HONDA FC FUTURE SPORTS CAR WITH V FLOW FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGY
The
New FC Sports fuel based car from Honda was recently displayed at the
LA Auto Show is one traffic stopper. The designers have taken into their
advantage the flexibility which is extended by the fuel cell powertrain
as it is placed on the back of the driver. It’s a 3-seater with the
styling of sports car major McLaren F1 vehicle, where in the driver is
in the middle with passenger seats on side and back. The concept car is
right now under study and testing to understand the full utility of the
product. Though there may be a possibility of Honda releasing a
full-fledged version for commercial use.
[Press Release]
Honda FC Sport Design Study Suggests Hydrogen Sports Car Future, LOS
ANGELES, Nov. 19, 2008 – Honda today revealed the Honda FC Sport design
study model, a hydrogen-powered, three-seat sports car concept, at the
2008 Los Angeles Auto Show.
The
FC Sport emphasizes the design flexibility and potential of Honda’s V
Flow fuel cell technology – already deployed in the Honda FCX Clarity
sedan – and reconfigures it into a lightweight sports car design with an
ultra-low center of gravity, powerful electric motor performance and
zero-emissions. The design study concept is inspired by supercar levels
of performance through low weight and a high-performance, electrically
driven fuel cell powertrain.
“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
high-output Honda fuel cell powertrain and a sleek, aerodynamic body
contribute to the vehicle’s performance potential. A modular approach to
fuel cell component packaging and the electric drivetrain contribute to
the FC Sport’s low center of gravity with the majority of vehicle mass
distributed between the axles, creating the balanced weight distribution
sought after in sports cars.
The
ideal placement of the Honda V-Flow fuel cell stack and related
components demonstrates the benefits of a platform-specific,
hydrogen-powered fuel cell powertrain. The FC Sport is configured to
accommodate a custom-formed high-power fuel cell stack, located between
the rear seats, and a battery pack placed low in the middle of the
vehicle. The electric motor resides just forward of the rear axle. Two
fuel storage tanks, visible from above, are located above the rear axle.
The
optimal placement of fuel cell components for performance also allows
for a relatively large passenger cabin by conventional supercar
standards with enough space for three seating positions. The interior
layout focuses primarily on the driver with a racecar-like center
driving position. The enclosed canopy opens upward from the rear to
allow for entry and exit. Two rear passenger seats flank the driver’s
left and right side.
The
sleek, low-profile body is designed to convey a high-technology
appearance with sculpting that combines angular shapes in the front of
the vehicle that taper into geometric, hex forms in the rear. The rear
hex forms house cooling radiators for the fuel cell. Formula 1-style
barge boards behind the front wheels enhance high speed aerodynamics and
convey the vehicle’s racing pedigree. The hydrogen storage tanks,
visible from the rear deck, showcase the FC Sports fuel cell technology
in much the same way that a “naked bike” motorcycle showcases its
engineering technology.
The
glacier white body color conveys the FC Sport’s clean environmental
aspirations while the dark wheels and deeply tinted glass provide a
symbolic contrast befitting of the vehicle’s unique combination of clean
power and high performance. Green construction techniques further
contribute to a reduced carbon footprint. An organic, bio-structure
theme is carried through to the body construction where exterior panels
are intended to use plant-derived bio-plastics.
The
Advanced Design Studio of Honda R&D Americas, in Pasadena,
California, developed the FC Sport design study with the primary
objective of using existing fuel cell technology as the basis for an
ultimate Honda sports car. Designer Jason Wilbur led the design efforts.
Honda R&D Americas, Inc. began its operations in California in 1975 with local market research
activities and has steadily grown its capabilities over the past 33
years to include all aspects of new vehicle design and development.
Recent development efforts include trend-setting products such as the
Honda Pilot, Ridgeline, Element, Civic Coupe and Civic Si.
In
2008, the company opened two new design centers in Southern California:
the Acura Design Studio (Torrance), for the research and design of new
Acura products; and the Advanced Design Studio (Pasadena), for the
exploration and development of advanced design themes for both Honda and
Acura.