With the debut of Honda’s FC Sport concept car the the LA Auto Show today, car enthusiasts can rest assured high-performance vehicles will have a place in a world without carbon emissions. Honda surprised us with the launch of the new hydrogen-powered concept car, which seats three and employs the technology from the FCX Clarity sedan in a decidedly exotic package.
“The Honda FC Sport explores how to satisfy automotive performance enthusiasts in a world beyond petroleum,” said Dan Bonawitz, vice president of American Honda. “People who love sports cars will still have a reason to love in a hydrogen-powered future.”
The FC Sport emphasizes the design flexibility of Honda’s V Flow fuel cell technology. Rather than propel a practical family sedan as it does in the case of the FCX Clarity, the powertrain is being used in a lightweight sports car design with an ultra-low center of gravity, powerful electric motor performance and zero-emissions.
The FC Sport was designed 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 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 all-new sports car. Designer Jason Wilbur led the design efforts.
11/19, 5:38 PM
posted by:
Andre Neves
It would look decent if they redid the back. Other than that, not bad. Of course this a concept, so it would never be produced.
11/19, 5:53 PM
posted by:
atoms
it looks like a star wars clone trooper crossed with a lamborghini and the back of the space shuttle, certainly is….. interesting
11/19, 5:57 PM
posted by:
t-ak-box
Thankfully this will only be a concept. It’s interesting but that backend is gag inducing.
11/19, 6:00 PM
posted by:
christianboy10
I know its just a concept but does it have to be that ugly?
11/19, 6:10 PM
posted by:
bolex
this should have been the NSX—minus that rear end
11/19, 6:12 PM
posted by:
zoomzoomer
I agree bolex.. now if they made THIS the NSX that would be something! That other Corvette/Z pretender doesn’t deserve the name.
11/19, 6:22 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
That car looks like ass.
11/19, 6:23 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
The back end looks great. Now where do I find the adapter to charge my BlackBerry?
11/19, 6:49 PM
posted by:
haywire
Honda proves once again it can’t afford good designers and has no sense of style. It is having a case of the Subaru/Mitsubishi styling blues. Different is only good if it ain’t ugly. This car is UGLY!
11/19, 7:15 PM
posted by:
Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3
Anime automobile.
11/19, 7:18 PM
posted by:
Lau
I don’t think world-wide acceptance is what Honda was aiming for the style of this car, so i don’t mind the look.
11/19, 7:41 PM
posted by:
Andre Neves
haywire,
How’s that new Sebring treating ya? Haven’t seen you on here in a while.
11/19, 8:11 PM
posted by:
Commodore
No.
11/19, 8:15 PM
posted by:
AxeHead
Back end looks like a constipated asshole.
11/19, 8:28 PM
posted by:
christianboy10
Look at that dude in the first picture trying to hide the ugly rear end
11/19, 10:28 PM
posted by:
inspire
I’m sure the rear end is designed for aerodynamics … but they could have made it a lot less extreme. Of course this is a concept and I’m sure a design like this would probably not pass crashworthiness. Practically speaking, how would anyone park that car? (ie parallel park or back into a spot) The design engineers haven’t spoken to the bean counters so obviously this design won’t get past the concept stage without major revisions …
Well … I will give some credit for Honda to bring a ’surprise’ product to the autoshow. Different? Yes … Acceptable? Very questionable.
11/19, 11:10 PM
posted by:
olds307
just when you though Honda reached the pinnacle of ugliness……..
11/19, 11:13 PM
posted by:
tyler_is_aero_tt
Wow, I agree olds307.
11/20, 2:59 AM
posted by:
cereal
I just threw up in my mouth a few times.
Yay! Now we know what they’ll make the next Insight (after the upcoming one) look like! SWEET!
-eat your cereal
11/20, 5:25 AM
posted by:
JohnnyBlazE
Better than the NSX up front, but the rear is haemerroidal!
11/20, 8:53 AM
posted by:
Got Handling?
That’s not the back of a space shuttle, its the back of a monochrome baboon, keep watching and you’ll see Eddie Izzard punching it
11/20, 11:35 AM
posted by:
BMW M1
@Johnny: hahahaha
The front looks great, but all the proportions are completely ruined by that FUGLY rear. Agree with all the ppl above, this shouldve been the NSX minus the rear
11/20, 8:19 PM
posted by:
wobbs
nice from the front rear but the rear looks like its had a a rectral prolapse wtf is going on Honday surely this cant be the best they can come up with
11/21, 2:36 PM
posted by:
Borat
It is so ugly, that it has to have some means of delivering terrific oral sex while transporting driver and passenger.
11/30, 2:46 PM
posted by:
Bag_it_08
Honestly you guys need to start thinking outside the box… This car is awesome! Yeah it does look kinda weird at first, but Honda designed it for the future not for today. I doubt everyone in the future will see todays car models as a well designed automobile. If everyone on here were designers of automobiles, the world would be stuck driving V8 classic cars (Nothing wrong with them, but its time for a change).
12/04, 4:44 AM
posted by:
koenigsegg ccr
Just when you thought that honda couldnt get any uglier……