Article Comments - 2009 Honda FCX Clarity First Drive

27 messages, Last post on Oct 23, 2008 at 1:29 PM

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What is this discussion about? Honda FCX, Alternative Fuels, Hybrid Cars, Sedan

First Drive: 2009 Honda FCX Clarity - The 2009 Honda FCX Clarity is fun to drive and also fun to be seen in. Best of all, the hydrogen fuel-cell sedan gets you where you want to go without burning a drop of gasoline. (more)

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#21 of 27 Honda FCX Clarity (2009) by andykhol23 May 26, 2008 (5:52 pm)
[URL]http://www.justmorecars.com/honda/2009-fcx_clarity/[/URL] [IMG]http://www.justmorecars.com/cat_img/honda/2009-fcx_clarity/800x600/honda-fc- x_clarity_2009_800x600_wallpaper_01.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.justmorecars.com/cat_img/honda/2009-fcx_clarity/800x600/honda-fc- x_clarity_2009_800x600_wallpaper_02.jpg[/IMG] Honda FCX Clarity Honda unveiled the FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle at the Los Angeles Auto Show, announcing plans to begin limited retail marketing of the vehicle in summer 2008. [IMG]http://www.justmorecars.com/cat_img/honda/2009-fcx_clarity/800x600/honda-fc- x_clarity_2009_800x600_wallpaper_04.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.justmorecars.com/cat_img/honda/2009-fcx_clarity/800x600/honda-fc- x_clarity_2009_800x600_wallpaper_06.jpg[/IMG] The FCX Clarity is a next-generation, zero-emissions, hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle based on the entirely-new Honda V Flow fuel cell platform, and powered by the highly compact, efficient and powerful Honda V Flow fuel cell stack. Featuring tremendous improvements to driving range, power, weight and efficiency - and boasting a low-slung, dynamic and sophisticated appearance, previously unachievable in a fuel cell vehicle - the FCX Clarity marks the significant progress Honda continues to make in advancing the real-world performance and appeal of the hydrogen-powered fuel cell car. "The FCX Clarity is a shining symbol of the progress we've made with fuel cell vehicles and of our belief in the promise of this technology," said Tetsuo Iwamura, American Honda president and CEO. "Step by step, with continuous effort, commitment and focus, we are working to overcome obstacles to the mass-market potential of zero-emissions hydrogen fuel cell automobiles." 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. Full details of the lease program will be set closer to launch, but current plans call for a three-year lease term with a price of $600 per month, including maintenance and collision insurance. American Honda is also developing a service infrastructure that provides customers with the best balance of convenience and the highest quality of service. When the FCX Clarity requires periodic maintenance, customers will simply schedule a visit with their local Honda dealer. American Honda will transport the vehicle to their fuel cell service facility, located in the greater Los Angeles area, where all required work will be performed. At the completion of the work, the customer will pick up their car from the dealer. How It Works The FCX Clarity utilizes Honda's V Flow stack in combination with a new compact and efficient lithium ion battery pack and a single hydrogen storage tank to power the vehicle's electric drive motor. The fuel cell stack operates as the vehicle's main power source. Hydrogen combines with atmospheric oxygen in the fuel cell stack, where chemical energy from the reaction is converted into electric power used to propel the vehicle. Additional energy captured through regenerative braking and deceleration is stored in the lithium ion battery pack, and used to supplement power from the fuel cell, when needed. The vehicle's only emission is water. Honda V Flow Fuel Cell Platform The FCX Clarity's revolutionary new V Flow platform packages the ultra-compact, lightweight and powerful Honda V Flow fuel cell stack (65 percent smaller than the previous Honda FC stack) in the vehicle's center tunnel, between the two front seats. Taking advantage of a completely new cell configuration, the vertically-oriented stack achieves an output of 100 kilowatts (kW) (versus 86kW in the current Honda FC stack) with a 50 percent increase in output density by volume (67 percent by mass). Its compact size allows for a more spacious interior and more efficient packaging of other powertrain components, which would otherwise be unattainable in a sleek, low-slung sedan. The FCX Clarity boasts numerous other significant advances in the performance and packaging of Honda fuel cell technology, compared to the current-generation FCX. These include: a 20-percent increase in fuel economy - to the approximate equivalent of 68 mpg2 combined fuel economy (about 2-3 times the fuel economy of a gasoline-powered car, and 1.5 times that of a gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle, of comparable size and performance); a 30-percent increase in vehicle range - to 270 miles; a 25-percent improvement in power-to-weight ratio, in part from an approximate 400-pound reduction in the fuel cell powertrain weight, for superior performance and efficiency despite a substantial increase in overall vehicle size; a 45-percent reduction in the size of the fuel cell powertrain - nearly equivalent, in terms of volume, to a modern gas-electric hybrid powertrain; an advanced new lithium-ion battery pack that is 40 percent lighter and 50 percent smaller than the current-generation FCX's ultra-capacitor; and a single 5,000-psi hydrogen storage tank with 10 percent additional hydrogen capacity than the previous model. FCX Clarity Design More than just a fuel cell vehicle - the FCX Clarity speaks to Honda's vision of the future of automobile design and performance freed from the constraints of conventional powertrain technologies. The FCX Clarity's four-door sedan platform features a short-nose body and spacious cabin with comfortable accommodations for four people and their luggage. Major powertrain components - including the electric motor, fuel cell stack, battery pack and hydrogen tank - have been made more compact and are distributed throughout the vehicle to further optimize space, comfort and total vehicle performance. Advanced Materials and Components In keeping with its theme as an environmentally-advanced automobile, the FCX Clarity features seat upholstery and door linings made from Honda Bio-Fabric - a newly-developed, plant-based material that offers CO2 reductions as an alternative to traditional interior materials, along with outstanding durability and resistance to wear, stretching, and damage from sunlight. Designed to appeal to forward-thinking customers seeking the ultimate in zero-emissions, alternative-fuel vehicle performance, the FCX Clarity is also equipped with a full compliment of advanced safety, comfort and convenience features, including a state-of-the-art navigation system with hydrogen station locations, backup camera, premium audio, climate-controlled seats and Bluetooth™ connectivity. Other improvements, such as shift-by-wire, electric power steering (EPS), and a newly-designed instrument panel with an easy-to-read hydrogen fuel-consumption display, further improve its customer appeal and ease of operation. CO2 Emissions The FCX Clarity's only emission is water. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions come only from the production of hydrogen, which varies by source; however,
#22 of 27 US actress to get the First Clarity FCX by gagrice Jun 29, 2008 (7:16 am)
The first production FCX Clarity rolled off the line just three weeks before the car's debut in front of world leaders attending the Group of Eight summit July 7-9 in Hokkaido Toyako. At a ceremony Monday at the Honda Automobile New Model Centre, Honda hosted three of the drivers who will have the first cars and showcased the new production processes. On hand to see how the cars they will drive are manufactured were actress Jamie Lee Curtis and her filmmaker husband Christopher Guest, and film producer Ron Yerxa. California drivers will have the FCX Clarity fuel cell car first, even before drivers in Japan. The first five customers, announced Sunday, are the actress Jamie Lee Curtis and her filmmaker husband Christopher Guest; film producer Ron Yerxa; business owner and car enthusiast Jim Salomon; actress and green advocate Laura Harris; and Jon Spallino, partner and chief financial officer of an Irvine, California engineering and construction firm and the world's first retail customer of a hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicle. Lease sales are scheduled to begin in July in the United States and this fall in Japan. The combined Japan-U.S. sales plan calls for production of a few dozen units within a year and about 200 units within three years. Not everyone thinks it is a step forward. Critics also point out that hydrogen is costly to produce and the most common way to produce hydrogen is still from fossil fuels. Analysis of the environmental impact of different fuel technologies has shown that the overall carbon dioxide emissions from hydrogen powered cars can be higher than that from petrol or diesel-powered vehicles. My question: What happened to the other 24 Fuel Cell cars? The FCX Clarity is based on Honda's first-generation hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, the FCX concept car. Honda delivered around 34 of these cars, mainly in the US, of which 10 remain in use. Replies to this message: bvdj84 (Jul 26, 2008 7:29 am)
#23 of 27 Re: US actress to get the First Clarity FCX [gagrice] by bvdj84 Jul 26, 2008 (7:29 am)
Replying to: gagrice (Jun 29, 2008 7:16 am) Also with a lease payment of $600 a month, is that really worth the savings? I would much rather pick a nicer car for $600. That certainly opens many doors when picking a leased car with that kind of payment. But, I do see the point of it, but the cost of ownership is too high for the benefit. Its neat to be able to see all the technology, but it will only help us, when we can provide it at a normal cost. That will take awhile, most are better off going elsewhere for savings.
#24 of 27 Staggering Misinformation by lgentry Aug 03, 2008 (2:13 pm)
A lot of antiquated thinking is going to have to be discarded berfore we can finally make the leap from a petroleum-based to a hydrogen-based transportation system. You not only have to contend with the Flat-Earthers (who don't beleive that any new technology can succeed) but also the Greenies (who don't want anything to work so we're all forced to ride bicycles). Some basic facts: hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe. It's what the stars run on. It's the cleanest substance you can "burn" to release energy. All you need to make it is water and electricity. All other fuels (ethanol, CNG, etc.) are simply stop-gap measures at best. None can match the cleanliness or abundance of hydrogen. One of the big gripes about wind and solar is that you can't store it when the wind's not blowing or the sun's not shining. But, if you use the electricity generated by wind and solar to crack water into hydrogen and oxygen you've just converted the energy into a storable medium. Hydrogen will require that we discard old paradigms that no longer apply--like the quaint 20th century idea of large-scale, centralized refineries (such as those used with crude oil). Hydrogen will require a decentralized approach--through onsite generation. Since all you need to make hydrogen is electricity and water, microgenerators can be built almost anywhere. You'll have a hydrogen generator right in your own garage. And fuel stations will be able to generate their own hydrogen for sale on site--there won't be any tanker truck deliverying hydrogen--they will be their own "refinery". Free your minds and embrace the new thinking of the future!
#25 of 27 Its still the car of the future by beefeater Sep 08, 2008 (1:19 pm)
I still think, that Honda FCX is the car of the future. If you would look decades back, engines using oil were so inefficient and polluting, but things have changed. Everything evolves, and so will production of hydrogen. The main feature of hydrogen fuel is what we take from earth we return it in the same form, kinda... not like burning all oil. I stand for the Honda and for the alternative fuel.
#26 of 27 Only 3 leased so far this year by gagrice Sep 26, 2008 (5:13 pm)
Does not look like Honda FCX Clarity is burning up the highways yet. Only 3 have been leased so far this year. At that rate it will be awhile before 200 are leased. Also finding someone to pay $600 per month for a Civic is a push. Fueling has to be very expensive also. Replies to this message: varmint (Oct 23, 2008 1:29 pm)
#27 of 27 Re: Only 3 leased so far this year [gagrice] by varmint Oct 23, 2008 (1:29 pm)
Replying to: gagrice (Sep 26, 2008 5:13 pm) There is a wait list. Well, no, I guess that's not quite accurate. All 200 are spoken for. Honda simply isn't building them that fast. Calling it a Civic isn't quite right either, given that the interior is more luxurious than most of the Lexus products. All in all, this thing is more exclusive than a Bently.