Photo: Honda
Quite a few years ago, Honda was betting big on this new technology that involved fuel cells, electric motors and exhaust pipes that only spilled out H20 - or water, as we like to call it.
Time has moved on and while other manufacturers jumped on the wagon as well, this new technology that sounded too good to be true started to show its foibles.
For starters, it relied on compressed liquid oxygen, a substance very hard to manufacture, and just as hard to transport and store. A whole new infrastructure of special tanks had to be built around the world that would provide the fuel cell vehicles with their needed juice.
Apart from that, the proces through which liquid oxygen is obtained isn't necessarily very eco-friendly, which kind of negates the whole water coming out of the pipe thing.
And then there's another thing: how would you feel knowing there's a bomb in your car? Alright, a potential bomb. The oxygen has to be stored at a very high pressure to keep it liquid, so any puncture of the tank would lead to catastrophic events for the car and its occupants. It's bad enough driving with a tank full of highly flammable gasoline, thank you very much.
However, after the marginally successful FCX Clarity model, Honda has now revealed its newest fuel cell vehicle that goes by the unimaginative name of... FCV.
That interior, though, might just be enough to make us buy it, even though that would mean approaching the car with our eyes closed for the rest of our lives. It's clean, modern, and uses quality materials. It's also said to be quite roomy, even for five full-grown adults.
As far as performances go, there's little to be said right now, but Honda did confirm a 435-miles range (700 km) and high-output electric motors. Because Tesla.
More will be revealed once the car makes its full-debut at the Tokyo Motor Show that's about to start in one month's time, so stay put.
For starters, it relied on compressed liquid oxygen, a substance very hard to manufacture, and just as hard to transport and store. A whole new infrastructure of special tanks had to be built around the world that would provide the fuel cell vehicles with their needed juice.
Apart from that, the proces through which liquid oxygen is obtained isn't necessarily very eco-friendly, which kind of negates the whole water coming out of the pipe thing.
And then there's another thing: how would you feel knowing there's a bomb in your car? Alright, a potential bomb. The oxygen has to be stored at a very high pressure to keep it liquid, so any puncture of the tank would lead to catastrophic events for the car and its occupants. It's bad enough driving with a tank full of highly flammable gasoline, thank you very much.
However, after the marginally successful FCX Clarity model, Honda has now revealed its newest fuel cell vehicle that goes by the unimaginative name of... FCV.
Design-wise it looks like a continuation of the FCX, but in a slightly wrong direction.
The front end looks actually well, but things go south from there on as you move towards the back. Starting with the A-pillar, it's like the designers wondered back in time and decided to stop in the 80's. The partially covered rear wheel might have its aerodynamic advantages, but it's something I thought we decided we wouldn't do anymore a long time ago. And we can't even see the rear yet, since this is the only image available yet, but I have a feeling it won't do anything to change our impression.That interior, though, might just be enough to make us buy it, even though that would mean approaching the car with our eyes closed for the rest of our lives. It's clean, modern, and uses quality materials. It's also said to be quite roomy, even for five full-grown adults.
As far as performances go, there's little to be said right now, but Honda did confirm a 435-miles range (700 km) and high-output electric motors. Because Tesla.
More will be revealed once the car makes its full-debut at the Tokyo Motor Show that's about to start in one month's time, so stay put.
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