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Honda Debuts All-New FCX Clarity Advanced Fuel Cell Vehicle
LOS ANGELES, U.S.A., November 14, 2007–Honda
unveiled the FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle at the Los Angeles Auto Show,
announcing plans to begin limited retail marketing of the vehicle in the
US, starting summer 2008.
The FCX Clarity is a next-generation, zero-emissions, hydrogen-powered fuel cell
vehicle based on the entirely-new Honda V Flow fuel cell platform, and powered
by the highly compact, efficient and powerful Honda V Flow fuel cell stack.
Featuring tremendous improvements to driving range, power, weight and efficiency
- and boasting a low-slung, dynamic and sophisticated appearance, previously
unachievable in a fuel cell vehicle - the FCX Clarity marks the significant
progress Honda continues to make in advancing the real-world performance and
appeal of the hydrogen-powered fuel cell car.
"The FCX Clarity is a
shining symbol of the progress we've made with fuel cell vehicles and of our
belief in the promise of this technology," said Tetsuo Iwamura, American Honda
president and CEO. "Step by step, with continuous effort, commitment and focus,
we are working to overcome obstacles to the mass-market potential of
zero-emissions hydrogen fuel cell automobiles."
American Honda plans to
lease the FCX Clarity to a limited number of retail consumers in Southern
California with the first deliveries taking place in summer 2008.
Full
details of the lease program will be set closer to launch, but current plans
call for a three-year lease term with a price of $600 per month, including
maintenance and collision insurance. American Honda is also developing a service
infrastructure that provides customers with the best balance of convenience and
the highest quality of service. When the FCX Clarity requires periodic
maintenance, customers will simply schedule a visit with their local Honda
dealer. American Honda will transport the vehicle to their fuel cell service
facility, located in the greater Los Angeles area, where all required work will
be performed. At the completion of the work, the customer will pick up their car
from the dealer.
 How It Works
The FCX Clarity
utilizes Honda's V Flow stack in combination with a new compact and efficient
lithium ion battery pack and a single hydrogen storage tank to power the
vehicle's electric drive motor. The fuel cell stack operates as the vehicle's
main power source. Hydrogen combines with atmospheric oxygen in the fuel cell
stack, where chemical energy from the reaction is converted into electric power
used to propel the vehicle. Additional energy captured through regenerative
braking and deceleration is stored in the lithium ion battery pack, and used to
supplement power from the fuel cell, when needed. The vehicle's only emission is
water.
Honda V Flow Fuel Cell Platform
The FCX
Clarity's revolutionary new V Flow platform packages the ultra-compact,
lightweight and powerful Honda V Flow fuel cell stack (65 percent smaller than
the previous Honda FC stack) in the vehicle's center tunnel, between the two
front seats. Taking advantage of a completely new cell configuration, the
vertically-oriented stack achieves an output of 100 kilowatts (kW) (versus 86kW
in the current Honda FC stack) with a 50 percent increase in output density by
volume (67 percent by mass). Its compact size allows for a more spacious
interior and more efficient packaging of other powertrain components, which
would otherwise be unattainable in a sleek, low-slung sedan.
The FCX
Clarity boasts numerous other significant advances in the performance and
packaging of Honda fuel cell technology, compared to the current-generation FCX.
These include1:
·a 20-percent increase in fuel economy - to the approximate
equivalent of 68 mpg2 combined fuel economy (about 2-3 times the fuel economy of
a gasoline-powered car, and 1.5 times that of a gasoline-electric hybrid
vehicle, of comparable size and performance);
·a 30-percent increase in vehicle range - to 270 miles;
·a 25-percent improvement in power-to-weight ratio, in part from an
approximate 400-pound reduction in the fuel cell powertrain weight, for superior
performance and efficiency despite a substantial increase in overall vehicle
size3;
·a 45-percent reduction in the size of the fuel cell powertrain - nearly
equivalent, in terms of volume, to a modern gas-electric hybrid
powertrain;
·an advanced new lithium-ion battery pack that is 40 percent lighter and 50
percent smaller than the current-generation FCX's ultra-capacitor;
and
·
a single 5,000-psi hydrogen storage tank with 10 percent additional hydrogen
capacity than the previous model.
 FCX Clarity Design
More than just a fuel cell vehicle - the
FCX Clarity speaks to Honda's vision of the future of automobile design and
performance freed from the constraints of conventional powertrain technologies.
The FCX Clarity's four-door sedan platform features a short-nose body and
spacious cabin with comfortable accommodations for four people and their
luggage. Major powertrain components - including the electric motor, fuel cell
stack, battery pack and hydrogen tank - have been made more compact and are
distributed throughout the vehicle to further optimize space, comfort and total
vehicle performance.
Advanced Materials and
Components
In keeping with its theme as an environmentally-advanced
automobile, the FCX Clarity features seat upholstery and door linings made from
Honda Bio-Fabric - a newly-developed, plant-based material that offers CO2 reductions as an alternative to traditional interior
materials, along with outstanding durability and resistance to wear, stretching,
and damage from sunlight.
Designed to appeal to forward-thinking
customers seeking the ultimate in zero-emissions, alternative-fuel vehicle
performance, the FCX Clarity is also equipped with a full compliment of advanced
safety, comfort and convenience features, including a state-of-the-art
navigation system with hydrogen station locations, backup camera, premium audio,
climate-controlled seats and Bluetooth™ connectivity.
Other
improvements, such as shift-by-wire, electric power steering (EPS), and a
newly-designed instrument panel with an easy-to-read hydrogen fuel-consumption
display, further improve its customer appeal and ease of operation.
CO2 Emissions
The FCX Clarity's only emission is water. Carbon Dioxide
(CO2) emissions come only from the production of
hydrogen, which varies by source; however, well-to-wheel CO2 emissions using hydrogen reformed from natural gas -
the most widely used method of production today - are less than half that of a
conventional gasoline vehicle. With the production of hydrogen from water by
electrolysis, CO2 emissions can be further
reduced and ultimately approach zero if the electricity used for electrolysis is
generated using solar, wind, water or nuclear power.
Honda has developed
its own solar cells, with half of the CO2
emissions in the production stage compared to conventional crystalline silicon
cells; and has begun mass-production and retail sales of this technology in
Japan for both commercial and residential use.
Fuel Cell
Leadership
Based on its vision of, "Blue Skies for our Children",
Honda has worked for forty years at reducing the environmental impact of the
automobile, including efforts to reduce emissions, boost fuel efficiency and,
now, many industry-leading efforts to advance the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle - a
technology and fuel that Honda believes may hold the ultimate promise for a
clean and sustainable transportation future. Honda's pioneering achievements in
this area include the first EPA and CARB certification of a fuel cell vehicle
(2002); the first lease of a fuel cell vehicle (2002); the first fuel cell
vehicle to receive an EPA fuel economy rating (2002); the first cold-weather
customer (2004); the first and still only individual retail customers (2005,
2007); and the first and still only fuel cell vehicle to be eligible for a
federal tax credit.
1 Specifications may change prior to the certification
and sales of production units.
2 Honda in-house calculation
3 Using domestic and globally sourced parts
Source: Honda Worldwide
Honda Presents The Accord Tourer Concept and i-DTEC, The
Next-Generation Clean Diesel Engine Technology, At The Frankfurt Motor
Show
September 11, 2007– Honda presented to the world the exciting Accord Tourer Concept and the new generation of Honda diesel engines, i-DTEC at the 2007 Frankfurt motor show.
Accord Tourer Concept 
The premiere of the Accord Tourer Concept provides a strong indication of the design direction of the all-new generation Accord Tourer set to debut in mid-2008. The wider, lower look signals a sportier, more emotional styling approach, and while the design of the current Accord Tourer maximises its load-carrying capability, the new model goes for smarter, sleeker proportions while retaining a strong degree of versatility and practicality. The Concept's greater width makes for a more spacious cabin and also allows an increased track for enhanced handling characteristics.
The all-new Accord range will boast one of the first all-Euro 5-compliant engine line-ups which will consist of two i-VTEC petrol engines of 2.0 and 2.4-litre capacities and a newly developed 2.2-litre i-DTEC next-generation diesel engine. Compared to the current Accord engine line-up, power output will be boosted and emissions and fuel economy significantly improved. 
The latest engines will be complemented by innovative new chassis technology that will deliver exceptional handling, greater linear stability and a more involving driving experience without compromising ride comfort.
The all-new Accord will debut in Sedan and Tourer
forms at the 2008 Geneva motor show.
The all-new i-DTEC is the 2nd diesel engine Honda has developed. By further improving the current award winning i-CTDi's superb performance, fuel economy and emission efficiencies, i-DTEC has achieved various stringent emission standards in the U.S., Japan and Europe (Honda test data).
The first phase of the programme - compliance with the Euro 5 legislation expected in 2009 - has already reached fruition, and an example of the new engine, which makes its first appearance in next year's Accord range, is being shown on the stand.
 Honda continues to work on the second phase of development of its latest diesel engine and has already achieved compliance with the stringent US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier II/Bin 5 emissions requirements. This is of particular significance to the European market in that the Tier II standards are even more demanding than the Euro 6 requirements which remain at the proposal stage. An example of this engine is also on display at the stand.
- In Euro 5 regulation, emissions of
particulates from diesel-engined cars are expected to be reduced by 80
per cent compared to Euro 4 (down from 25 to 5 mg/km), while NOx levels
are cut from 250 to 180 mg/km.
- Tier II is the second stage of US emissions standards and is split into eight permanent and three temporary certification levels called ‘bins' to which vehicles are certified. When fully implemented in 2009, a manufacturer's light-vehicle fleet has to meet the average NOx standard of approximately 43.5 mg/km (0.07 g/mile) - the Bin 5 level (and equivalent to California's LEV II standard).
Source: Honda Worldwide
S2000 CR Prototype Makes World Debut at the New York International Auto Show
NEW YORK, USA, April 4, 2007
The club racer-inspired 2008 Honda S2000 CR
Prototype making its world debut at the New York International Auto Show
introduces a higher level of track-worthy performance and style to the
S2000 roadster, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced. 
The S2000 CR will be available as an entirely new S2000 trim level when it goes on sale in the fall of 2007. The lighter, stiffer and more aggressive overall design is engineered to maximize the S2000's potential on a racetrack with the goal of substantially-improving track times, chassis balance and feel. The factory-tuned roadster provides highly-aggressive suspension settings, increased body and chassis rigidity, overall weight reduction and an aerodynamic body kit dialed-in for reduced lift. An aluminum hardtop replaces the convertible soft top as standard equipment.
"The S2000 CR is the closest thing you can get to a Honda-built racecar with license plate holders and a horn," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Its features and equipment are designed to appeal to weekend club racing enthusiasts."
The full-body aerodynamic package reduces lift through large and highly-tuned front and rear spoilers. Exclusive chassis features include a quicker steering ratio, Bridgestone Potenza RE070 tyres, a wider rear tyre size, firmer springs and dampers, larger stabilizer bars and a new wheel design in a dark gray color.
Substantial structural bracing has been added to the storage area previously occupied by the soft top, resulting in additional rigidity. The aluminum hard top replaces the soft top of the conventional S2000, resulting in an overall weight savings of approximately 90 pounds when removed (relative to the current S2000).
The exclusive interior is highlighted by unique cloth seating surfaces with yellow stitching, a unique spherical aluminum shifter and carbon fiber-style trim panels. Air conditioning and an AM/FM Stereo with CD player are optional equipment. Standard features for the S2000 include 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, ABS and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA). While VSA serves to effectively enhance driver control during acceleration, braking, and cornering, the system can be disabled with the touch of a button when conditions warrant it.
Widely considered the quintessential roadster-style sports car, the S2000 is the performance icon for the Honda brand and combines uncompromising racetrack-ready performance with everyday usability. The S2000 rewards driving enthusiasts with a potent 2.2-liter, 16-valve DOHC VTEC® 4-cylinder engine and a precise, short throw 6-speed manual transmission, along with tenacious handling and a perfect 50/50 weight balance.
The renowned high-revving engine delivers 237 horsepower at 7,800 rpm and 162 lb-ft. of torque at 6,800 rpm. Perfectly complimenting the engine's output characteristics is a compact, longitudinally-mounted, close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission that features a direct linkage for precise shifting and quick throws. Combined with a front and rear double wishbone suspension, precise electric power steering, and a torque-sensing limited slip differential, the end result is a complete, no compromise, performance package for the enthusiast driver.
Source: Honda Worldwide
Acura RDX Wins
'Canadian Utility Vehicle Of
The Year' Award
TORONTO, Canada, February 14, 2007
Acura’s all-new RDX Technology Package, a luxury-performance crossover utility vehicle (CUV), was voted “Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year” by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC).
“With Acura RDX being voted the Canadian Utility of the Year, Canadian consumers can rely on AJAC’s third-party evaluation when selecting a luxury crossover utility vehicle,” said Jim Miller, executive vice president, Honda Canada Inc.
 The all-new 2007 Acura RDX Technology Package combines Acura’s first-ever turbocharged engine with the patented Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD™) system. RDX is designed to keep Acura ahead with advanced technology to provide the best in responsiveness, control and efficiency. By adding an innovative variable flow turbocharger – an exceptionally broad powerband with 240 horsepower – virtually no turbo lag is produced while achieving outstanding fuel efficiency with low emissions.
Acura RDX is a stylish vehicle that offers a higher “eye-point” (driving position) and more cargo flexibility than a sedan. It is designed for customers who want SUV functionality with the handling and performance of a luxury sports sedan. The transformable utility of the RDX, along with its engaging performance and handling, provides an ideal balance.
RDX features the SH-AWD™ system to maximize available traction while improving handling balance and responsiveness. SH-AWD™ is Acura’s patented all-wheel drive system that distributes the optimum amount of torque not only between the front and rear axles but also between the left and right rear wheels. The system helps reduce understeer to enhance steering accuracy.
The RDX exterior styling further emphasizes its sporty athleticism. A unique rear hatch, finished with a replaceable panel to reduce the cost of accident repair, allows the rear of the body to smoothly transition to the rear bumper. This permits a more custom look and also eases loading and unloading of cargo.
The RDX Technology Package heightens the RDX’s appeal to technology-savvy customers with a range of advanced features. The centerpiece is a 10-speaker Acura/ELS Surround™ Premium Sound System. When playing DVD-Audio (DVD-A) discs, this advanced 410-watt system delivers eight discreet audio channels (instead of the usual two) to create a dynamic listening experience. Also included is HandsFreeLink™ that works with many Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and Acura’s Satellite Navigation System with Bi-lingual Voice Recognition™.
Technological leadership also extends to safety engineering with Acura’s “Safety Through Innovation” initiatives. The RDX’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure substantially contributes to occupant safety. ACE™ distributes collision loads through the body structure, leaving the passenger cabin more intact for improved occupant protection.
Inside, the RDX provides a full complement of standard passive safety features. Key technologies include active front seat head restraints and the latest generation of dual-stage, dual-threshold airbags for the driver and front passenger, plus side airbags for the driver and front passenger, and side curtain airbags with a rollover sensor for all outboard occupants.
The 2007 AJAC Car and Truck of the Year competition was conducted in October near Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. More than 70 AJAC members from across Canada were involved in three days of back-to-back test evaluations of 65 individual products in 13 separate categories. The RDX initially won the “Best New CUV Between $35,000 and $60,000” category in order to be voted on for the overall Canadian Utility of the Year.
Acura is the technology advanced performance division of Honda Canada Inc. Five vehicles are marketed under the Acura brand, including the exclusive-to-Canada Acura CSX luxury compact sedan, RL, MDX, TL and TSX. Both the CSX and the new Acura MDX luxury sport-utility vehicle are produced at the Honda of Canada Mfg. facility in Alliston, Ontario.
Source: Honda Worldwide
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