Continuing our coverage of some the biggest reveals and innovations at the the North American International Auto Show, it would be difficult not to mention Honda. Honda, which is usually the cutting edge of automotive technology, did not disappoint with their announcements. Referring to 2015 as the “Year of Honda,” the technological giant introduced a wide range of new products and innovations for the upcoming year. Looking at the automotive side of the company, some of Honda’s biggest announcements the North American introduction of the FCV Concept, and the long awaited rebirth of the company’s supercar, the NSX.
Honda FCV Concept
Following its world debut in Japan last November, Honda brought their FVC Concept to NAIAS to announce the models availability in the region in 2016. The car features a Hydrogen fuel cell stack that fits entirely under the hood, and that will have a driving range of an estimated 300 miles. This fuel clue will be smaller and produce more power than the one in the previous Clarity model. This smaller cell size will allow a more passenger space in the vehicle, adding an additional seat than what the Clarity could offer. Honda claims that this new fuel cell will be able to be charged in three minutes at 70 MPa or over 10,000 psi.
Besides the FCV Concept, Honda announced a line of new electric and hybrid vehicles that they plan to launch by 2018. Using the new Honda Earth Dreams Technology powertrains, these vehicles aim to continue Honda’s competition in environmental vehicle market. These new vehicles will include a plug-in hybrid model, a battery-electric vehicle, and more two- and three-motor hybrid systems. Continuing in search for low emissions, Honda announced two new engines: a 4-cylinder VTEC Turbo which we can expect by the end of the year, and a new 1.6 L turbocharged with a hybrid-type energy recovery system for F1 that McLaren will be using at the beginning of the next season in March.
All-New Honda/Acura NSX
Despite its advancements in low-emission technology, arguably the biggest introduction from Honda at the NAIAS was the rebirth of the legend that is the Honda/Acura NSX. Following the wild styling of the concept, Honda unveiled the production version at the show. The new NSX will feature its own race-inspired twin-turbocharged, dual-overhead cam V6 engine, a 9-speed dual clutch transmission. The car will also come with a three electric motor hybrid system, similar to ones use on the McLaren P1 and the Porsche 918, using two motors on the front wheels and one between the engine and transmission. The new NSX will have a multi-material body design including an aluminium and steel sub-frame, a carbon-fiber floor pan and body panels made from a combination of aluminium and sheet molding composite. While it may sound like a typical supercar on paper, Honda promises that this new NSX will challenge the supercar perception much like the first NSX did 25 years ago.
With its many announcements from NAIAS, Honda definitely came to impress. As well as teasing some new models that will be introduced later this year, Honda brought so many new advances in hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell technology to demonstrate to the world. While I might be a fan of American muscle and dream about Hemi’s and tire smoke, the technology that Honda is producing is, in my opinion, changing what cars will be like in the future. WIth this new, impressive technology and the rebirth of the NSX, 2015 may well be the “Year of Honda.”
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