Honda FCEV Previews the Company's Next Generation Hydrogen Fuel Cell

HondaHondaJapan, 1948 > present102 models
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plans to have a hydrogen fuel cell sedan on sale in the US and Japan by 2015, and it unveiled its new FCEV Concept at the LA Auto Show. While the styling of the car is quite wild, Honda says that the concept shows a potential styling direction for the sedan.

The simplest explanation of the look of the FCEV is if Honda put the current InsightHonda Insight Gen.2Japan, 2010 > present17 versions
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in a taffy puller and stretched it out while squishing it down. The lines are still there from the Insight but are much longer. The similarities are most obvious at the front of the vehicle, and as the eye moves rearward, the design becomes more differentiated. The FCEV has partially concealed rear tires to maximize aerodynamics.

"The Honda FCEV Concept hints at Honda's future direction for fuel-cell vehicles. While this car is a concept, it points toward a very real future,” said Tetsuo Iwamura, president and CEO of American Honda.

Honda is promising that the entire powertrain of the production version will be packaged in the front engine area. This allows for more cabin space and makes the powertrain more modular to be used in future vehicles.

The fuel cell produces 134hp, and in the latest generation of fuel cell tech, Honda has reduced its size by a third, while increasing power by 60%. The car is slated to have a range of 300 miles.

Honda was the first automaker in the world to offer a fuel cell vehicle for sale with the FCX ClarityHonda FCX ClarityJapan, 2010 > present3 photos
in 2002. It has sold around 50 of them in Southern California.