This year's Los Angeles auto show will see the debut of Honda's third-generation fuel-cell powertrain, ensconced in its FCX cab-forward concept car (pictured), which debuted at last year's Tokyo Motor Show.
The FCX five-passenger sedan, not to be confused with the small FCX fuel-cell hatchback currently being road-tested in California and other states, will go into production "within three years" according to Honda. A system that Honda dubs the "vertical gas flow" fuel cell stack delivers more power in less space, and is compact enough to fit into the sedan's center tunnel.
Real-world testing of the FCX hatchback, coupled with the company's efforts to simplify infrastructure technology for hydrogen refueling (including its Home Energy Station), has probably put Honda well in the lead in the race to roll out the world's first production hydrogen-fueled car.
[Sources: Inside Line, Honda]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Whydrive @ Aug 28th 2006 4:25PM
Looks like the Prius designer went to Honda.
MikeW @ Aug 28th 2006 4:26PM
Looks way too much like the Dodge intrepid ESX, circa 1996
Cap'n @ Aug 28th 2006 4:39PM
Who cares if the styling is the latest or not, this car represents an end to the juggernaut that oil producers and oil companies will have on your wallet. Hook up the home refueling station to solar panels and you truly can device anywhere you want for free.
mike @ Aug 28th 2006 4:40PM
MikeW - That's *exactly* the first thing that popped into my head when I saw that pic as well!
G. Snyder @ Aug 28th 2006 4:51PM
"Who cares if the styling is the latest or not, this car represents an end to the juggernaut that oil producers and oil companies will have on your wallet."
Good use of the work Juggernaut (hint: that is a noun)
whofan @ Aug 28th 2006 4:54PM
Looks a lot nicer than a Prius.
dave @ Aug 28th 2006 4:56PM
Hey #5, he is using it as a noun. Hm.
Still, bad choice of words--"stranglehold" makes much more sense. I don't you can "have a juggernaut" on something ... Though the oil industry can certainly BE a juggernaut, in that it is "An overwhelming, advancing force that crushes or seems to crush everything in its path". (http://www.answers.com/juggernaut&r=67).
330R @ Aug 28th 2006 4:56PM
I'm glad that engineers rule at Honda. Meanwhile, people can't get past the resemblance of the styling to the old LH cars. The magic is underneath the skin.
Ferguson McSqueege @ Aug 28th 2006 5:08PM
Wow...Cab-forward, anyone?
I thought that fad was over.
Tommy @ Aug 28th 2006 5:16PM
That's the Japanese for you: A step ahead in technology, a step behind in design and execution.
DCX must sue.
Carchops @ Aug 28th 2006 5:35PM
ew... that design looks horrible.
http://www.carchops.com
Tri-Bob @ Aug 28th 2006 5:35PM
Forget grammar, forget styling, forget country of origin, forget country of final assembly. If we can design a vehicle that gets super low emmissions, it would be wonderful. Any links onto the actual fuel needed for this?
Bogey @ Aug 28th 2006 5:46PM
Ok, it's a step in the right direct (albeit a little step) but has anyone given any serious thought as to exactly *how* the hydrogen is produced?
You guessed it - by using fossil fuels. And right now (and likely for a considerable time to come) it "costs" more fossil energy to produce the hyrogen (i.e. to produce 10,000btu equivalent of hydrogen is gonna take more than 10,000btu's of hydrocarbon, or electricity).
Anyway, some interesting info here: http://www.nrel.gov/ and here: http://www.dalefield.com/slspartners/hydrogen_fm.html
As always, don't believe everything you read... even my links :-)
330R @ Aug 28th 2006 5:48PM
Tri-Bob, here's a link to good detailed information about the FCX Concept:
http://world.honda.com/Tokyo2005/fcx/
Mike from Scarborough @ Aug 28th 2006 6:07PM
I'd have some respect for Honda if they didn't rip off body designs,from DCX or Audi In the case of the new civic.
s @ Aug 28th 2006 6:14PM
to: 15. I'd have some respect for Honda if they didn't rip off body designs,from DCX or Audi In the case of the new civic.
Posted at 5:30PM on Aug 28th 2006 by Mike from Scarborough
You should have respect for them period 'cause they're the "way forward" that GM & Ford aren't.
Who cares if it's the design is cab-forward.... The new Civic is cab-forward and selling like hotcakes.
I knew this hybrid was going to debut at this year LA show.
electro^plankton @ Aug 28th 2006 6:22PM
This thing is gorgeous. It's profile may look Intrepid'ish but the rear and front is all COMPLETELY Honda, not to mention the interior.
s @ Aug 28th 2006 6:35PM
CORRETCION: I knew this hybrid was going to debut at this year LA show
I meant hydrogen not hybrid
Ryan @ Aug 28th 2006 6:38PM
"10. That's the Japanese for you: A step ahead in technology, a step behind in design and execution."
-I always thought the 1992 Honda Civic was the best looking economy car available in North America that year, what economy car did you think was the best looking?
Cap'n @ Aug 28th 2006 6:39PM
#13 bogey... You guessed it - by using fossil fuels. And right now (and likely for a considerable time to come) it "costs" more fossil energy to produce the hyrogen (i.e. to produce 10,000btu equivalent of hydrogen is gonna take more than 10,000btu's of hydrocarbon, or electricity).
Last time I looked the way to produce hydrogen was to electrocute water... last time I looked you can convert sunlight into electricity after an initial cost outlay for free... last time I looked the sun was to shine on the earth for another 4 billion years. So what is the issue?