Honda FCX Clarity

The elegant form of the Honda FCX Clarity sets it apart from everything else on the road and complements the rational, environmental reasons for driving a fuel cell eletric vehicle. The sharp, dark chrome trim that runs from bumper to headlight draws the eyes toward the front wings, creating a powerful, dynamic look and a cool, clean, futuristic feel. The side mirrors add to the Honda FCX Clarity's free-flowing cabin. Mounted on slender arms that blend with the door moulding, they emphasise the elegant lines of the side windows, with the moulding embracing the mirror housing. The exterior door handles have a spare, clean look that accentuates the slender lines of the body. Robust rear wings reinforce the compact cabin for a bold, sculpted look. The rear glass and contoured design of the rear combination lamps emphasise the vehicle's wide, confident stance.

An extra rear window for more visibility control: looks great, enhances visibility, allows for a larger boot

The most distinctive feature of the new one-motion design is found at the rear of the Honda FCX Clarity. To take advantage of the high-deck design and enhance rear visibility, the car is fitted with an extra window with visibility control-a feature carefully designed to protect privacy. The rear of the car is set high to ensure good luggage volume, and windows are positioned in the upper boot lid and in the barrier behind the rear seat to allow the driver to see into the boot.

Visibility control lets occupants see out without passersby seeing A special polycarbonate layer is applied to both sides of the window to make transparency dependent on the angle of vision, protecting occupants' privacy. The result is excellent rearward visibility for the driver, with a high level of privacy for the rear-seat passengers.

Free-flowing, aerodynamic design capitalises on the new platform's unique qualities

It is no coincidence that the exterior design's key features-the front and rear wings, the front pillars, the tapered rear cabin-also contribute to outstanding aerodynamic performance. Superb aerodynamics are built into the free-flowing, one-motion form. And because there is no engine-and therefore no low-hanging exhaust system-the car's underbody is flatter, reducing drag.

Lightweight aerodynamic wheels

Ultra-lightweight forged-aluminium 5-spoke wheels have fin-shaped plastic fairings to suppress air turbulence, reducing weight and improving aerodynamics while adding a sporty touch.

A unique new finish highlights the body's complex surfaces and contours

The star garnet colour of the brilliant finish sets the Honda FCX Clarity's one-motion body apart. The extraordinary depth and quality of the coating provides a deep, expressive lustre that changes character depending on the play of light and shadow across its surface. This is a premium vehicle inside and out.

A comfortable, spacious, futuristic environment

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 colours are intended to create a soothing, natural feel.

Personal spaces that submerge occupants in comfort

Four distinct spaces have been created within the luxurious interior. The doors feature bold concave lines that accentuate the sense of roominess and create relaxing, personal spaces.

A floating, layered instrument panel for an advanced feel

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 colouring in the padding accentuates the airy, spacious feel.

An advanced cockpit for a futuristic experience

Naturally, because it's a Honda, the 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 minimise eye movement. A compact electronic shifter that leverages the latest in drive-by-wire technology has been moulded into the dial visors. Other design touches enhance the futuristic feel, like the start switch beside the centre console that activates the fuel cell stack.

Fuel cell performance meters

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 dials work together to provide an effective interface, providing the data output the driver needs.

The H2 ball-shaped hydrogen consumption gauge changes colour and size to reflect hydrogen consumption as driving conditions change. During high consumption, the ball becomes large and amber-coloured. 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.

Luxury from the future

Silver accents and blue acrylic in the inner door handle and audio panel impart a futuristic look. High-quality materials like wood-grain appearance panelling in the doors and luminous black lacquer headrests combine with warm colours for a luxurious, space-age feel.

Honda Bio-Fabric, a new interior fabric made from plant material

To help move away from petroleum-based resins and other synthetic fibres toward plant-based fabrics, Honda created a new premium biofabric for vehicle interiors. Honda Bio-Fabric is a polyester material called poly (trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT), made by fermenting corn. Its texture and durability make it perfect for use in seat coverings, door linings, console trays and arm rests-any part of the vehicle where the occupants will appreciate its premium feel. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) fibres made from corn and other plant biomass are used in roof linings, floor carpeting and boot linings. In fact, all interior fabric coverings in the Honda FCX Clarity are made of natural, plant-based materials.

Honda Bio-Fabric: outstanding elasticity and feel

The molecular structure of PTT fibre is finely kinked in an accordion-like structure, allowing it to stretch more readily than other fibres and return easily to its original shape, avoiding sagging. It also has a unique, silky feel not found in other coverings. That is why Honda Bio-Fabric is used on all surfaces that come into direct contact with the occupants.

The production process

The 1,3-propanediol, which forms the raw material for PTT fibres, is normally produced by chemosynthesis. In contrast, Honda Bio-Fabric is made from corn, using a bio-tech fermentation method. It is combined with terephthalic acid, a petroleum extract, to create PTT resin, which in turn is spun, made into fibres, dyed and turned into Honda Bio-Fabric.