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2006 HONDA CLARITY WHAT HONDA HAS TO SAY ABOUT THIS CAR: Image/Text Source: Honda Motors The fuel cell vehicle is the ultimate in clean performance. But Honda believes cars should always be fun, too - the stuff of dreams. So when Honda set out to develop a fuel cell vehicle, the goal was to make it a car that delivers driving and aesthetic pleasure as well as outstanding environmental performance. Honda has led the way in developing and improving fuel cell vehicle performance. Now the company is moving on to the next phase, exploring the enormous potential for layout versatility that is made possible by the fuel cell powerplant. This flexibility gives the fuel cell vehicle a new appeal that can set it apart from the internal combustion engine vehicle. That's why Honda engineers have cleared away all preconceived notions of automobile design, challenging themselves to discover the new possibilities that can only be realized with the fuel cell vehicle. The development team chose the word 'free' to represent the design approach: free from preconceptions, free from common assumptions. Free earth from
environmental burden and from limits on where vehicles can be used First, Honda engineers set out to achieve the next advance in fuel cell stack design. The result was the V Flow Honda FC Stack, which delivers outstanding improvements in lightweight, compact, high-output performance. The team also made the fuel cell system, drive motor, hydrogen storage, and other powertrain components more compact. We took advantage of the fuel cell vehicle's unique layout possibilities to create a revolutionary new platform with a low center of gravity for sporty stable driving performance. And the electric motor drive provides a distinctive sense of power and a feeling that accleration will go on forever for an all-new dimension in driving feel. Honda has created the first of a new era of personal mobility: the FCX Clarity. The future of the automobile is about to change - and become a whole lot more fun. Honda has embarked on the next stage in the development of the fuel cell vehicle. The new drive motor configuration was developed to deliver more powerful acceleration and a higher top speed, along with a quieter, more luxurious ride. The new rotor and stator feature a combined reluctance-torque, low-loss magnetic circuit and full-range, full-digital vector control to achieve high efficiency and high output over a wide speed range. The innovative shape and layout of the magnets in the rotor result in high-output, high-torque, high-rpm performance. These innovations deliver a maximum output of 100 kW along with impressive torque and power output density. At the same time, resonance points in the high-frequency range have been eliminated for quieter operation. A newly designed rotor features an Interior Permanent Magnet (IPM) to lower inductance, improving reluctance torque to deliver high-torque performance. The magnet's high-energy characteristics also contribute to high torque and a more compact design. These innovations result in 50% higher output density and 20% higher torque density. The number of poles has also been reduced and the magnet made wider to better withstand stress, allowing the yoke to wrap around the outside of the IPM. A center rib has been installed for greater rigidity. This more robust construction allows for operation at higher rpm. How the FCX Clarity got its name: Honda chose this name to express the idea that the company is creating a fuel cell vehicle that will offer a clear solution to the challenges of the future, helping society achieve sustainable mobility. The elegant form of the FCX Clarity sets it apart from everything else on the road and complements the rational, environmental reasons for driving a fuel cell vehicle. The sharp, dark chrome trim that runs from bumper to headlight draws the eyes toward the front fenders, creating a powerful, dynamic look and a cool, clean, futuristic feel. The side mirrors complement the FCX Clarity's free-flowing cabin. Mounted on slender arms that blend with the door molding, they emphasize the elegant lines of the side windows, with the molding embracing the mirror housing. The exterior door handles have a spare, clean look that emphasizes the slender lines of the body. Robust rear fenders reinforce the compact cabin for a bold, sculpted look. The rear glass and contoured design of the rear combination lamps emphasize the vehicle's wide, confident stance. An extra rear window for more visibility control: looks great, enhances visibility, allows for a larger trunk The most distinctive feature of the new one-motion design is found at the rear of the FCX Clarity. To take advantage of the high-deck design and enhance rear visibility, the car is fitted with an extra window with visibility control - a feature carefully designed to protect privacy. The rear tray is set high to ensure ample trunk volume, and windows are positioned in the upper trunk lid and in the barrier behind the rear seat to allow the driver to see into the trunk. Visibility control lets occupants see out without passersby seeing in A special polycarbonate film is applied to both sides of the window to make transparency dependent on the angle of vision, protecting occupants' privacy. The result is excellent rearward visibility for the driver with a high level of privacy for the rear-seat passengers. Free-flowing, aerodynamic design capitalizes on the new platform's unique qualities It's no coincidence that the exterior design's key features - the front and rear fenders, the front pillars, the tapered rear cabin - also contribute to outstanding aerodynamic performance. Superb aerodynamics are built right into the free-flowing, one-motion form. And because there is no engine - and therefore no low-hanging exhaust system - the car's underbody is flatter, reducing drag. Lightweight aerodynamics wheels Ultra-lightweight forged aluminum 5-spoke wheels have fin-shaped plastic fairings to suppress air turbulence around the wheel, reducing weight and improving aerodynamics while adding a sporty touch.
Honda designers aimed to take maximum advantage of the space, creating a comfort zone with a futuristic feel. The central tunnel formed by the FC Stack neatly divides the left and right front spaces. The door linings help create an inclusive feel that sets apart the personal space of four independent seats within the spacious cabin. The floating instrument panel gives the cockpit a next-generation feel and provides the driver with new levels of functionality and visibility. The warm earth-tone colors are intended to create a soothing, natural feel. Personal spaces that submerge occupants in comfort Four distinct spaces have been created within the luxurious interior. The doors feature bold concave lines that accentuate the sense of roominess and create relaxing, personal spaces. A floating, layered instrument panel for an advanced feel Front pillars have been extended forward, while maintaining generous headroom proportions, to create a sense of space. The instrument panel is set off as a unified mass unconnected to the door line, making it appear to levitate. Bright coloring in the padding accentuates the airy, spacious feel. An advanced cockpit for a futuristic experience Naturally, because it's a Honda, the FCX Clarity is fun and easy to drive. The new fuel cell multi-functional display in the cockpit, for example, features three-dimensional displays of hydrogen consumption, battery levels, motor output and other key information. The speedometer is positioned directly above the display to minimize eye movement. A compact electronic shifter that leverages the latest in drive-by-wire technology has been molded into the meter visors. Other design touches enhance the futuristic feel, like the start switch beside the center console that activates the fuel cell stack. Fuel cell performance meters The luminescent three-dimensional meters recessed into the instrument panel display all key driving information. A centrally located ball-shaped H2 meter keeps track of hydrogen consumption. The vehicle's meters work together to provide an effective interface, providing the data output the driver needs. The H2 ball-shaped hydrogen consumption gauge changes color and size to reflect hydrogen consumption as driving conditions change. During high consumption, the ball becomes large and amber-colored. As consumption decreases, it shrinks and turns yellow, then blue. The Hydrogen fuel and battery gauges are to the right of the H2 ball-shaped meter. The fuel cell stack output gauge and battery output/charge display are on the outer perimeter. Luxury from the future Silver accents, blue acrylic in the interior door handles, and audio panel impart a futuristic look. High-quality materials like wood-grain appearance paneling in the doors and luminous black lacquer headrests combine with warm colors for a luxurious, space-age feel. Comfortable, easy to use, and environmentally responsible To help move away
from petroleum-based resins and other synthetic fibers toward plant-based
fabrics, Honda created a new premium bio-fabric for vehicle interiors.
Honda Bio-Fabric is a polyester material called poly(trimethylene terephthalate
(PTT) made by fermenting corn Its texture and durability make it perfect
for use in seat coverings, door linings, console trays and arm rests
- any part of the vehicle where the occupants will appreciate its premium
feel. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) fibers made from corn and other plant
biomass are used in roof linings, floor carpeting and trunk linings.
In fact, all interior fabric coverings in the FCX Clarity are made of
natural, plant-based materials. OUR TAKE ON THE 2009 HONDA CLARITY: Honda Motor company has long been known for building user friendly, cost concious and reliable vehicles. Starting mid 2008, Honda will also be known to have first released a hydrogen powered vehicle to the market. For a select number of individuals in the southern California area, Honda will provide a $600 lease of the Honda FCX Clarity sedan as a test market. The Honda Clarity is powered by three electric motors, two in the rear and one in the front that technically makes this an all wheel drive vehicle and produces about 80 horsepower. The new Clarity is capable of close to 100 mph and has a range of 190-220 miles. The FCX Clarity is the fifth generation FC (Fuel Cell) model by Honda ans will expand manufacturing as more hydrogen refueling stations become availible, and Honda claims that mass production on the FCX could begin around 2018. OTHER HYDROGEN/FUEL CELL VEHICLES: BMW Hydrogen 7, Ford Focus FCV, Hyundai FCEV Tuscon, Daimler Chrysler F-Cell RELATED ARTICLES, REVIEWS AND SITES:
AUTO WALLPAPERS - BODY KITZ - CARBON FIBER HOODS - VERTICAL DOOR KITS - TRANCE FORM - MYSPACE LAYOUT - LEXUS IS 350 - MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 3 |
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