This is the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, an all-new production vehicle that will rival the Toyota Mirai.
Unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show, the Clarity Fuel Cell is powered by a fuel cell stack with an output of more than 100kW (134hp). It is also 33 percent smaller compared to the previous version of Honda’s fuel cell stack from the FCX Clarity and has a 60 percent greater output density at 3.1 kW/L (4.16 hp/L).
As for the electric motor, it has a maximum output of 130kW (174hp), delivering a “highly-responsive and exhilarating driving experience” as well as “excellent quietness”.
Honda says the fuel cell powertrain is as compact as its 3.5-liter V6 engine, which made it possible to place it under the hood of a sedan-type vehicle – a world first, according to the automaker. Thanks to this powertrain layout, Honda says the Clarity Fuel Cell has a spacious cabin that seats five adults comfortably.
But a more interesting and relevant characteristic of the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell is its driving range of more than 700 km (435 miles) – significantly more than the Toyota Mirai’s 312-mile (502 km) range. The Clarity Fuel Cell features a 70MPa high-pressure hydrogen storage tank which can be refilled in approximately three minutes – roughly the same time needed to fill up the tank of a gasoline-powered vehicle.
When combined with the Power Exporter 9000 external power feeding device, the Honda Clarity Fuel Cell can also function as a “power plant on wheels” that generates and provides electricity to the community in times of a disaster or other events.
Honda will begin lease sales in Japan of the all-new Clarity Fuel Cell in March 2016. During the first year, Honda will focus on sales mainly to local government bodies or business customers. Sales to individual customers will begin after this period in which Honda will collect feedback from users.
Honda will begin with small-volume production, then eventually expand production volume and begin regular sales along with lease sales. In Japan, the Clarity Fuel Cell will be priced from 7.66 million yen (approximately $63,630). The vehicle will later be offered in the United States and Europe.
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