Autoblog

Now here's something worth giving thanks over. The podcast makes its return in time for you to load it on your iPod for the drive over the river and through the woods. We've been away at shows, so of course we do some recapping of whatever highlights struck our fancy at Tokyo, SEMA, and LA. We start Autoblog Podcast episode #81 by discussing pickups, though. New spy shots of the 2009 F150 have surfaced and that pushes us into a wider ranging discussion about pickemups. From there, we try to send GM the message that messing with the nose of the Solstice is a bad idea, and the very last car they should be worrying about, anyway. No current Pontiac discussion would be complete without mention of the G8, so we make sure to pontificate about that for a while, too. John, Damon, and Alex take a little time out to gloat over discuss what's currently in the Autoblog Garage, touch on the fact that the Scirocco's not coming stateside, and partake in a scorching GM vs. Honda/Toyota green car debate. It's all over in 52 minutes, thanks for waiting so long, we'll do it again soon!

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Click photo for Autoblog Green's FCX test drive.

At a demonstration of its FCX fuel cell concept in Los Angeles, Thursday, Honda confirmed what we reported in December: that they will have a limited number of FCXs on the ground for real-world testing in 2008. USA Today says Honda currently already has two FCX models leased to individuals for $500 month, but the company will add more next year. Honda claims the car gets the hydrogen equivalent of 68 mpg. For our money, we'll wait for the Sportwagen.

At the same event, Honda officials said they were also planning to sell a sub-$25k hybrid within two years to slot below the current Civic hybrid. They said the budget hybrid wouldn't look like other Hondas, claiming current Civic hybrid's sales were outnumbered by the uniquely-designed Prius.

Read about Autoblog Green's November test drive of the FCX here.

[Source: USA Today]

Honda released a brief press release, along with the above sketch, that outlined what we can expect to see from the Big H during next month's Geneva Motor Show.

The illustration is of Honda's Small Hybrid Sports Concept, which is in the same vein as Toyota's FT-HS concept that bowed in Detroit, but on more compact scale. No details were provided about what type of hybrid system would be employed, but something utilizing the Accord Hybrid's setup would certainly provide the prerequisite thrills if Honda is serious about merging fuel efficiency and high performance motoring.

Honda will also be displaying a fully functional FCX fuel-cell vehicle, along with a new clean diesel engine that meets the Tier II/Bin 5 requirements, as outlined by the EPA.

All these developments are signs of good things to come, making us that much more eager to pack our bags, board a flight and get over to Switzerland ASAP.

The full press release is posted after the jump.

[Source: Honda]

Honda recently demostrated its FCX Concept fuel cell vehicle to journalists at its reseach facility north of Tokyo, in which the FCX quietly moved at around 100 MPH on their test track. The futuristic FCX Concept is targeted for limited sale in the U.S. and Japan in 2008, according to Honda. The car uses a new fuel cell stack that can fit between the driver and passenger, instead of taking up space under the floor. The smaller size fuel cell stack is also more powerful than the previous one, while only weighing 148 pounds.

The FCX Concept is not exactly new, but this is the first we've heard of any definite plans to introduce a fuel cell vehicle to the U.S. with a specific design. Based on what we've heard before, the FCX will probably be sold at a premium price that may only be within reach of wealthy early adopters (i.e. celebrities).

[Source: Yahoo News]

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]

In a wide-ranging speech Wednesday covering Honda Motor Company's plans for future growth, president and chief executive Takeo Fukui said that the company is currently developing a new model based on the fuel cell technology that debuted in its FCX concept car (shown at right).

We first reported the company's plans for a production version of the FCX in our Detroit Auto Show coverage earlier this year, but this week's announcement suggests that Honda has accelerated development of the new car.

A driveable version of the new car will be unveiled this fall, and the production version will go on sale "within the next three years."

[Source: American Honda]