The Honda FCX Concept

The Honda FCX Concept is a very interesting car indeed, Honda’s second fuel cell vehicle concept after the original FCV Concept, and now it has been put into a limited run production and named the Honda FCX Clarity.

The limited run production is exclusively for southern California in the US. This is because there is already an existing hydrogen fueling station infrastructure there - 19 between Oxnard and San Diego with 3 more in the works. Even in northern California there are 6 hydrogen stations, with 6 more in the works.

Honda plans for the first delivery to take place in summer 2008, but details of the lease programme will only be known closer to launch. Tentatively, plans are for a three-year lease term with a price of US$600 per month (approx RM2050), including maintenance and insurance.

Honda decided to add the Clarity name behind the FCX concept name to express the idea that the company is offering a clear solution to the challenges of the future in terms of sustainable mobility. Mechanically, it is pretty much similiar to the FCX Concept. There has been a minor increase in power if I am reading the spec tables right - the motor used to put out 95kW but now it is putting out 100kW, or 136 PS. The V Flow fuel cell stack works similiarly and puts out the same 100kW as before - so I am not sure why the extra 5kW was missing from the FCX Concept before.

Archive for 2009 Honda City

This month’s issue of Autocar India carries computer generated images of the fourth generation Honda City (code 2PS) that’s due to be launched soon. We previously saw images of the City on test in India. Autocar India claim a November 2008 launch, which should mean the new City will find its way onto our local showrooms by early 2009. Honda R&D India was quoted to have issued a statement stating that the car is indeed a prototype belonging to Honda that is currently being tested to collect on road and climatic condition data, but declined to comment further on what it is or any possible launch dates. The 2009 Honda City bears little resemblance to the second generation Honda Jazz, unlike the previous generation which looked like an awkward 3-box Jazz with a boot stuck on. This time the City looks more like a sedan version of the European market FK/FN chassis 5-door Honda Civic hatch, which coincidentally actually has much more in common with the Jazz than its FD chassis Civic sedan brother. Hint: chassis built to take i-DSI engines and a torsion beam rear suspension. The current generation City we have here in our market has a wheelbase of 2450mm which was equal to the first generation Jazz’s 2450mm wheelbase. The second generation Jazz’s wheelbase has grown to 2500mm, but since Toyota’s rival Belta/Vios sedan’s wheelbase has grown to 2550mm, expect the City to have a longer wheelbase than the second generation Jazz and set new best-in-class interior space records following the footsteps of its Civic sibling. Something closer to the FK/FN Civic’s 2635mm wheelbase could be possible. In the engine bay you will find that the i-DSI engine has been discontinued for the latest generation of Hondas, instead a 1.3 or 1.5 liter i-VTEC SOHC engine is offered, with power outputs of 100 PS and 120 PS respectively. One more rear shot of the new City after the jump.

Honda Accord European version of the all-new 2009

Honda unveiled today the European version of the all-new 2009 Accord that will make its world debut at the Geneva motor Show next month. All the engines in the new Accord are equipped with the Euro 5 emissions system, available starting September 2009.


Significantly wider and slightly lower, the styling adopts a more emotional, sporty motif. The ‘sharp-edged’ design, with pronounced muscular wheelarches that emphasize the car’s wider track, gives the Accord a distinctive, strong stance with a solid, planted feel. The distinctive nose and more flowing lines deliver a tauter and more athletic shape.


First choice of engine is the new i-DTEC engine that delivers 147 HP at 4,000 rpm, and a peak torque of 350 Nm at 2,000 rpm. The 2.0-liter i-VTEC offers similar levels of performance to its predecessor – 156 PS at 6,300 rpm – but builds on its class leading fuel economy. Key technological changes include increased diameter intake valves, further optimized valve lift and timing and increased inlet and exhaust air flow volumes.


The 2.4-liter engine is more powerful, delivering 200 PS at 7000 rpm and peak torque of 233 Nm at 4500 rpm – up from 190 PS and 223 Nm. Behind the figures are a compression ratio increased from 10.5 to 11.0:1, larger diameter valves, revised valve timing, and reduced exhaust system pressures.
All three engines are matched to a 6-speed manual transmission, while both petrol engines have the option of a 5-speed automatic.

Honda announced the all-new Accord for Europe. Aimed squarely at challenging established premium contenders in the D-segment, Honda’s all-new Accord saloon and Tourer offer sporty styling, greater refinement and a unique package of safety systems, together with excellent dynamic capabilities. Strong environmental credentials in the form of an all Euro 5 emissions compliant engine line-up further emphasize Honda’s intent with the the all-new Accord.
Significantly wider and slightly lower, the styling adopts a more emotional, sporty motif. The ‘sharp-edged’ design, with pronounced muscular wheelarches that emphasize the car’s wider track, gives the Accord a distinctive, strong stance with a solid, planted feel. The distinctive nose and more flowing lines deliver a tauter and more athletic shape.
The evolution from the previous generation Accord is even more pronounced in the case of the Tourer, where a greater emphasis on load carrying practicality has evolved into a more dynamic expression of its advanced technology, while still retaining a strong degree of versatility and practicality.

2007 Detroit Auto Show – 2008 Honda Accord Coupe - Accord to Pass Camry?

2007 Detroit Auto Show – 2008 Honda Accord Coupe - Accord to Pass Camry?
There are two Mid-Size Cars that every buyer of a Mid-Size Car has to consider before selecting one of them, or moving on to another - the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry. These cars are in the consideration set of almost all Mid-Size Car buyers. On a rigid 5-year schedule, Honda is to introduce its all new 2008 Accord in Fall 2007. Honda used the 2007 North American International Auto Show to tip its hand about styling cues for the next generation Accord. it used the Accord Coupe Concept to do this.
Unveiling the Honda Accord Coupe concept did more than ‘wow’ those in attendance at the Detroit Show, it put Toyota on notice. The Accord Coupe Concept telegraphs cues that will be found on the upcoming Honda Accord Sedan.

Accord Has Been Top Selling Car As Recently As 2001, But Not In the Cards Now
The current Toyota Camry, which has been the top-selling passenger car in the USA for several years now and in its latest iteration is Motor Trend's Car of the Year, will again have a worthy competitor offering consumers a distinctive alternative. In the last 25 years the Accord has sat atop Car and Driver's 10 Best list all but 4 times. Accord was the top selling car in the USA from 1989 through 1991 and in 2001. The Camry has been the top-seller since it wrested the title away from the 1992 through 1996 king - the Ford Taurus for every year except 2001. Will the 2008 Accord again set the sales benchmark in its segment?
The answer to that question is NO. Accord will not become the sales leader until there is more production capacity added for Accord. At the present time, Toyota can out-produce Accord with its Camry and this is especially true since it began assembling Camrys at Subaru Indiana Automotive.

But back to the Accord Coupe Concept...

The Accord Coupe Concept deliberately fed us the exterior styling cues for the eighth generation Accord. Exterior styling seems to sit somewhere between a Scion TC and Infiniti G35 along with some Camry, 1st generation Lexus IS and maybe even Audi elements. The more aggressive styling and wider stance will help maintain and possibly strengthen Honda's position in the segment against Camry (and the Nissan Altima).
If Honda resists dulling down the styling cues in the production sedan they may have themselves a real winner.

With room for five and powered by Honda's next generation I-VTEC V6 with Variable Cylinder Management technology the Accord appears to have taken a proven, winning equation and brought it into the ring with the best in the segment.
An Accord with More Attitude - Don't Water it Down
For those interested in an Accord with more attitude I think the next generation Accord will deliver. Shot full of steroids the Accord concept hints at the next generation coupe and four-door having stronger styling cues including a longer hood, strong fender flares and bolder snout. Although more menacing in terms of aesthetics the Accord will still carry the social graces that make it a Honda. It will travel up to 29 miles per gallon on the highway thanks to the VCM technology and deliver many years of faithful service Honda owners have come to expect.

Low Emission Honda Roadster Breaks Cover

July 22, 2008– Honda's low-emission sportscar study model has been revealed at the British International Motor Show, at ExCel, London.

OSM (Open Study Model)The lightweight roadster design study is a concept showing Honda's core engineering principals, designing stylish and exciting cars that are also environmentally responsible.Named the OSM (for Open Study Model), the two-seater joins the confirmed-for-production CR-Z sports hybrid and FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel cell car on the Honda stand at the show."We're trying to show that low emission cars can be attractive," says Andreas Sittel, Project Leader for OSM. "There is no reason why a car that's more environmentally friendly can't look great too - and be sporty and fun to drive."The concept for the project was ‘Clean and Dynamic' - and this direction was followed for both the exterior and interior design, ensuring a joined-up, consistent ‘language' between the two. One example of this can be seen at the rear of the car, where the body actually extends into the cabin between the seats.The exterior design is a balance of smooth, rounded curves and sharp lines to provide definition in key areas. The headlights are cleverly integrated into the front end, stretching from the nose to the top of the wheel arches to look more like a part of the original body.Inside, this uninterrupted, fluid approach is continued, with long sweeping curves extending from both door panels to form a frame for the instrument display. The concept for the dashboard was to avoid creating the traditional block of ‘heavy' colour and material in front of the driver; in keeping with the clean and lightweight theme. For that reason, the dash is broken into sections, with the most important instruments in direct line-of-sight of the driver.Key information is displayed in a rounded, enclosed central binnacle, with levels and figures in bright blue on a black background. This matches the trim inside the car, with the seats and door furniture trimmed in a new, gloss-effect blue leather, accompanied by white leather sections, in line with the exterior body colour, a one-off paint called Mystic Pearl.The driver's main controls and functions are distributed in an intuitive layout, close at hand on a panel that curves downwards to the right of the driver. A centrally-mounted semi-sequential gear-shift points towards a fun-to-drive transmission, along with paddle shifts either side of the steering wheel. Integrated into the gearshifter itself is a red ignition ‘start' button, which reinforces the sporty direction of the car.The Honda OSM was designed by Honda's R&D facility in Offenbach, Germany. It's the latest example of the young talent being developed within Honda's design studios in Europe - following the Honda Small Hybrid Sports Concept (Geneva 2007) and the Accord Tourer Concept (Frankfurt 2007).At present, the Honda OSM is a design study model, and there are no plans for it to enter production.Honda's cleaner cars - a brief history
1972
The CVCC engine is developed for the Civic - a low-emission petrol engine that meets strict US regulations
1993
Honda wins prestigious World Solar Challenge with the solar-powered Type Dream car
1996
Honda EV Plus electric vehicle - capable of carrying four adults nearly 224km on a single charge - is presented to the public
1997
The Civic GX, which runs on natural gas, is available to buy in America. It becomes the world's cleanest car
1999
Honda launches the Insight - a petrol-electric hybrid car capable of 3.4 l/100km on the combined cycle, with emissions of just 80g/km of CO2
2003
Civic IMA hybrid saloon is launched, with CO2 emissions of 116g/km
2006
New Civic Hybrid goes on sale, with fuel economy of 4.6 l/100km (combined) and emissions of 109g/km
2007
A lightweight hybrid sportscar concept, named CR-Z, is revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show, and a version is confirmed for production
2008
The hydrogen fuel cell-powered Honda FCX Clarity rolls off the production line in Japan, and leasing of these zero emission vehicles starts in the US Honda unveils OSM study model at the British International Motor Show.
2009
A much more affordable hybrid car from Honda is due to go on sale in the Spring - making cleaner motoring technology available to more people

Honda FCX Clarity Fuel Cell Vehicle Lease Program Begins with First Customer Delivery

AutomobileJuly 25, 2008
Honda FCX Clarity Fuel Cell Vehicle Lease Program Begins with First Customer DeliveryZero-emissions vehicle now on the roads of Southern California
TORRANCE, Calif., U.S.A., July 25, 2008– American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced that Ron Yerxa and Annette Ballester took delivery of their hydrogen fuel cell-powered FCX Clarity on Friday, July 25, 2008 at Honda of Santa Monica, one of three dealerships in Southern California that are part of the first fuel cell vehicle dealership network. Yerxa and Ballester are the world's first FCX Clarity customers and the first of approximately 200 customers who will lease the vehicle in the United States and Japan over the next three years, with the vast majority of vehicles being leased in Southern California.

World's First Honda FCX Clarity Customers"The FCX Clarity lease program is one more step toward meeting the societal goals of climate stability, renewable energy supplies and zero-emissions transportation," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda. "With this key step, we are advancing toward the goal of broader commercialization," Mendel added. "Establishing a dedicated sales network and service infrastructure provides customers with the best balance of convenience and the highest level of satisfaction."Significant advances over Honda's previous generation FCX include a 25 percent increase in combined fuel economy to 72 miles/kg-H2* (74 mpg GGE ) and a greater than 30 percent increase in driving range up to 280 miles*. The FCX Clarity is a next-generation, hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicle. Propelled by an electric motor that runs on electricity generated in the fuel cell, the vehicle's only emission is water, and its fuel efficiency is three times that of a modern gasoline-powered automobile.
*
Based on official 2008 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

UPDATE 1-Honda to sell diesel cars in Japan by 2009-paper

TOKYO, June 13 (Reuters) - Honda Motor Co. (7267.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) plans to sell diesel-fuelled cars in Japan by 2009, the Nikkei business daily said, a move that could reignite the all but dead diesel passenger car segment in the world's third-biggest auto market.
While diesels make up more than half of new cars sold in Europe due to their relatively low emission of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, they have mostly been wiped out from passenger cars in Japan due to their poor image as dirty and loud.
But the powertrain is slowly gaining traction around the world since it typically gets 30 percent better mileage than gasoline engines, while tailpipe emissions have become much cleaner with new technology.
A spokesman at Honda, Japan's No.2 automaker, said no decision had been made on whether or when to introduce a diesel car in Japan, repeating the company's stance that it was simply under consideration.
Last year, Honda said it had developed a new and simple diesel powertrain that is as clean as gasoline-fuelled cars and would mount on it on a car for the U.S. market by 2009.
The Nikkei said Honda planned to introduce diesels also in Japan from 2009, and might speed that up to 2008. The engines would first be used in key models like the CR-V crossover and the Accord sedan, it said.
Executives at many Japanese automakers, including Honda President Takeo Fukui, have over the past few years warmed to the idea of a return of diesel-fuelled cars in Japan. Nissan Motor Co. (7201.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Subaru-maker Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (7270.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) are also keen to see diesels challenge the green image that gasoline-electric hybrids enjoy.
Toyota Motor Corp. (7203.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), which controls more than 40 percent of the Japanese market, has been notably lukewarm on diesels for Japan and the United States, saying the cost of developing an engine clean enough to meet the upcoming strict emissions standards there would be prohibitive.
DaimlerChrysler AG DCXGn.DE is so far the only automaker to offer a diesel passenger car in Japan, through the Mercedes E 320 CDI sedan. The German automaker has said orders have surpassed expectations, hitting 1,000 in April since its launch in August.
Diesel cars' weakness has been higher exhaust levels of nitrogen oxide (NOx), and carmakers are racing to come up with ways to meet what will be the world's toughest emission standards to be introduced in the United States this year.
Honda's new diesel drivetrain generates and stores ammonia within a two-layer catalytic converter to turn nitrogen oxide into harmless