Honda has announced that the Clarity Fuel Cell is available for both lease and purchase in Japan today. If you chose to own the FCV fully, it can be yours from 7,660,000 yen, which is equivalent to $67,350 at today's exchange rate.
Introduced at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show, the Clarity is the latest in a relatively long line of hydrogen-powered cars made by Honda. It's also going to be a thorn in the side of the Toyota Mirai due to its massive range of 750 kilometers per tank of fuel. Production will be limited as Honda doesn't believe the idea will catch on at first, but you have to respect them for trying.
Let's pretend that this is a regular car and examine the specs. The Clarity is quite big, measuring 4,915mm in length, 1,875mm in width and 1,480mm in overall height. Due to the weight of the fuel cell system, it weighs a hefty 1,890 kilograms.
The hydrogen is stored in tanks at 70MPa. Total volume is 141 liters, split between a 24-liter front tank and 117 liters at the back. Electricity is delivered to an AC synchronous motor with 130 kW from 4,500 and 9,028rpm, though it can spin all the way up to 13,000rpm. Torque figures of 300 Nm will be available from 0 to 3,500rpm.
Only three body colors are available: White Orchid Pearl, Crystal Black Pearl and Premium Brilliant Garnet (metallic red). In all cases, the roof is black with silver trim. The interior is either platinum gray or black and made of perforated leather. The headlights feature 9 LED projectors each. Around the back, the taillights are split by the regular sedan gate, and there's room for a golf bag.
Although we suspect that Clarity drivers are among the most careful in the world, every type of safety system has been fitted. There's front collision assist, lane assist, auto emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, and more.
Along with the Clarity, Honda is also introducing the Power Exporter 9000. It's a very expensive option worth about $10,000 and turns the fuel in the tank into regular current for houses. So if another Tsunami wave hits Japan, you can have several days' worth of current while you wait for the main to be restored.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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