Honda FC Sport - fuel cell sports car of the future?
By Justin Couture, MSN Autos
With growing concerns over the environment, will high-performance sports cars go the way of the dodo? Cars like BMW’s new clean diesel 335d and Tesla’s electric Roadster are current proof that performance and environmental friendliness aren’t mutually exclusive, but what about ten or twenty years down the road? Honda is a firm believer that there’s a place for an environmentally friendly sports car, and has demonstrated a potential solution with its futuristic hydrogen-powered FC Sport concept, a car that it is displaying this week in LA.
"The Honda FC Sport explores how to satisfy automotive performance enthusiasts in a world beyond petroleum," said Dan Bonawitz, vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "People who love sports cars will still have a reason to love in a hydrogen-powered future."
The FC Sport is about the closest thing we’ve seen from a mainstream automaker to a hydrogen-powered supercar. Behind its long, low and lean body, Honda’s engineers fitted the FC Sport with its V-Flow fuel cell stack, similar to the one used in the FCX Clarity fuel cell sedan. But don’t think that this is just an FCX Clarity with a different body on top as Honda’s engineers have completely rearranged the components to improve handling and performance by lowering the vehicle’s centre of gravity and improving its weight distribution.
One of the biggest and heaviest components in a hydrogen fuel cell powertrain is the fuel cell itself. Honda has moved this unit behind the cabin, while the electric motor that drives the car has been shifted to a position between the rear wheels. In a way, the FC Sport is the hydrogen equivalent of a mid-engined, rear wheel drive sports car.
Also located at the rear of the vehicle are the FC Sport’s twin hydrogen tanks, and are on display through a tinted plastic cover that stretches over the tail of the car. This is the primary reason why the FC Sports’ backside is so long. Honda’s design studio accented the narrow, tapered back side with a hexagonal rear end that looks like a jet fighter’s afterburners. Other neat design touches include “barge boards” which are integrated fender vents that aid in cooling and airflow.
Though Honda hasn’t displayed any photos of the FC Sport’s interior, it’s being described as having room for three across a single row. The driver sits front and centre with one passenger on either side, a layout similar to the McLaren F1.
Although Honda’s FCX Clarity is a full production vehicle, it doesn’t have any plans to produce a fuel cell sports car like the FC Sport as of yet. If anything, it’ll be at least a decade or two before we see vehicles of this sort. Nevertheless, it’s good to know that Honda is advancing its R&D in fuel cells without neglecting the driver in all of us.
Posted by: V8 hot laps | 2008-11-25 4:10:29 AM
I think the overall body design looks hot...but the front end looks like a confused Chinaman staring into the distance.
I'd say it needs work but i guess if it goes, it goes !
Posted by: M | 2008-11-29 7:09:26 PM
What is that?! That is probably the ugliest car ever made with the Ford Flex a close second!
Posted by: Nabi Windshield Repair of Toronto Canada | 2008-11-30 11:41:31 AM
Honda FC Sport THE HOTEST CAR BY HONDA SO FAR THAT I HAVE SEEN AND A SMART ONE TOO:)
Working in the Auto Industry as an owner of an Auto Glass Service company we do incourage our customers to think of the environment in every aspect as possible and to do as much as possible for the future of our planet. I believe Honda FC Sport is a beautiful sporty design that will zoom through clear air on its electric motor even if its going to be 10 years from. Clear air for us all is where all Auto makers are heading which is diffinitly the best action for our worldly environment.
Nabi Winshield Repair wishes Honda all the best whishes in its mission to protect the environment.
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