2007 L.A. Auto Show: Honda FCX Clarity

• Competes with: Chevy Equinox Fuel Cell
• Looks like: Honda’s take on the Prius
• Drivetrain: Fuel cell
• Hits dealerships: Summer 2008, limited to 100 leases in Southern California

Automakers are so excited about hydrogen-powered cars that they’re building real working production models to put into consumers hands. That’s Honda’s plan with the FCX Clarity. Yes, it’s powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, which powers electric motors to propel the car. The FCX will be crash-tested and meet all federal regulations before it hits the streets. It will also get a window sticker that shows EPA adjusted mileage figures, which Honda says will be 68 mpg.

The 100 folks who are lucky enough to get on a waiting list and receive an FCX will have to pay a $600 a month lease fee for three years and live near a hybrid fueling station, like the ones in Santa Monica, Torrance and Irvine, Calif. We’re still years away from the FCX hitting showrooms nationwide, as the technology costs are well beyond even most B-list celebrity pay grades. Oh, and there’s not a hydrogen distribution infrastructure. But besides those two things…

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Comments

[JM]

honda did not just steal that grille from VW. first Honda Acura is stealing taillaights from the Q7 and A6, and now theyre trying to make off with the grille. They need to get their own styling already.

it might be innovative, but you could probably lease a BMW 7 Hydrogen for the same $$

[Daz]

IMO it looks better than the new Accord, but prolly too futuristic looking for the average Accord buyer!

[J]

JM,

I think the grill looks more like the new CR-V than just any VW.

I personally think the car looks good, except that they put some parts together from the left over parts bin. Like the wheels are from 7th gen Accord, speedo from 8th gen Civic, etc.

[Troy in Ft Walton Beach]

JM and J... This car has been on the design books for a long time. That may be the reason we are seeing some of those design cues. Let's not judge a book by it's cover. Let's first focus on the technology and concept of the car. Looks second.

[J]

Troy,

I would love to know the details of the vehicle, however, the only info on hand right this moment was mostly its look, therefore we were judging its look.

The only thing we know technical about the car is that it is a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle has a rating of 68mpg.

[Infosaur]

Yeah I remeber the concept predicting this almost 7 years ago, was it the FXC? They even kept the color.

It looked very Sid Mead, like what they thought the year 2000 would look like in 1975.

[Troy in Ft Walton Beach]

Thanks for the tidbit of info J! 68MPG is right up my alley!

[Dan]

68mpg? What does that even mean?

[J]

Troy,
You didn't even read the article before posting comments?

[Daz]

68 MPG means: 68 Miles Per Gallon!!

[Dub]

At the 2 hydrogen stations nearest me (riverside, santa ana) the price is almost $8/kg. A kilogram of hydrogen provides the same energy as a gallon of gasoline. Therefore the 68 miles per gallon is still more expensive than a reasonably-sized gasoline car at around $3.40/gallon.