as the vehicle's main power source. Hydrogen combines with atmospheric oxygen in the fuel cell stack, where energy from the reaction is converted into electric power used to propel the vehicle. Additional energy is also generated through the capture of kinetic energy from vehicle braking and deceleration (known as regenerative braking), which is stored along with surplus energy from the fuel cell in the lithium ion battery pack, and is used to supplement power from the fuel cell, when needed. The vehicle's only emission is water.

Whats so good about the FCX? :
-a 20-percent increase in fuel economy (about 2-3 times the fuel economy of a petrol-powered car, and 1.5 times that of a petrol-electric hybrid vehicle, of comparable size and performance)

Cost: $600 a month to lease for a 3 year term. BUT WAIT: That 600 includes all maintenance and collision insurance. Additionally there still remains the tax credit which it does apply for.


While it does have drawbacks mostly including price and limited availability of hydrogen stations this car represent a big view on a possible future.

Hydrogen power produces water and it is possible to retrieve H from water itself. If the technology comes along hydrogen has the capacity to become a near unlimited resource.

Best way I'd describe this car is a vision of the future. Imperfect, but a pointer in the direction of Honda and its auto future.

Prius molestation allegations aside, damn Honda... awesome.
EDIT: now if they can only get that monthly lease price to go down a couple hundred, this could be doable

[GoHuskies]

Originally Posted by bLaCkAnGeL07

The interior is very Civic-ish and has the new Accord feel with the upper part of the dash. I actually really like it. I would drive it. But if the powertrain is successful in that car, they may decide to go with it in multiple vehicles, so I think I'd opt for the newer gen CRX theyre thinking about, or the production equivalent of the Remix, which if I recall correctly is supposed to have a hybrid powertrain?

I think it's the CR-Z which will have the hybrid powertrain for performance. Same car as the remix? Not sure...

Image what they could do if they combined this system with an existing all electric system and some more battery in a larger 2D exotic coupe. 450 mile range Tesla anyone?

I think THAT could be very Honda do-able. High performance exotic while keeping in line with their current emissions and eco friendly theme.

[dentrecords]

except for the back end, I'd say it looks very nice.. like an upscale civic sedan.

[ethlar]

im not sure why but i really like it

[DNieves]

For a bastard Prius offspring, this thing finally makes going green stylish! Toyota should fire all it's 90 year old designers and get some new blood. If it were cheaper and we had a hydrogen infrastructure I'd get rid of the tC.

[Utsaappt802]

I think it’s a great car/idea but why do they always have to make these hybrids look so ugly. It seems as they go out of their way to make them unappealing to the eye almost in a premeditated way to detour people from buying them due to looks alone. I smell a scandal here, looks like the government got to them too. j/k

[twistedframe]

I like it alot. I think the interior and exterior manage to look a good bit better than the majority of current eco friendly cars. If the lease price wasn't so high, I would really be interested in one of these as a DD. I mean 1.5x better fuel economy than a hybrid...doesn't that equate to like 75mpg or so? Also does anyone know how much you pay to fill up with hydrogen?

[jdmEGO]

sorry guys! But I think is hottt in white

[GoHuskies]

Originally Posted by twistedframe

Also does anyone know how much you pay to fill up with hydrogen?

All the stations this side of the Mississippi are state owned. No idea, but I got this from the hydrogen association site:

How much does hydrogen cost?
The estimated costs for producing and delivering hydrogen to the
fueling station using today’s technologies vary from $2.10/gallon of gasoline equivalent (gge) to $9.10/gge. These hydrogen costs do not include highway taxes and do include the increased fuel efficiency of fuel cell vehicles compared to gasoline-powered hybrid electric vehicles. That is, the driver of a fuel cell vehicle would pay the same amount to travel 100 miles on hydrogen as the driver of a gasoline-powered hybrid electric vehicle would pay for gasoline if the price was between $2.10/gallon to $9.10/gallon to travel that same distance.

If you figure that out there's the answer lol...

[02em2ex]

that speedo is teh shit

[Driving91LX]

I think the car is a great ice breaker. Down with oil dependence and long live alternate fuel!!
Can you imagine if all or most of our vehicles were like this? The clean air, the independence from countries we don't like, the possibilities? This car gives us a glimmer of hope.