Honda FCX clarity launched. World's first hydrogen fuel cell production car?

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Honda launched the FCX Clarity internationally yesterday, 16th June 2008. Already various papers are praising it as the arrival of the future, and the first batch of vehicles are to be delivered to few celebrities (who prefer to be on the greener side of the media)

The car is quite an achievement. It runs 620 kms in a single re-fueling, and does a top speed of 160 kmph and Honda claims the only thing coming out of the exhaust will be water vapour.

"Fuel-cell vehicles, which don't use fossil fuels and don't produce carbon dioxide, are necessary for the environment. We would like to make them more popular," Honda Chief Executive Takeo Fukui

Honda makes fuel-cell car | Reuters

Honda FCX Clarity - Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle - Official Web Site

[aaggoswami]

Its shocking! The car would take in hydrogen and only emession will be water vapour ?! Its certainly greener than Hybrids. The car looks good too.
And its officially available. A good move for sure.
Lets see what long term are the reviews of the car.

[Pankaj401]

Pictures of production line for FCX.

Honda Worldwide | June 16, 2008 "Production Begins for the New FCX Clarity Fuel Cell Vehicle"

Source: Honda Worldwide

[vvnagan]

In my opinion, the best looking Honda till date and a complete Hybrid to boot. An unbeatable package.
Is this launched in India as well? If yes, what is the cost?

[Pankaj401]

In my opinion, the best looking Honda till date

There have been better looking Hondas' including our own OHC not to mention the Legend, S2000, CRX Del-Sol et all. But that's my personal opinion.
But agreed that being a fuel cell powered car it's awesome.

[aaggoswami]

Originally Posted by vvnagan

In my opinion, the best looking Honda till date and a complete Hybrid to boot. An unbeatable package.
Is this launched in India as well? If yes, what is the cost?

I dont think that this car is coming soon to India. Civic Hybrid is coming by CBU route and it is already costing around 20lakh. This one will be above that. And where to fill in Hydrogen ?

[spadival]

Nice front end. But the side profile is soo NHC (i.e Yuck!!). In any case, a good move by Honda in productionising a hydrogen powered car. I guess they are the first in the world to do so!!

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by vvnagan

Is this launched in India as well? If yes, what is the cost?

No. Its only for the Japanese and Amercian market, as of now, if i read correctly. I don't think we have the infrastructure for filling hydrogen, even in the major cities.

But, by the way things are moving, future is going to come sooner than we expect!

[Pankaj401]

Even in US it's limited to the southern California. Not sure if you can buy it. Most likely only available on lease. $600 a month and restrictions on where you can drive it.

[karanraheja]

Great move by Honda. Does look good. Except that plastic part under the front grille. Not sure what it is.

[Shan2nu]

I'm sure it'l be great as a car but i really didn't like the side profile!!! I can understand they are trying to make it look futuristic but atleast make it look proportionate.

Front looks great though.

Shan2nu

[GTO]

This news comes across as bitter-sweet to me. Its awesome because Honda is experimenting with alternative sources of energy. Leasing cars out to customers has several benefits; real world testing with real world users, the layman gets an opportunity to experience future technology and last but not the least, its a massive boost (green green green) to Honda's image. Unlike the weirdo Insight, the FCX clarity looks much like a regular sedan. Honda obviously made notes on the Prius' success.

However, there are substantial doubts over hydrogen's applicability as fuel to the everyday passenger car. Honda has limited the FCX run to only about 200 in the near future; that tells me this is only a test rather than an indication of things to come.

Dont get me wrong...this is a mega moment. Full marks to Honda for such significant R&D on alternatives to petrol / diesel / CNG etc. Unless we experiment, we will never realise.

[funkydevil]

Hey,

Its a nie car n all. But arent hydrogen cars dangerous?? I mean im not against hydrogen cars n all but in the future when they become common, what if there is an accident, Hydrogen leak??