Honda reveals hydrogen-powered sports car concept

Currently producing only one single sporting product, the engineers at Honda are obviously eager to infuse just about everything in their model lineup with a degree of sporting character. From the tenacious Honda Civic Si to the new, more powerful Acura TL, they've taken a page from Ford's old "Total Performance" book by placing a high priority on vehicle dynamics across the line.

And that includes taking the same approach in even the most unexpected direction. Surprising the masses at the LA Auto Show, the FC Sport concept showcases what Honda's performance engineers can do to the hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity sedan's 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."

A unique three-seater layout, last utilized in the iconic McLaren F1, reportedly facilitates the use of a modular hydrogen fuel cell powertrain, allowing a lower centre of gravity and superior aerodynamics. Packaging the majority of the hydrogen and electrical systems between the axles helps maintain a balanced weight distribution, however, the placement of the FC Sport-specific high output hydrogen fuel stack between the rear seats has certain crash standard technicians scratching their heads as to the concept's viability as a production model.

From the rear view a pair of fuel storage tanks is visible from above, while the uniquely styled front end hides the electric drive motors. And no, you won't be turning any wrenches on this little pocket rocket in your own garage.

Aerodynamically, the FC Sport borrows heavily from the lessons learned by Honda's resident F1 team (and painful lessons they've been). Barge boards split the air ahead of the front wheels, while a series of hex forms at the vehicle's rear house the radiators, keeping the powertrain within operating temperatures. And whilst Honda claims the Glacier White paint "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," we can't help but wonder if it wasn't chosen simply because it looks cool.

In either case, Honda's press materials include a few citations of the word "supercar," which leads to some very interesting questions. Completely devoid of specifications, there's no speculation on the vehicle's performance figures, and whilst the canopied cockpit, strange seating layout, and completely NHTSA-unfriendly bodywork may have many critics screaming "crazy concept," there may be a grain of truth in Honda's desire to produce a viable hydrogen-powered sports coupe.

Release from Honda

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.