Environmentally responsible automobiles. The final frontier. Honda’s lifelong mission? To boldly go where no other automaker has gone before in creating solutions to man’s life long problem—How to get from point A to point B in the least environmentally damaging manner all the while having a blast doing it. So what is Honda’s latest solution? The utterly mind blowing Honda FCX Clarity hydrogen powered sedan which is not only a full zero emissions vehicle (ZEV) but is also the most fun to drive alternative fuel vehicle that I have ever driven. Not only does it sound a bit like the Starship Enterprise going into warp drive as it accelerates but it also manages to corner, handle and ride much like any mainstream Honda product. This is to say, brilliantly. In the past few weeks I have tested hybrid, diesel and natural gas powered vehicles in quick succession. And while I think there are benefits to all of the aforementioned methods of powering an automobile, none is a total fix for the environmental and national security implications of our dependence on foreign oil. The only true fix, dear readers, is a car like the Honda FCX Clarity. And the bonus? It is the one of the most fun to drive cars I have ever had the privilege of testing. Exterior Styling The Honda FCX Clarity comes in any color as long as it is a deep, lustrous burgundy called Star Garnet Metallic. Why you would ever order your Clarity in any other color is a mystery to me. Although the FCX Clarity gets plenty of attention on the street and in parking lights due to the fact that it runs on hydrogen, I got just as many complements on the color. From a design perspective, this four door sedan is a true homerun. To my eyes, it would make a great design for the next Honda Accord. It is futuristic, dynamic and looks like it is going 80 miles per hour sitting still. The ultra-lightweight 16-inch five spoke aluminum alloy resin wheels really add a sporty final touch to the overall look. The hood, trunk, doors and fenders are all made out of aluminum to help keep the FCX Clarity’s weight down. The front and rear subframes are also made from extruded aluminum to help with this effort. Weight distribution is 53% front/47% rear which is impressive given the utterly unique layout of this hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. Interior Styling, Features and Practicality The fuel cell stack runs down the center console and takes up a small part of the still cavernous 13.1 cubic foot trunk. Locating Category:Home › Home • Will higher gasoline prices mean lower sales for new cars? — part 2 • Will higher gasoline prices mean lower sales for new cars? — part 1 • Should the crew of the Sea Shepherd board whaling ships? • Which makes a better pet: A dog or a cat? — part 13 • Grandparents: Can blogging chronicle your genealogy? • Which makes a better pet: A dog or a cat? — part 12 • Are teachers unions the cause of public school problems today? • Which makes a better pet: A dog or a cat? — part 11
