Honda introduced the FCX Clarity, a Hydrogen powered vehicle that does not cause damage to the environment in Los Angeles (USA). A news really worthy to be celebrated. Finally, two years after the presentation of the first FCX prototype at the 2005 Tokyo Show, FCX Clarity reaches the streets that are so badly needed from this class of vehicles.
The Honda FCX Clarity will be available to the public from mid-2008. This car will not be sold but will be rented to users for a period of three years. In this new modality, for a reasonable monthly fee, the client ensures to cover all expenses arising from maintenance and insurance in case of accidents.
The United States already has another similar program called “Project Driveway”, developed by General Motors. Meanwhile, Honda reported that its program will be superior in terms of customer service delivery. In turn, it also reduces delays in paperwork, as any customer located in Los Angeles will be able to go to a Honda dealer, sign the required documentation and pick up the vehicle instantly.
Initially, cars will be available only to those located in areas where there are hydrogen stations. It is worth noting that the Honda FCX Clarity has a generous range of 435 kilometers with a tank full of hydrogen compressed at 5000 pounds per square inch. Its only emanation will be water vapor.
The Honda FCX Clarity is the result of years of work by the Japanese firm. This car derives directly from previous concept cars such as the FCX presented at the 2005 Tokyo Show and the Kiwami concept originally exhibited at the 2003 Tokyo Show.
The design of the FCX Clarity shows how Honda maintained the overall characteristics already seen in the above prototypes. In terms of size and proportions, this car maintains a long wheelbase and increases the length of its overhangs, although the diameter of its wheels is smaller.
The profile of this sedan shows a very dynamic line of new generations of large 4-door cars. The fluid line between the roof and the tail is what aesthetically highlights it as a new generation car.
The features resemble this car with its other Honda pairs, such as the Insight and the European line of the new Civic hatchback.
Inside you can also see the aesthetics of the latest generation car, also similar to the concepts FCX and Kiwami. The cabin is very spacious. It has multiple displays of information on various levels, similar to those of the new Civic. It also features I-Drive system and a large center console.
It remains only to mention that ventures like this are the ones that will really forge tomorrow's automotive industry. A morning that is not as distant as it is believed, where both needs and resources will not be the same.
© Adrián Blanco 2007 - No full or partial reproduction of text and/or images without explicit written consent of the author. —
Ford Fiesta 2009
Toyota iQ