Honda designer Jason Wilbur and his team from Advanced Design Studio of Honda R&D Americas in Pasadena, California, have developed this futuristic FC Sport design study seen at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show.
Powered by existing fuel cell technology, the FC Sport is a three-seater sports car with a low centre of gravity, zero emissions and a potent, clean electric motor. It's FCX Clarity meets NSX. Clever design ensured low weight and high-performance, with FC Sport maintaining a balanced weight distribution between front and rear, ideal for any serious sports car.
Configuration of the fuel cell stack is such that it is located between the two rear seats that flank driver's position, while a battery pack sits low in the middle of the car. Electric motor is just ahead of the rear axle and the two fuel storage tanks just above it. The layout guarantees optimal weight distribution, a good passenger cabin (for a sports car) and an interior that focuses a lot on the center-placed driver.
"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. "People who love sports cars will still have a reason to love in a hydrogen-powered future."
Honda FC Sport Design Study Suggests Hydrogen Sports Car Future
Innovative fuel cell packaging demonstrates green performance potential
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 Sport's 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.
From time to time, destiny is choosing a japanese car maker to amaze the world, with a great car or concept, now Honda was chosen 4 the job, and they did a great job, I absolutely love the looks of this car.
its looks like someone hit it in the face w. a bat and what ever that was in the front ended up in the back! if that was fixed the car would look great!hell i would say looks more suited for the nsx replacement
It looks awesome. Honda is always at the forefront of everything. The already have a fuel cell car to lease in California even after President Clinton gave the Big 3 1.5 billion dollars when he left office so The USA would be the leader in Fuel cells, but I guess they can only make on profit on big SUVs and fly in their private jets. What happened to the 1.5 billion dollars?
