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Honda FCX Clarity Production Under Way
TOCHIGI, Japan — Unveiled today at the world's first, dedicated fuel-cell vehicle manufacturing center in Tochigi, 100 miles north of Tokyo, the road-ready FCX Clarity is nothing short of epoch making. In a high profile line-off ceremony attended by company CEO Takeo Fukui, over 700 factory workers and the international media, Fukui invited the world's first three retail customers of the stylish four-door sedan to come up on stage and receive their keys.
"We finally have a compelling product that not only clears all of the previous technical hurdles like driving range, weight and packaging, but now delivers dynamic styling, four doors, great ride quality, and all this — at a retail level," commented Fukui.
Business owner Jon Spallino, one of the three specially selected initial customers — and who was the world's first fuel-cell car customer having leased the previous FCX — said today that "the new FCX is very stylish and no longer looks like a toaster. And it drives superbly. Also, for someone with kids like me, it has four doors now, and that makes a huge difference for everyday use." He will not be the first to take delivery, though. Film producer Ron Yerxa, was selected as top batter and will receive his car in July. Paying a leasing fee of $600 a month for the privilege, Spallino and the third recipient, actress Laura Harris, will pick up their Claritys in the next few months, according to Honda.
Over the next 12 months, several dozen units will be delivered to specially selected clients in Southern California — and in Japan — who have suitable ZIP codes, in close proximity to hydrogen refueling stations. "We want people from all walks of life to experience this vehicle, and give us the necessary feedback to further the fuel-cell cause," said Project Chief Engineer Sachito Fujimoto. Honda plans to build 200 Claritys over the next three years.
The Japanese company has been able to achieve this milestone in fuel-cell car production thanks to significant advances in the specialized technologies involved. With curb weight down to that of a current V6 Accord but sitting on a unique platform, the FCX Clarity is a hydrogen-powered technological tour de force. Engineers have increased driving range by 30 percent up to 280 miles, added 25 percent to the fuel economy reaching 74 mpg, have significantly downsized the fuel-cell stack but raised its power output by 50 percent, and have even recalibrated the electric motor — over the FCX prototype — to generate 8 percent more power, now delivering 134 hp. That propels the car from zero to 60 mph in around 8.5 seconds on the way to a top speed of 100 mph.
Fukui says that he plans to bring a fuel-cell vehicle to mass production by 2016. If the technology keeps advancing at this rate and material and development costs can continue to come down — from the estimated $1 million per current FCX Clarity, "then we might be looking at a viable hydrogen-powered vehicle for the mass market at the price of a luxury car within eight to 10 years." And if current hydrogen station and dealer network developments are any indication, the infrastructure to support such vehicles would have kept pace, too.
What this means to you: With the FCX Clarity, Honda shows that the future of fuel-cell vehicles is now. — Peter Lyon, Correspondent
"We finally have a compelling product that not only clears all of the previous technical hurdles like driving range, weight and packaging, but now delivers dynamic styling, four doors, great ride quality, and all this — at a retail level," commented Fukui.
Business owner Jon Spallino, one of the three specially selected initial customers — and who was the world's first fuel-cell car customer having leased the previous FCX — said today that "the new FCX is very stylish and no longer looks like a toaster. And it drives superbly. Also, for someone with kids like me, it has four doors now, and that makes a huge difference for everyday use." He will not be the first to take delivery, though. Film producer Ron Yerxa, was selected as top batter and will receive his car in July. Paying a leasing fee of $600 a month for the privilege, Spallino and the third recipient, actress Laura Harris, will pick up their Claritys in the next few months, according to Honda.
Over the next 12 months, several dozen units will be delivered to specially selected clients in Southern California — and in Japan — who have suitable ZIP codes, in close proximity to hydrogen refueling stations. "We want people from all walks of life to experience this vehicle, and give us the necessary feedback to further the fuel-cell cause," said Project Chief Engineer Sachito Fujimoto. Honda plans to build 200 Claritys over the next three years.
The Japanese company has been able to achieve this milestone in fuel-cell car production thanks to significant advances in the specialized technologies involved. With curb weight down to that of a current V6 Accord but sitting on a unique platform, the FCX Clarity is a hydrogen-powered technological tour de force. Engineers have increased driving range by 30 percent up to 280 miles, added 25 percent to the fuel economy reaching 74 mpg, have significantly downsized the fuel-cell stack but raised its power output by 50 percent, and have even recalibrated the electric motor — over the FCX prototype — to generate 8 percent more power, now delivering 134 hp. That propels the car from zero to 60 mph in around 8.5 seconds on the way to a top speed of 100 mph.
Fukui says that he plans to bring a fuel-cell vehicle to mass production by 2016. If the technology keeps advancing at this rate and material and development costs can continue to come down — from the estimated $1 million per current FCX Clarity, "then we might be looking at a viable hydrogen-powered vehicle for the mass market at the price of a luxury car within eight to 10 years." And if current hydrogen station and dealer network developments are any indication, the infrastructure to support such vehicles would have kept pace, too.
What this means to you: With the FCX Clarity, Honda shows that the future of fuel-cell vehicles is now. — Peter Lyon, Correspondent
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