It's said to showcase the exterior and interior styling evolution of Honda’s next zero-emissions hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle that's expected to be launched in Japan in 2016, ahead of the US and Europe.
Honda says the car has a spacious five-seat cabin, a battery range of around 480km and anticipated hydrogen refuel time of about three minutes at a pressure of 70 MPa.
SMALLER, MORE POWER
Its fuel-cell stack, which fits entirely under the bonnet, is a third smaller but with 60% more power density than the outgoing Honda FCX Clarity.
As the next progression in Honda’s dynamic FCV styling, Honda says, this the latest concept has a low and wide aerodynamic body with clean character lines. "The interior strives to achieve harmony between man and machine," the company says, "by taking advantage of new power-train packaging efficiencies delivering more passenger space than the four-seaterClarity.
The Honda FCV Concept had its world debut in Japan on November 17 2014, followed by an announcement at the Los Angeles auto show that Honda would provide FirstElement Fuel (hydrogen) in the US with $13.8-million in financial assistance to build additional hydrogen fuelling stations throughout California in an effort to support the wider introduction of fuel-cell vehicles.
SERIES OF 'FIRSTS'
In 2003 the FCX became the first fuel-cell vehicle to start and operate in sub-freezing temperatures and in 2005 the first FCV to be leased to an individual.
Honda’s commitment to fuel-cell development was further underlined in 2008 when it became the first manufacturer to build and produce a fuel-cell vehicle on a dedicated production line and the first to create a fuel-cell vehicle dealer network.