Honda keeps revving up its hydrogen technology.
On Wednesday, the Japanese automaker rolled out its new Honda Clarity Fuel Cell at the 44th annual Tokyo Motor Show 2015. The Clarity Fuel Cell will be available for lease-only sales in Japan and the United States next spring. During the leasing period, Honda will gauge customers and relevant organizations about the technology before beginning full sales to individual customers.
The vehicle is actually a revised version of the automaker's FCX Clarity that has been available since 2008, but the Clarity Fuel Cell is stronger with 174 horsepower. It's also constructed smarter, considering its fuel cell stack is 33 percent smaller than before. However, best of all — the vehicle has an estimated range of over 400 miles.
The Clarity Fuel Cell also houses two hydrogen tanks — one in the trunk and a smaller one under the rear seats. Despite a smaller fuel cell stack, the Clarity Fuel Cell packs a punch of upwards of 100 kW with an output density of 3.1 kW/L — which marks an approximate 60 percent improvement.
When recently getting the experience to test out the car, CNet found the Clarity Fuel Cell to be the first fuel-cell-powered vehicle to give off a distinctive whooshing sound.
Honda lists the price of the vehicle at 7.6 million yen, including tax. As Engadget points out, that would equal $63,610 in the U.S., but an official U.S. price hasn't been listed as of yet. The site also reports that Honda will begin U.S. sales of the Clarity Fuel Cell in California, which is equipped with hydrogen stations.
Just three weeks ago, competitor Toyota debuted its FCV Plus hydrogen-based concept at the same Tokyo Motor Show.
