Honda: Clarity News
#41
The sizzle in the Steak
Originally Posted by phile
responding to the same quote twice...you need a hobby.
#45
B A N N E D
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: in Madison, WI from Chicago, IL
Posts: 3,001
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
its a 1st step in a good direction... i know they've been testing for a while but now its going to influence other automakers to do the same.
.... hopefully
.... hopefully
#47
Originally Posted by Ruski
looks like a bloated Civic.
#48
Senior Moderator
The all new Potato Bug. Only from Honda.
#50
Senior Moderator
Edmunds test drive: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=123662
Yeah, they love it. Too bad it's $$$$$$...
Yeah, they love it. Too bad it's $$$$$$...
#51
Originally Posted by Yumchah
Edmunds test drive: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=123662
Yeah, they love it. Too bad it's $$$$$$...
Yeah, they love it. Too bad it's $$$$$$...
#53
140,000 miles young
Honda FCX Fuel Cell ready US rollout
#56
Go Big Blue!
Limited for now. But, if they can solve the Hydrogen supply problem, this technology will take off like a wild fire.
I always hear about the problem of extracting enough Hydrogen to run all these cars. But, Hydrogen is the most abundent element we have. It's practically everywhere and in practically everything. It would be a much simpler problem to solve then getting our current fuel -- and we solved THAT problem already. We currently have to drill down miles into the ground, pump out a toxic goo, ship it or pipe it thousands of miles to a refinery to create the fuel, then truck that fuel to every corner gas station in America where we pump it into our cars and poison the air we breath. Acutally, when you think about it, our current fuel source is probably already the worst case scenerio. Anything has got to be better then that!
I've read they are already working on concepts for "home fueling stations" that would extract Hydrogen from natural gas already coming into your home. It is supposed to be cost effective even with current technology. Refueling stations in your home! Wouldn't that be cool. No more GAS stations on every corner! No more need to ship, pipe, and truck dirty oil all around the world.
Ultimately, the idea of extracting H2 from regular tap water is the answer. I understand it can be done very easily but it's just too costly right now and uses more electricity then is practical. But you know we'll solve that problem. And when we do, we're off to the races.
I always hear about the problem of extracting enough Hydrogen to run all these cars. But, Hydrogen is the most abundent element we have. It's practically everywhere and in practically everything. It would be a much simpler problem to solve then getting our current fuel -- and we solved THAT problem already. We currently have to drill down miles into the ground, pump out a toxic goo, ship it or pipe it thousands of miles to a refinery to create the fuel, then truck that fuel to every corner gas station in America where we pump it into our cars and poison the air we breath. Acutally, when you think about it, our current fuel source is probably already the worst case scenerio. Anything has got to be better then that!
I've read they are already working on concepts for "home fueling stations" that would extract Hydrogen from natural gas already coming into your home. It is supposed to be cost effective even with current technology. Refueling stations in your home! Wouldn't that be cool. No more GAS stations on every corner! No more need to ship, pipe, and truck dirty oil all around the world.
Ultimately, the idea of extracting H2 from regular tap water is the answer. I understand it can be done very easily but it's just too costly right now and uses more electricity then is practical. But you know we'll solve that problem. And when we do, we're off to the races.
#58
I'm ready, I'll even trade my RL. Great idea. We won't be able to totally wean ourselves off forgine oil yet, but what a great start. Maybe then oil will drop back to $30 a barrel.
Thank you Honda, call me, I'll take one today!!!
Thank you Honda, call me, I'll take one today!!!
#59
I disagree with unanimity
iTrader: (2)
The FCX achieves the equivalent of 68 mpg from its hydrogen fuel cell. Since a kilogram of gaseous hydrogen fuel is roughly equivalent to a gallon of gasoline, this Honda's 4.1-kg tank delivers a cruising range of 270 miles with 0.2 kg of fuel in reserve.
wouldn't that be 68 mpkg?
#61
Senior Moderator
American Honda plans to lease the FCX Clarity to a limited number of retail consumers in Southern California with the first deliveries taking place in summer 2008.
As Thumper stated, anything that can help to reduce our dependency on foreign oil (moreso than any environmental benefits) appeals most to me as well. Sticking it to middle eastern sheiks (but specifically to a particular Latin American communist dictator) is VERY appealing.
Performancewise, I would rather it be able to post a 0-60 time somewhere between 6.5-7.5 seconds in order for me to consider one as a replacement for my AV6.
#62
Cool! Eventually this should be a mainstream technology for cars. I still don't know how exactly it works but as long as those fuel cell producing factories aren't hazardous for our environment then I'm all for it.
#63
Safety Car
Problems
Is Hydrogen Still a Viable Solution?
Only a couple of years ago a hydrogen future was all the rage with both car companies and lawmakers alike but in more recent times we’ve seen many of the same supporters back away from the clean fuel. We saw dozens of hydrogen powered fuel-cell concept cars rolled out at car shows around the world and even saw BMW produce a limited run of hydrogen powered 7-series limos, which it leased to a number of celebrities to promote the technology, but the idea of a hydrogen economy still fails to ignite significant interest.
One of the main reasons for the movement away from hydrogen is because of the tens of billions of dollars required to develop the fuel infrastructure. The other major problem is that there are so many alternatives drawing research dollars, such as methanol, all-electric power, hybrids, fuel cells, ethanol and now plug-in hybrids, that it has become extremely difficult to focus on just a single technology, reports Automotive News.
The U.S. government hasn’t completely given up on the hydrogen society. The U.S. Energy Department, for example, has set a 2015 deadline for the commercial viability of hydrogen powered vehicles but even this is considered false hope. A new report from the Government Accountability Office, a congressional watchdog agency, says that deadline will have to be pushed back.
It’s not all bad news for hydrogen fans. Despite the negativity there has been some significant progress. The cost of mass producing a fuel-cell powertrain has fallen from about $3,000 per kilowatt of output in the early 1990s to about $107 in 2006, and the Detroit 3 are still spending billions of dollars on fuel-cell R&D. Then there’s Honda, which beat everyone to the table when it unveiled the FCX Clarity last year.
At the end of the day, the success of a hydrogen fueled society ultimately depends on the fuel being readily available and sold at a reasonable price. We have the technology, what we need now is the infrastructure, but with carmakers focusing on biofuels and rechargeable electric vehicles it appears the hydrogen society will remain just a pipedream
Only a couple of years ago a hydrogen future was all the rage with both car companies and lawmakers alike but in more recent times we’ve seen many of the same supporters back away from the clean fuel. We saw dozens of hydrogen powered fuel-cell concept cars rolled out at car shows around the world and even saw BMW produce a limited run of hydrogen powered 7-series limos, which it leased to a number of celebrities to promote the technology, but the idea of a hydrogen economy still fails to ignite significant interest.
One of the main reasons for the movement away from hydrogen is because of the tens of billions of dollars required to develop the fuel infrastructure. The other major problem is that there are so many alternatives drawing research dollars, such as methanol, all-electric power, hybrids, fuel cells, ethanol and now plug-in hybrids, that it has become extremely difficult to focus on just a single technology, reports Automotive News.
The U.S. government hasn’t completely given up on the hydrogen society. The U.S. Energy Department, for example, has set a 2015 deadline for the commercial viability of hydrogen powered vehicles but even this is considered false hope. A new report from the Government Accountability Office, a congressional watchdog agency, says that deadline will have to be pushed back.
It’s not all bad news for hydrogen fans. Despite the negativity there has been some significant progress. The cost of mass producing a fuel-cell powertrain has fallen from about $3,000 per kilowatt of output in the early 1990s to about $107 in 2006, and the Detroit 3 are still spending billions of dollars on fuel-cell R&D. Then there’s Honda, which beat everyone to the table when it unveiled the FCX Clarity last year.
At the end of the day, the success of a hydrogen fueled society ultimately depends on the fuel being readily available and sold at a reasonable price. We have the technology, what we need now is the infrastructure, but with carmakers focusing on biofuels and rechargeable electric vehicles it appears the hydrogen society will remain just a pipedream
#64
Senior Moderator
Pics from Geneva...
#65
Senior Moderator
Honda FCX Clarity is Official 2008 Indy Japan Car
From Worldcarfans...
You may not immediately link the Honda FCX Clarity Fuel Cell to indy car racing, but Honda have found a way. Since 2007 IRL IndyCar series racers have been using 100% ethanol fuel, a fuel with a low environmental impact, while the Honda FCX Clarity runs on hydrogen and emits just water.
During the third race of the 2008 IRL IndyCar Series at the Twin Ring Motegi track in Tochigi, Japan the FCX Clarity will pace the 18 race cars at the start. The Honda FCX will do this using its 100kW Honda V Flow fuel cell stack which should be capable of about 160 km/h tops.
The FCX Clarity is, for now, a Sourthern California only car and debuted at the 2007 LA Auto Show. Maybe that this event kick off the FCX' global conquest.
During the third race of the 2008 IRL IndyCar Series at the Twin Ring Motegi track in Tochigi, Japan the FCX Clarity will pace the 18 race cars at the start. The Honda FCX will do this using its 100kW Honda V Flow fuel cell stack which should be capable of about 160 km/h tops.
The FCX Clarity is, for now, a Sourthern California only car and debuted at the 2007 LA Auto Show. Maybe that this event kick off the FCX' global conquest.
#67
Senior Moderator
Honda FCX
<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6H2aQ9kXgcs&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6H2aQ9kXgcs&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
#69
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by S14 n Tsx
Thread Whore?
What's going on, dimsum?
What's going on, dimsum?
#70
Senior Moderator
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Better Neighborhood, Arizona
Posts: 45,641
Received 2,329 Likes
on
1,309 Posts
Its the old FCX
#71
Dayum... Yumchah's post whoring more than trev0006.
#73
The sizzle in the Steak
Fail
#74
Honda Unveils Japan Model of FCX Clarity Fuel Cell Vehicle - Leasing in Japan to begin November 2008
http://world.honda.com/news/2008/4080702FCX-Clarity/
July 2, 2008
TOKYO, Japan, July 2, 2008– Honda Motor Co., Ltd. unveiled the Japan model of its FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle, which will also be displayed at the Environmental Showcase at the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit that begins July 7, 2008. Leasing in Japan is scheduled to begin November 2008.
Initially, leases are to be limited to government agencies and certain corporate customers. Numerous FCX Clarity events are to be held beginning in 2009 at which the public will have the opportunity to come in contact with the FCX Clarity and gain a greater appreciation of the appeal of fuel cell vehicles.
Designed as a dedicated fuel cell vehicle, the FCX Clarity is powered by the Honda V Flow fuel cell stack. Thanks to the innovative layout of the fuel cell power plant, the FCX Clarity offers superior design, packaging and driving performance. Emitting no CO2 in operation, the FCX Clarity offers not only the ultimate in environmental responsibility but also real-world performance and appeal.
The new lightweight, compact Honda V Flow fuel cell stack offers significantly enhanced performance, with an output of 100kW (compared to 86kW in the conventional FC Stack), as well as enhanced cold climate performance that enables it to start in temperatures as low as -30°C. The lightweight and compact design of the FC Stack allows it to be arranged in the vehicle's center tunnel for a more spacious interior and an elegant, low-riding sedan form. Cruising range has been extended 30% to 620km.* The Japan model also features climate-controlled seats in the rear as well as in the front.
* In 10-15 mode (Honda Calculations)
The combined sales plan for Japan and U.S. calls for a few dozen units a year and about 200 units within three years.
< New Technology > · Honda Bio-Fabric: the world's first automotive interior covering made from plant-based materials
· Climate-controlled seats (front and rear)
· Compact, easy-to-operate transmission featuring Shift-by-Wire technology (a first for Honda)
· An extra rear window that enhances rearward visibility—privacy is maintained thanks to a layer of polycarbonate film that conceals the trunk room
FCX Clarity: Principal Specifications (Japan model) Number of occupants 4
Power train Motor Max. output 100kW
Max. torque 256N·m
Type AC synchronous electric motor
(permanent magnet)
Fuel cell stack Type PEMFC
(Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell)
Max. output 100kW
Lithium ion battery Voltage 288V
Fuel Type Compressed hydrogen
Storage Pressurized hydrogen tank
(35MPa)
Tank capacity 171 liters
Dimensions (L × W × H) 4,835 × 1,845 × 1,470mm
Vehicle weight 1,635kg
Maximum speed 160km/ h
Energy storage Lithium ion battery
TOKYO, Japan, July 2, 2008– Honda Motor Co., Ltd. unveiled the Japan model of its FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle, which will also be displayed at the Environmental Showcase at the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit that begins July 7, 2008. Leasing in Japan is scheduled to begin November 2008.
Initially, leases are to be limited to government agencies and certain corporate customers. Numerous FCX Clarity events are to be held beginning in 2009 at which the public will have the opportunity to come in contact with the FCX Clarity and gain a greater appreciation of the appeal of fuel cell vehicles.
Designed as a dedicated fuel cell vehicle, the FCX Clarity is powered by the Honda V Flow fuel cell stack. Thanks to the innovative layout of the fuel cell power plant, the FCX Clarity offers superior design, packaging and driving performance. Emitting no CO2 in operation, the FCX Clarity offers not only the ultimate in environmental responsibility but also real-world performance and appeal.
The new lightweight, compact Honda V Flow fuel cell stack offers significantly enhanced performance, with an output of 100kW (compared to 86kW in the conventional FC Stack), as well as enhanced cold climate performance that enables it to start in temperatures as low as -30°C. The lightweight and compact design of the FC Stack allows it to be arranged in the vehicle's center tunnel for a more spacious interior and an elegant, low-riding sedan form. Cruising range has been extended 30% to 620km.* The Japan model also features climate-controlled seats in the rear as well as in the front.
* In 10-15 mode (Honda Calculations)
The combined sales plan for Japan and U.S. calls for a few dozen units a year and about 200 units within three years.
< New Technology > · Honda Bio-Fabric: the world's first automotive interior covering made from plant-based materials
· Climate-controlled seats (front and rear)
· Compact, easy-to-operate transmission featuring Shift-by-Wire technology (a first for Honda)
· An extra rear window that enhances rearward visibility—privacy is maintained thanks to a layer of polycarbonate film that conceals the trunk room
FCX Clarity: Principal Specifications (Japan model) Number of occupants 4
Power train Motor Max. output 100kW
Max. torque 256N·m
Type AC synchronous electric motor
(permanent magnet)
Fuel cell stack Type PEMFC
(Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell)
Max. output 100kW
Lithium ion battery Voltage 288V
Fuel Type Compressed hydrogen
Storage Pressurized hydrogen tank
(35MPa)
Tank capacity 171 liters
Dimensions (L × W × H) 4,835 × 1,845 × 1,470mm
Vehicle weight 1,635kg
Maximum speed 160km/ h
Energy storage Lithium ion battery
#76
Driving Honda's hydrogen-powered Clarity
http://www.wheels.ca/articlecategory/article/420651
Ken Thomas
Associated press
Oct 17, 2008
WASHINGTON–For years, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have been the far-off technological bets of the auto industry – the car that holds the promise of gasoline-free driving.
Honda Motor Co. is starting to give a small number of drivers a glimpse into the future.
The Honda FCX Clarity debuted in July, and the automaker is leasing about 200 of the cars to customers in Southern California during the next three years. Tens of thousands of car enthusiasts have applied to be among the first to lease – and for good reason.
Stylish and smooth, the Clarity opens a window into the possible: the combination of environmental responsibility and zero emissions with a fun, hip ride.
If only refuelling was a matter of pulling into the nearest filling station.
The Clarity is emerging at a difficult stretch for the auto industry, a year in which sales have been choked by a battered economy and a major credit crunch. So it might be easy to shrug it off as another advanced vehicle relegated to auto shows and the garages of the super rich.
As with any hydrogen car, there are caveats galore. Finding a hydrogen fuelling station can be like getting a car loan with lousy credit these days. And most hydrogen is extracted from natural gas, releasing carbon dioxide and undercutting the emissions-free argument.
Honda's marketing of the car may also draw some skepticism. The company is offering three-year leases to a select few for $600 a month, which includes maintenance and collision coverage. Actress Jamie Lee Curtis and her husband, filmmaker Christopher Guest, have one. Other Clarity pioneers include Actress Laura Harris and Little Miss Sunshine producer Ron Yerxa, making it easy to dismiss the car as a Hollywood publicity stunt.
But on its merits, the Clarity delivers. It offers quiet, steady acceleration, high torque and a 450-kilometre range, allowing the driver to enjoy the ride instead of worrying about finding the next refill.
Previous generations of Honda's fuel cell vehicles have resembled futuristic econoboxes – small, workmanlike and unpractical. The latest version is more refined, helped by a smaller and lighter fuel cell stack that is more easily packaged into a sedan. (The Clarity is about 10 cm shorter than a Honda Accord.)
In the fuel cell, hydrogen is combined with oxygen to generate electricity that powers the vehicle's motor. The water vapour that's produced exits through the tailpipe. The Clarity has a backup 288-volt lithium-ion battery pack, recharged by the car's deceleration, to provide more power when needed.
The cockpit is fun and innovative. The start button next to the center console starts the fuel cell stack. The display in the dashboard includes a dot that changes color and size as your hydrogen consumption grows, making it easy to monitor mileage.
A meter display on the dashboard charts battery levels and motor output. The speedometer was wisely placed above the cockpit display, in your sight line, to keep your eyes on the road. The interior is covered with plant-based fabrics.
The compressor that supplies oxygen to the fuel cell makes a whining sound. While the whirls and lack of engine vibrations at stoplights may require some getting used to, the 134-horsepower electric motor, with 189 lb.-ft. of torque, offered smooth acceleration in city driving. On the highway, the Clarity easily surpassed 110 km/h without feeling compromised.
The Clarity's tank holds 4.1 kilograms (9 pounds) of compressed hydrogen, and the car gets about 123 km per kilogram in the city, 107 km per kilogram on the highway and 115 km per kilogram in combined driving. Honda says that equates to 2.97 L/100 km (79 miles per U.S. gallon) around town, 3.45 L/100 km (68 mpg) on the highway and about 3.17 L/100 km (74 mpg) overall.
Honda is leasing the Clarity to customers in the Los Angeles area because of the proximity to three 24-hours-a-day public hydrogen stations.
If I could lease a Clarity here in Washington, D.C., I would have to rely on one Shell Station, but the vehicle would offer savings compared with similar vehicles.
In Washington, hydrogen was selling for $8.18 (U.S.) per kilogram, meaning a driver would spend that much to travel 115 km in the Clarity. A four-cylinder Honda Accord with an automatic transmission gets 24 mpg (9.8 L/100 km) combined, so a driver would use three gallons of gasoline – spending about $3.30 a gallon, or almost $10 – to travel the same distance.
The lack of fuelling stations will limit the reach of these vehicles for many years, but Honda is working on a home-fill unit that would connect to a residential natural gas line, generating hydrogen for your vehicle and heat and electricity for your home. The automaker, like others in the industry, note that hydrogen could be produced abundantly from renewable sources like wind energy.
Beyond the refueling problems, the car has some quirks. Instead of a traditional gear selector, the car has a small electronic shifter near the steering wheel that was awkward to use. The rear window seemed to limit visibility.
As with any advanced vehicle, the car created a stir around town. Fellow drivers craned their necks to check out the car, and plenty of pedestrians furrowed their eyebrows, as if to say, "What is that?" When I turned around at a gas station in northern Virginia, where gas was selling for $3.89 a gallon at the time, a man in a Redskins jersey turned to his friends and pointed at the car, his mouth agape.
Honda has not released the cost, but the price is out of reach for typical car shoppers. With production limited to just hundreds, some analysts have estimated it would cost $200,000.
The Clarity, and any hydrogen fuel cell for that matter, has plenty of question marks and hurdles. But it gives us a sense of what lies ahead.
In an age of sluggish sales and tough times for the auto industry, the art of the possible may not mean much now. But the Clarity offers evidence that the futuristic advanced vehicles of tomorrow may be closer than we think.
Associated press
Oct 17, 2008
WASHINGTON–For years, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have been the far-off technological bets of the auto industry – the car that holds the promise of gasoline-free driving.
Honda Motor Co. is starting to give a small number of drivers a glimpse into the future.
The Honda FCX Clarity debuted in July, and the automaker is leasing about 200 of the cars to customers in Southern California during the next three years. Tens of thousands of car enthusiasts have applied to be among the first to lease – and for good reason.
Stylish and smooth, the Clarity opens a window into the possible: the combination of environmental responsibility and zero emissions with a fun, hip ride.
If only refuelling was a matter of pulling into the nearest filling station.
The Clarity is emerging at a difficult stretch for the auto industry, a year in which sales have been choked by a battered economy and a major credit crunch. So it might be easy to shrug it off as another advanced vehicle relegated to auto shows and the garages of the super rich.
As with any hydrogen car, there are caveats galore. Finding a hydrogen fuelling station can be like getting a car loan with lousy credit these days. And most hydrogen is extracted from natural gas, releasing carbon dioxide and undercutting the emissions-free argument.
Honda's marketing of the car may also draw some skepticism. The company is offering three-year leases to a select few for $600 a month, which includes maintenance and collision coverage. Actress Jamie Lee Curtis and her husband, filmmaker Christopher Guest, have one. Other Clarity pioneers include Actress Laura Harris and Little Miss Sunshine producer Ron Yerxa, making it easy to dismiss the car as a Hollywood publicity stunt.
But on its merits, the Clarity delivers. It offers quiet, steady acceleration, high torque and a 450-kilometre range, allowing the driver to enjoy the ride instead of worrying about finding the next refill.
Previous generations of Honda's fuel cell vehicles have resembled futuristic econoboxes – small, workmanlike and unpractical. The latest version is more refined, helped by a smaller and lighter fuel cell stack that is more easily packaged into a sedan. (The Clarity is about 10 cm shorter than a Honda Accord.)
In the fuel cell, hydrogen is combined with oxygen to generate electricity that powers the vehicle's motor. The water vapour that's produced exits through the tailpipe. The Clarity has a backup 288-volt lithium-ion battery pack, recharged by the car's deceleration, to provide more power when needed.
The cockpit is fun and innovative. The start button next to the center console starts the fuel cell stack. The display in the dashboard includes a dot that changes color and size as your hydrogen consumption grows, making it easy to monitor mileage.
A meter display on the dashboard charts battery levels and motor output. The speedometer was wisely placed above the cockpit display, in your sight line, to keep your eyes on the road. The interior is covered with plant-based fabrics.
The compressor that supplies oxygen to the fuel cell makes a whining sound. While the whirls and lack of engine vibrations at stoplights may require some getting used to, the 134-horsepower electric motor, with 189 lb.-ft. of torque, offered smooth acceleration in city driving. On the highway, the Clarity easily surpassed 110 km/h without feeling compromised.
The Clarity's tank holds 4.1 kilograms (9 pounds) of compressed hydrogen, and the car gets about 123 km per kilogram in the city, 107 km per kilogram on the highway and 115 km per kilogram in combined driving. Honda says that equates to 2.97 L/100 km (79 miles per U.S. gallon) around town, 3.45 L/100 km (68 mpg) on the highway and about 3.17 L/100 km (74 mpg) overall.
Honda is leasing the Clarity to customers in the Los Angeles area because of the proximity to three 24-hours-a-day public hydrogen stations.
If I could lease a Clarity here in Washington, D.C., I would have to rely on one Shell Station, but the vehicle would offer savings compared with similar vehicles.
In Washington, hydrogen was selling for $8.18 (U.S.) per kilogram, meaning a driver would spend that much to travel 115 km in the Clarity. A four-cylinder Honda Accord with an automatic transmission gets 24 mpg (9.8 L/100 km) combined, so a driver would use three gallons of gasoline – spending about $3.30 a gallon, or almost $10 – to travel the same distance.
The lack of fuelling stations will limit the reach of these vehicles for many years, but Honda is working on a home-fill unit that would connect to a residential natural gas line, generating hydrogen for your vehicle and heat and electricity for your home. The automaker, like others in the industry, note that hydrogen could be produced abundantly from renewable sources like wind energy.
Beyond the refueling problems, the car has some quirks. Instead of a traditional gear selector, the car has a small electronic shifter near the steering wheel that was awkward to use. The rear window seemed to limit visibility.
As with any advanced vehicle, the car created a stir around town. Fellow drivers craned their necks to check out the car, and plenty of pedestrians furrowed their eyebrows, as if to say, "What is that?" When I turned around at a gas station in northern Virginia, where gas was selling for $3.89 a gallon at the time, a man in a Redskins jersey turned to his friends and pointed at the car, his mouth agape.
Honda has not released the cost, but the price is out of reach for typical car shoppers. With production limited to just hundreds, some analysts have estimated it would cost $200,000.
The Clarity, and any hydrogen fuel cell for that matter, has plenty of question marks and hurdles. But it gives us a sense of what lies ahead.
In an age of sluggish sales and tough times for the auto industry, the art of the possible may not mean much now. But the Clarity offers evidence that the futuristic advanced vehicles of tomorrow may be closer than we think.
#77
Safety Car
World Green Car of the Year
Honda FCX Clarity Wins World Green Car of the Year
The title is a relatively new one, but is still prestigious and sought-after by most major carmakers
The title is a relatively new one, but is still prestigious and sought-after by most major carmakers
The World Green Car of the Year is a sub-award of the annual World Car of the Year (WCOTY) handed out by a dedicated organization and chosen by a selection of journalist jurors from around the world. Inaugurated with the award of the Honda Civic Hybrid in 2006, today at the New York Auto Show another Honda was given the award. Taking out top honors for the 2009 World Green Car of the Year awards was the Honda FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle.
This year a wide array of production and experimental vehicles were selected, including everything from 'TetraFuel' cars to pure electrics. Because the rules state that production cars must be all-new and available for purchase in at least one major market between January 1 and December 31, 2008, in order to be eligible, there were some odd omissions (the Toyota Prius and VW Jetta TDI, for example) while some other oddballs - like the Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon Hybrid and Mitsubishi i-MiEV - made the list.
While you may argue that cars like the i-MiEV and FCX Clarity are not readily available, the rules stipulate that a vehicle can be an experimental prototype with potential near-future application, provided that it was released for individual or press fleet evaluations in quantities of just 10 or more during 2008.
The FCX Clarity was eventually chosen from an initial entry list of 22 contenders nominated by 59 World Car jurors from 25 countries throughout the world. The jurors felt that “The FCX clarity is an utterly real, hydrogen-fuelled luxury sedan that provides the amenities people expect in a premium car with 430km range, fuel consumption of about 3.3 L/100km (72 mpg US) equivalent and zero tailpipe emissions.
Vehicles originally eligible for the 2009 Green World Car of the Year award:
Audi Q7 3.0 TDI
BMW 335d BluePerformance
Chevrolet Tahoe / GMC Yukon Hybrid
Citroën C1
Fiat Palio Weekend Electric
Fiat Siena Tetrafuel model
Honda FCX Clarity
Mazda Hydrogen Rotary RX8
Mercedes-Benz ML/R/GL 320 BlueTEC
MINI Cooper D
MINI E
Mitsubishi i-MiEV
Nissan X-Trail 20 GT
smart ed
Subaru Legacy/Outback PZEV
Tesla Electric Roadster
Toyota iQ
Volvo C30 1.6D DRIVe
Volvo S40 1.6D DRIVe
Volvo S80 2.5 FT (Flexifuel)
Volvo V50 1.6D DRIVe
Volvo V70 2.5 FT (Flexifuel)
Audi Q7 3.0 TDI
BMW 335d BluePerformance
Chevrolet Tahoe / GMC Yukon Hybrid
Citroën C1
Fiat Palio Weekend Electric
Fiat Siena Tetrafuel model
Honda FCX Clarity
Mazda Hydrogen Rotary RX8
Mercedes-Benz ML/R/GL 320 BlueTEC
MINI Cooper D
MINI E
Mitsubishi i-MiEV
Nissan X-Trail 20 GT
smart ed
Subaru Legacy/Outback PZEV
Tesla Electric Roadster
Toyota iQ
Volvo C30 1.6D DRIVe
Volvo S40 1.6D DRIVe
Volvo S80 2.5 FT (Flexifuel)
Volvo V50 1.6D DRIVe
Volvo V70 2.5 FT (Flexifuel)
#78
The sizzle in the Steak
...so how long before Honda drops-out of fuel-cell tech like they did with diesel and CNG?
#80
The sizzle in the Steak
I hope you a right. I don't understand why they are so gung-ho for hybrids.
CNG Civic is/was great...and with the glutton of worldwide CNG coming down the pipe in the next few years...CNG seems like the better next step than hybrids.
Fuel Cell & hydrogen vehicles ...and to a lessor, CNG powered vehicles are a far better future than hybrids.
CNG Civic is/was great...and with the glutton of worldwide CNG coming down the pipe in the next few years...CNG seems like the better next step than hybrids.
Fuel Cell & hydrogen vehicles ...and to a lessor, CNG powered vehicles are a far better future than hybrids.