The first Clarity Fuel Cell, Honda’s most advanced zero emissions vehicle, have arrived in Europe

• The first Clarity Fuel Cell, Honda’s most advanced zero emissions vehicle, have arrived in Europe
• Vehicles will take part in the Hydrogen for Innovative Vehicles (HyFIVE) EU demonstration project to highlight the capabilities of fuel cell vehicles and increase awareness and adoption of the technology
• Honda will deploy vehicles with customers in London and Copenhagen
• Clarity Fuel Cell is part of Honda’s aim to have two thirds of its fleet electrified by 2030

The first examples of Clarity Fuel Cell, Honda’s most advanced zero emissions vehicle, have arrived in Europe this week. 

The first six vehicles will be based with customers in London and Copenhagen as part of the Hydrogen for Innovative Vehicles (HyFIVE) demonstration project, partly funded by the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCHJU).

The new Clarity Fuel Cell features Honda’s latest technological enhancements in the field. 

It is the first fuel cell sedan to house the entire stack underneath the bonnet, making the cabin spacious enough to carry five occupants. 

A recent US Environment Protection Agency (EPA) test measured an effective range of 366 miles (589km), greater than any other production zero emissions vehicle.

Thomas Brachmann, Chief Project Engineer, Honda Research and Development and leader of Honda’s Clarity Fuel Cell programme in Europe, said, ‘Honda has always been one of the leaders in the field of hydrogen fuel cell technology, with over 30 years of research and development behind us. The arrival of these vehicles in Europe and Honda’s participation in HyFIVE is the next step towards Honda’s vision of the full commercialisation of this technology.’

The HyFIVE project aims to promote the awareness and adoption of fuel cell vehicle technology and infrastructure across Europe. Once deployment is completed, 185 Fuel Cell Vehicles from five automotive manufacturers will be with private and corporate customers across Austria, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Sweden and UK.

The Clarity Fuel Cell is the pinnacle of Honda’s electrified vehicle technology and highlights the commitment, recently announced by company president Takahiro Hachigo, that two thirds of global sales will feature an electrified powertrain by 2030.

TOKYO SHOW - Honda showcases it's new Clarity Hydrogen Fuel cell Vehicle, as well as a raft of new models.

• Global debut of Clarity Fuel Cell Vehicle
• New models for Japanese market, including European-built Civic Type R
• New concepts showcase innovative mobility solutions 

The Clarity Fuel Cell, Honda’s new hydrogen fuel cell vehicle was joined by production models making their Japanese debut including the European-built Civic Type R , Honda NSX, and Odyssey Hybrid.

Following its world debut at 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Honda Project 2&4 powered by RC213V will be shown as well as innovative mobility solutions, The WANDER WALKER and WANDER STAND. This broad portfolio of models is united by Honda’s global brand slogan – The Power of Dreams.

Clarity Fuel Cell

The Clarity Fuel Cell is the world’s first production hydrogen fuel cell vehicle sedan to house the fuel cell stack and drivetrain system under the bonnet. Incorporating Honda’s design principle of man maximum, machine minimum, this unique configuration provides outstanding roominess with seating for five. The size of the fuel cell stack and power generation system is reduced by 33 per cent compared to Honda’s previous hydrogen FCV, the FCX Clarity.

The fuel cell stack is not only more compact, it also produces a higher output with a maximum fuel cell output of over 100 kW and a fuel cell stack power density of 3.1 kW/L.

Leveraging the high output of the fuel cell stack and the power assist of the lithium-ion battery, the electric motor provides 130kW (177 PS) of output, enabling powerful acceleration and a feeling of smooth acceleration from standstill to maximum speed.

Honda has achieved a best in class fuel cell vehicle range per full tank of over 700 km (435 miles) all with a short refuelling time of around 3 minutes, providing similar day-to-day convenience to that of a traditional petrol or diesel powered vehicle.

The Clarity Fuel Cell will be commercially available in Japan from early 2016. Further information on the launch of Clarity in Europe will follow in 2016. 

Civic Type R

Billed as a ‘race car for the road’, the all-new Civic Type R is powered by the most extreme and high-performing Type R engine ever built, and will set new standards in the high-performance front-wheel drive hatchback segment. Produced at Honda of the (UK) Manufacturing, the car will be exported back to the company’s home market. Sales in Japan of the all-new Type R will commence towards the end of 2015.

Honda NSX

The NSX is a super sports car for a new era. The new model features lightweight body construction and a new inline 3.5-litre V6 twin turbo engine as part of the three-motor SPORT HYBRID SH-AWD (Super Handling All-Wheel Drive) system. The engine is combined with three electric motors (two of which are housed in the front wheels) via a 9-speed Dual Clutch Transmission. The all-new NSX will be launched in Europe during 2016.

Japanese market models

Other new models for the Japanese market include the Odyssey hybrid, a premium minivan which brings together a generously roomy cabin, distinctive styling and an exhilarating drive.

Honda will also be displaying the all-new S660 open-top sports mini-vehicle. The S660, has been designed to deliver the same excitement as a fully-fledged sports car in a compact and efficient package.

The N-Box, Japans best-selling minicar, will also be on the stand with a new package designed to minimise the chances of occupants getting sunburnt. The special package blocks 99% of UV rays as well as IR (heat) rays and is the first application of this technology in the world.

Honda Project 2&4 powered by RC213V

Following its global debut at Frankfurt Motor Show in September, the Honda Project 2&4 powered by RC213V will be on display at Tokyo Motor Show. Designed to deliver an immersive driving experience, Honda Project 2&4 utilises Honda’s expertise on two and four wheels to provide the freedom of a motorcycle and the manoeuvrability of a car.

The Honda Project 2&4 powered by RC213V is the winning entry from Honda’s ‘Global Design Project’, a competition amongst Honda’s global design team. . With a 14,000 rpm red line, the 1,000 cc engine is mated to a six-speed DCT gearbox and delivers peak power of 215 PS at 13,000 rpm, and peak torque of 118 Nm at 10,500 rpm.

WANDER STAND and WANDER WALKER concepts

The WANDER STAND allows two adults to ride side by side to experience a new way to drive. Honda’s Omni Traction Drive System allows complete freedom of movement forwards, backwards, laterally and diagonally. The width of the concept allows it to access the most narrow of streets, while an automatic drive mode allows occupants to relax and explore new territory.

The WANDER WALKER is designed with the city of the near future in mind, where personal mobility solutions will give riders free access to all parts of their environment. The highly compact design is 540mm wide and can easily fit down narrow streets thanks to its innovative steering system. The concept also features a display tablet, which doubles as the key for the vehicle.

Honda has a range of concepts, production cars and motorcycles that it will show at the 44th Tokyo Motor Show.

• Honda to display future mobility solutions, including the global debut of all new fuel cell vehicle (FCV)
• Innovative new production models are accompanied by futuristic concepts
• Versatile and varied line-up is united under the principle of ‘The Power of Dreams’

Honda has announced a wide range of concepts, production cars and motorcycles that it will present at the 44^th Tokyo Motor Show (press days: 28 - 29 October, 2015, public days: 30 October – 8 November 2015).

Covering the largest floor area of any single brand at the show, Honda’s stand highlights the diversity of its current product line-up and includes innovative mobility solutions designed to improve the day-to-day lives of Honda’s customers. 

This broad portfolio of models is united by its global brand slogan – The Power of Dreams. Highlights include the first chance to see its all-new fuel cell vehicle, provisionally called the FCV, the all-new NSX hybrid supercar and a range of racing machines from a range of international race series. 

Honda FCV

Honda’s original technologies have made the tentatively-named FCV, the world’s first production model of a fuel-cell powered saloon to house the entire fuel-cell powertrain in the space normally occupied by the engine and transmission. 

This powertrain layout has enabled a full cabin package that seats five adults comfortably. Moreover, the all-new FCV features a cruising range of more than 700 km while exhilarating driving is made possible by the high-output motors. 

The Japanese specification FCV can also act as a mobile power plant thanks to its external power feeding inverter, meaning that it will generate and provide electricity to communities in the case of an emergency. 

New models for Japan

Following strong sales in Europe this summer, the all-new Civic Type R will make its Japanese debut at the show. Produced at Honda of the (UK) Manufacturing in Swindon, sales in Japan of the all-new CivicType R will commence later this year.

Honda will also be displaying the all-new S660 open-top sports mini-vehicle. The S660, which is sold exclusively in Japan, has been designed to deliver the same excitement as a fully-fledged sports car in a compact and efficient package.

Innovative modern concepts

Honda will be exhibiting several concept models, including Honda Project 2&4 powered by RC213V, which made its global debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Designed to deliver an immersive driving environment, Honda Project 2&4 utilises Honda’s experience to provide the freedom of a motorcycle and the manoeuvrability of a car. 

Other concepts on display that address the challenge of future mobility are Honda’s WANDER STAND and WANDER WALKER. Both have been designed to explore the joy and freedom of mobility, and the WANDER WALKER was specifically designed to manoeuvre freely among pedestrians. 

Philip Crossman, Managing Director at Honda UK, commented: “The Tokyo Motor Show is the Honda brand’s home turf and we can expect to see some fantastic products on the biggest stand in the show.  Honda is unique in that we manufacture everything from a 25cc leaf blower to a $4.5m business jet and it is this depth and breadth of our offering that makes us stand out.  

“We’ve had a fantastic year for new products and innovation and look forward to the next wave arriving into the UK, including the new FCV and all-new NSX.”

USA - Toyota says "Let's Innovate together" with the three wheeled i-Road.

Exclusive Event Highlights Toyota's Collaboration with Silicon Valley to Advance Innovation in Mobility

Do you have an idea how the i-Road, Toyota's three-wheeled electric vehicle, could help change life in the Bay Area?  Then join us at Toyota Onramp 2015 where winning ideas earn cash prizes and the opportunity to collaborate with Toyota.

Toyota Onramp is a one-day conference designed for a select group of innovators, investors and car enthusiasts in Silicon Valley to engage with Toyota and explore the future of driving innovation together. The 2015 event will be held Nov. 13, at AT&T Park in San Francisco.  Features of the event include:

• The Smart Mobility Challenge - A contest inviting competitors to craft a plan on how the Toyota i-Road could enhance life in the Bay Area and address local sustainability and urban planning needs. Winners will have the unique opportunity to collaborate with Toyota on their ideas, in addition to cash prizes of$15,000 for the grand prize winner; $3,000 for second; and $2,000 for third. Judges include Akihiro Yanaka, chief engineer of the Toyota i-Road. The contest is open to all (more details, including submission deadlines.
   
• Test drives of the i-Road and Mirai - Competitors and attendees will have the opportunity to test drive the i-Road as well as the Toyota Mirai, a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle. This will be the first test-drive opportunity of the three-wheeled, zero CO2 emission i-Road for Toyota Onramp attendees. The Mirai is the world's first hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle for the mass market. Both vehicles represent the most advanced thinking in mobility innovation.
   
• Presentations by industry experts – Toyota Onramp will feature a lineup of speakers that are experts on smart mobility finance, engineering and urban planning. Speakers have been confirmed but will be announced at a later date.

Toyota's visually challenged Mirai fuel cell vehicle arrives in the UK ahead of official September Launch.

First shipment of fuel cell vehicles landed at Portbury. Toyota has taken another step towards a hydrogen-powered future with the arrival of the first Mirai fuel cell vehicles at its import centre at Portbury, near Bristol.

The cars, landed on Saturday, are part of the first consignment to reach Europe, ahead of Mirai's official launch in September.

As part of Toyota's global introduction of the world's first mass-produced fuel cell saloon, the four-door Mirai is being offered in selected European markets - the UK, Germany and Denmark - where a hydrogen fuel supply and retail infrastructure is being developed. 

The limited number available in Britain this year have already been snapped up, principally by business and corporate customers keen to be among the first to explore the potential of Toyota's advanced fuel cell technology and its promise of zero harmful tailpipe emissions.

Karl Schlicht, Executive Vice President Toyota Motor Europe, said: "This marks the debut of a new age for clean mobility, a turning point in the history of the automobile. With Mirai and its fuel cell technology, Toyota is working on delivering clean, safe and enjoyable mobility for the next 100 years. We are looking forward to the start of deliveries of the first Mirai to customers from September and to see the future taking shape on European roads.

"As with Prius 15 years ago, we are proud to bring yet another ground-breaking innovation to the marketplace."

Mirai - the name means "future" in Japanese - is designed to be as convenient to drive as a conventional petrol-powered car. Hydrogen fuel is stored on board in high pressure tanks and used to generate electricity in a chemical reaction with oxygen in a Toyota-designed fuel cell stack. 

The energy produced is used to drive the car, with the only tailpipe emissions being water vapour. Refuelling from empty takes between three and five minutes at the pumps and Mirai has a driving range similar to conventionally powered vehicles.

The knowledge and expertise Toyota has gained with its successful development of hybrid power directly contributes to the advanced engineering skills used to create the Toyota Fuel Cell System. By bringing Mirai to world markets, initially in Japan, the USA and Europe, Toyota aims to build awareness, understanding and acceptance of fuel cell technology and promote the development of the hydrogen fuel production and retail infrastructure this new generation of vehicles requires. 

The experiences of the first customers to drive Mirai will also be valuable in helping Toyota further refine and develop the technology.

GENEVA - Toyota launches three distinctive new cars at Geneva.

Toyota takes the wraps off new versions of its British-built Auris and Avensis at the Geneva motor show on Tuesday 3 March and reveals the new 1.2T turbo petrol engine that will make its debut in Auris this year.

It also presents the production-ready Mirai fuel cell saloon that will be introduced in the UK and other selected European markets later in 2015.

New Auris

The Auris range of hatchbacks and Touring Sports wagons has been extensively revised for 2015 to increase its appeal to a wider range of customers. The engine line-up in particular has been redrawn with the introduction of the new 1.2T turbo petrol unit and a new 1.6-litre D-4D diesel. The established 1.4 D-4D diesel has been substantially upgraded to give improved emissions and fuel economy.

Auris remains unique in its class in being available with full hybrid, petrol and diesel powertrains. Where hybrid is concerned, the smooth, refined, reliable and highly efficient Toyota system has sealed its status as a mainstream rather than niche choice, powering more than 50 per cent of all new Auris sold in western Europe in 2014.

All Auris powertrains now meet Euro 6 emissions standards.

Auris further gains refreshed exterior and interior styling. In the cabin the focus is on higher levels of ensory quality, using premium quality trims and finishes. Additional measures to reduce NVH levels have been taken and detail adjustments to steering and suspension have improved handling, comfort and driver involvement.

New Avensis

The new Avensis – saloon and Touring Sports – has been conceived as a model that can meet the demands of private buyers for more prestige and luxury and fleet/business users’ priorities for extra sportiness and style.

Toyota’s programme of improvements thus focuses on five main areas: styling, sensory quality, safety, equipment/value for money and driving pleasure/running costs.

Avensis benefits from new exterior styling, including the adoption of new LED lamp technology, while the cabin is all-new, with higher levels of quality and comfort and new colour-ways. Where safety is concerned, Avensis adopts the new Toyota Safety Sense package across the range.

A new equipment grade structure promises class-leading equipment levels and wider use of advanced technologies, including a new eight-inch multimedia screen.

Like Auris, the engine line-up becomes fully Euro 6 compliant, with two new D-4D diesel units and significant improvements to the efficiency of the established Valvematic petrol engines.

1.2 turbo petrol engine

Toyota’s all-new, direct-injection turbocharged petrol engine makes its debut in new Auris, part of a programme of 14 new engine introductions Toyota is making globally between April 2014 and the end of this year.

The four-cylinder unit, like the 1.0-litre engine that powers new Aygo, is able to switch between different operating cycles to achieve optimum efficiency or performance, according to driving conditions.

Compact and lightweight, it produces 114bhp and 185Nm of torque, giving 0 – 62mph acceleration in 10.1 seconds. Provisional (pre-homologation) data indicate combined cycle fuel economy of 60.1mpg with 109g/km CO₂ emissions.

Mirai fuel cell saloon

Mirai, Toyota’s ground-breaking hydrogen fuel cell saloon, is being shown in Europe for the first time in full production guise. Its arrival follows its market launch in Japan late last year and precedes its staged introduction in the UK and other selected European markets from around September this year.

GENEVA - Honda debuts to Europe the new FCV, ready for a 2016 Euro launch.

• Demonstrates evolution of next-generation fuel cell vehicle
• Previews production fuel cell vehicle due to launch in 2016
• Part of Honda’s contribution to the forthcoming ‘hydrogen energy society’
• Continues an unrivalled track record in fuel cell vehicle development

The Honda FCV CONCEPT, unveiled in Tokyo in November 2014, makes its European debut at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show.

The futuristically styled FCV CONCEPT previews an all-new fuel cell road car that is scheduled to go on sale in Japan in the first half of 2016, and subsequently in the USA and Europe within the following 12 months.

Next generation technologies for greater performance

Honda’s next-generation fuel cell vehicle will succeed the brand’s two previous production fuel cell cars, the FCX and FCX Clarity, and will feature significant improvements in performance and costs. The newly-developed fuel cell stack installed in the FCV CONCEPT is 33% smaller than its predecessor, and yet realises an output of more than 100 kW and an output density as high as 3.1 kW/L. This contributes to an overall performance improvement of approximately 60%.

At its launch next year, Honda’s third production fuel cell vehicle will be the world’s first^[1] fuel cell car with the entire powertrain, including the downsized fuel cell stack, housed under the bonnet of a conventional sedan body shape. This packaging layout enables designers and engineers to develop a full cabin package that seats five adults comfortably. This in turn provides a future pathway to evolve Honda’s fuel cell-specific platform to provide the foundation for further body styles, which will contribute to promoting the more widespread acceptance and adoption of this zero emissions technology by an ever broadening section of motorists.

The Honda FCV CONCEPT is equipped with a 70 MPa high-pressure hydrogen storage tank that provides a cruising range of more than 700 km^[2] (435 miles). The tank can be refilled in approximately three minutes^[3], making refuelling as quick and easy as today’s conventionally-fuelled cars.

Developed in conjunction with ‘hydrogen society’ enabling technologies

As part of its holistic approach to promoting the adoption of the forthcoming ‘hydrogen energy society’, Honda continues to tackle the challenges facing the uptake of the fuel cell vehicle by developing new enabler hydrogen technologies beyond the vehicle itself.

One such innovation installed in the FCV CONCEPT is the Honda Power Exporter Concept, an external power feeding function^[4], which underwent a large number of verification tests with the FCX Clarity. This system enables the car to function as a small mobile power plant that generates and provides electricity to the community in times of disaster or other events. It is capable of producing up to 9kW^[5] of AC power.

Furthermore, Honda will continue to promote the application of the Smart Hydrogen Station (SHS), a packaged hydrogen station unit that adopts Honda’s original high-differential-pressure electrolyser.

Together, the Power Exporter Concept, FCV CONCEPT and Smart Hydrogen Station embody Honda’s vision for the forthcoming ‘hydrogen society’, respectively representing the ‘generate’, ‘use’ and ‘get connected’ functions. Through these interrelated technologies, and other research and development activities, Honda is working tirelessly towards a CO₂-free society.

Honda’s pioneering track record in fuel cell vehicle technologies

Honda views hydrogen as a high-potential, next-generation energy solution as it can be generated from various energy sources and is easily transportable and storable. Based on this view, Honda has been positioning the fuel cell vehicle – which uses electricity generated through the chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen as a power source for the motor – as the ultimate environmentally responsible vehicle. As a result, Honda has taken a proactive approach to the research and development of fuel cell vehicles since the late 1980s.

In 2002, the Honda FCX became the first^[6] fuel cell vehicle in the world to be certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB). With these certifications, Honda began lease sales of the Honda FCX in Japan and the U.S. In 2003, Honda developed the Honda FC STACK, the world’s first fuel cell stack able to start at below-freezing temperatures. Then, in 2005, Honda became the world’s first vehicle manufacturer to begin lease sales of fuel cell vehicles to individual customers in the USA.

In 2008, Honda began lease sales of the FCX Clarity, a fuel cell vehicle that offers not only the ultimate in clean performance, but also innovative sedan-type package and sophisticated driving feel.

Honda has been a leading company in the development of fuel cell vehicles, amassing real-world data through lease sales in Japan and the USA, including actual feedback from individual users and also driving data from the vehicles.

Honda’s involvement in Hydrogen Programmes in Europe

In Europe, Honda is involved in a number of Hydrogen-related programmes both at a national and Europe-wide level.