The auto industry has been hearing about it since last fall, and now, we will finally get that first look.
Honda is set to give both the media and consumers alike a highly-anticipated first look at the United States spec version of its Clarity Fuel Cell sedan this week at the New York International Auto Show, beginning Wednesday. The Japanese automaker still projects that the hydrogen-powered, five-passenger Clarity Fuel Cell will be released in the states later this year, featuring the company's Sensing technology in addition to support for both Apple's CarPlay and Android Auto.
"We're pleased to be able to offer this first look at the U.S. version of the Clarity Fuel Cell sedan in advance of its market arrival later this year," John Mendel, executive vice president of Honda's automobile division, said in the company's press release statement dated Monday. "The Clarity Fuel Cell is the first in an expanding portfolio of advanced electrified vehicles from Honda that will create a new pillar in our product lineup."
The Clarity Fuel Cell boasts a fuel cell stack that is 33 percent more compact than that of its last model, with a 60 percent increase in power density in comparison to the Honda FCX Clarity. Honda says that its Clarity Fuel Cell will tout a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) driving range of 300-plus miles, with a refueling time of about three to five minutes. Impressive.
The highly-anticipated model will first be available to select California cities before the end of this year, with an expected price tag of around $60,000. Through Honda's Sensing technology, the Clarity Fuel Cell will also be equipped with features such as a collision mitigation braking system, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control and road departure mitigation.
The impending release of the Clarity Fuel Cell definitely shores up Honda's lineup for the year, which also includes a revamped 2017 Accord Hybrid slated to hit the road this spring. The automaker also plans on rolling out a plug-in hybrid based on the same Clarity Fuel Cell by 2018 and a new battery-powered electric vehicle slated for the same year.
