2013 Honda FCX Clarity Green Performance

The next generation 2013 Honda FCX Clarity is Luxury sport sedan. Honda designers aimed to take maximum advantage of the space, creating a comfort zone with a futuristic feel. The central tunnel formed by the FC Stack neatly divides the left and right front spaces. The door linings help create an inclusive feel that sets apart the personal space of four independent seats within the spacious cabin. The floating instrument panel gives the cockpit a next-generation feel and provides the driver with new levels of functionality and visibility. The warm earth-tone colors are intended to create a soothing, natural feel. Four distinct spaces have been created within the luxurious interior. The Honda FCX Clarity doors feature bold concave lines that accentuate the sense  of roominess and create relaxing, personal spaces. Front pillars have been extended forward, while maintaining generous headroom proportions, to create a sense of space. The instrument panel is set off as a unified mass unconnected to the door line, making it appear to levitate. Bright coloring in the padding accentuates the airy, spacious feel.

Naturally, because it’s a Honda, the 2013 Honda FCX Clarity is fun and easy to drive. The new fuel cell multi-functional display in the cockpit, for example, features three-dimensional displays of hydrogen consumption, battery levels, motor output and other key information. The speedometer is positioned directly above the display to minimize eye movement. A compact electronic shifter that leverages the latest in drive-by-wire technology has been molded into the meter visors. Other design touches enhance the futuristic feel, like the start switch beside the center console that activates the fuel cell stack. The luminescent three dimensional meters recessed into the instrument panel display all key driving information. A centrally located ball-shaped H2 meter keeps track of hydrogen consumption. The vehicle’s meters work together to provide an effective interface, providing the data output the driver needs.

The H2 ball-shaped hydrogen consumption gauge changes color and size to reflect hydrogen consumption as driving conditions change. During high consumption, the ball becomes large and amber-colored. As consumption decreases, it shrinks and turns yellow, then blue. The hydrogen fuel and battery gauges are to the right of the H2 ball-shaped meter. The fuel cell stack output gauge and battery output/charge display are on the outer perimeter. Silver accents and blue acrylic in the interior door handles and audio panel impart a futuristic look. High-quality materials like wood-grain appearance paneling in the doors and luminous black lacquer headrests combine with warm colors for a luxurious, space-age feel.


Along with uncompromising performance, the electric motor driven 2013 Honda FCX Clarity delivers a completely different driving sensation from a conventional vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine. There are no gear changes to interrupt power delivery and the torque characteristics are smooth, making acceleration seamless and robust. This is a key part of its distinctive, premium driving feel. There is none of the vibration that comes from reciprocating pistons. There is no combustion noise just quiet, clean, vibrationfree performance. Startup and acceleration times are comparable to that of a 2.4-liter internal combustion vehicle of similar size. The Honda FCX Clarity’s high-efficiency powerplant and outstanding energy management result in an exceedingly high operating energy efficiency of 60%. Furthermore, vehicle weight reduction and superb aerodynamics contribute to an approximate 20% improvement in fuel economy. Hydrogen tank capacity has also been increased, extending vehicle range by 30%.

The motor’s rotor shaft features a hollow construction, with the driveshaft passing through its center in a coaxial configuration. This arrangement, unique to electric vehicles, allows the motor and gearbox to be combined into a single, compact unit, while providing highly efficient transmission of the motor’s high-output, high-rpm power to the driveshaft. Innovative bearing design and fewer rotor oil seals result in lower friction for higher transmission efficiency, creating driving performance with a more direct feel. The vehicle’s fixed gear ratio allows for simple operation: there’s an easy-to-use shift control for forward, reverse and park that has a light touch and a short stroke. The compact shift unit features electronic control, allowing the shift lever to be installed on the dashboard. The shifter, start switch and parking switch are all easy to operate. Other operating systems are also laid out in separate zones to improve ergonomics.

To enhance occupant protection in a collision, Honda has implemented innovative body technology with a network of frame structures in the front of the vehicle along with additional safety precautions appropriate to a fuel cell vehicle. The vehicle is designed to comply with all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards. The fuel cell system and hydrogen tank are protected from collisions at every angle. Taking full advantage of the distributed powerplant layout, we’ve optimized the body structure. To help protect occupants in the event of frontal collisions, the straight front-side frame, upper frame and lower structural parts are designed to disperse and absorb impact energy. Energy is dispersed through the front pillars and floor. The
lower structural members are designed to help prevent misalignment with the impact-absorbing parts of the other vehicle. Along with an energy-absorbing upper frame, they efficiently disperse
energy over a wider area. This design is intended to both reduce the impact forces on FCX Clarity occupants as well as on the other vehicle. The enhanced rigidity of the body also increases overall vehicle refinement.