Establishing its green credentials, Honda’s stand at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show gave centre stage to a car that produces no noxious substances whatsoever. Called, appropriately, Clarity, and powered by an electricity-generating hydrogen fuel cell, this family saloon succeeds the FCX Clarity, the world’s first production fuel cell vehicle, introduced by Honda in 2008.
Reducing the size of the fuel cell stack by 33 per cent has allowed Honda’s engineers to house both the stack and car’s drivetrain under the bonnet, a first for this type of car, and endow the new Clarity with genuine seating for five and a large luggage compartment.
A more powerful fuel cell and lithium ion battery help the 177bhp electric motor deliver powerful acceleration, but even more impressive is the 435 mile range and the ability to refill the tank in as little as three minutes. That kind of convenience will give the Clarity real appeal to British drivers when it comes to the UK.
Other stars of Honda’s stand included the acclaimed high performance British-built Civic Type R that makes a journey in the opposite direction, from Honda’s Swindon facility in the UK to Japanese Honda dealerships.
The new NSX super sports car also made an appearance, prior to its arrival in the UK next year. There is already great excitement surrounding its launch with its nomination for the 2016 What Car? Reader Award. The award which is compiled by What Car? Experts’ shortlists the most eagerly anticipated new models coming to the UK in the next 12 months. The winner is then picked by readers, to vote for the NSX just click on the link below.
In other innovation news, there was another chance to see the Project 2&4 powered by RC213V, a fusion of car manoeuvrability with the freedom of a motorcycle that is powered by an exhilarating 215ps engine that revs to 14000rpm.
And for those more interested in navigating within the city than escaping it, Honda showed the WANDER STAND and WANDER WALKER, a pair of futuristic urban mobility solutions that perfectly underlined Honda’s slogan: The Power of Dreams.
