’17 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell

Honda's latest fuel-cell vehicle, the '17 Clarity, improves on the two previous generations with a more compact fuel-cell stack and powertrain that fits under the hood of an Accord-sized sedan. Honda expects Clarity to grow its fuel-cell vehicle sales into the thousands of units (see related story: The compact 114-lb. (52-kg) powertrain allows engineers to completely reconfigure the Clarity’s layout compared with the previous generation, installing the fuel-cell stack and drivetrain gear under the hood, freeing up space for the battery under the midship floor where the fuel-cell stack used to reside.

That opens up room under the back seat for a second high-pressure hydrogen tank to add range to the main tank situated behind the rear seats and between the rear wheels. Honda says the new layout allows an increase in seating from four to five passengers and gives the 4,134-lb. (1,875-kg) Clarity a 57/43 front/rear weight distribution.

From the outside, the Clarity high rear decklid echoes the Accord Crosstour in profile while its LED-heavy front end shares some styling elements with Acura’s halo NSX sports car. But the car’s aerodynamic management, including the world’s-first air ducts through the rear door panels, gives the car a distinctive and more futuristic streamliner styling.
The elegant interior, dubbed the Advanced Modern Lounge, raises the bar for alternative-powertrain vehicles. Ultrasuede trim made of recycled yarn accents the dashboard and the door panels, while leather and woodgrain trim bring natural elements to the appearance. The floating center console and horizontal layout contribute to a spacious and unique interior feel.

Rear visibility seems cramped by the high rear package shelf, but a see-through lower window (carried over from the previous Clarity) provides an unexpected extra sightline.

Instruments and gauges, along with an 8.0-in. (20-cm) center display screen, provide ample information on the fuel-cell’s generation level and the range of the vehicle, along with a meter to “coach” economical driving habits. Overall, the layout is simple and intuitive with familiar Honda switchgear and controls.

On our drive through the Southern California foothills, the Clarity offers a premium and quiet ride, atypical of eco-oriented vehicles. There’s very little noise from road, wind, tires or powertrain as the Clarity whirs on its way.

Yoshihiro Atsumi, chief engineer, says three years went into developing the Clarity’s 235/45R18 Michelin Energy Saver tire. Atsumi worked with the French tire maker to ensure the rubber would be compliant and quiet without the harsh ride typical of a low-friction tire, while maintaining good dynamic response for cornering and braking.

“It was similar to development of a tire for a sports car,” Atsumi says.

Like any torquey electrically driven powertrain, power is good at launch and delivery is smooth and strong – even capable of chirping the front tires at times. There is, however, a noticeable flat zone in mid- and higher-speed driving that leaves the driver wishing for a little more response at the expense of fuel efficiency.

That damp response is somewhat mitigated by driving the Clarity in Sport mode, which amps up accelerator response as well as regenerative braking. We’d recommend driving in that mode at all times, unless maximum driving range is your primary objective.

Our stop to add half a tank of hydrogen boosted observed range from 118 miles (190 km) to 254 miles (409 km), short of the vehicle’s EPA projected range but reasonably within the driving needs in California where there are 27 retail hydrogen-refueling outlets. Price at the pump: $16 per kilogram, with each kilogram equivalent to the mileage provided by a gallon of gasoline.

Hydrogen refill quick and easy.

For now, Honda is limiting availability of the Clarity FCV to California, with 100 deliveries so far and projections to lease 50-60 per month going forward. Two more Clarity models, a battery-electric and a plug-in hybrid, debut at the upcoming New York auto show and go on sale later this year. The BEV will be limited to California, but the PHEV will be sold nationwide.

“By increasing the interior space, we’re making this into a normal vehicle and bringing it to the public in greater numbers,” says Ellis. “You could say this is a zero-carbon, ultimate clean car that emits only water, but really we’re trying to move this to the next step.”

A handful of people bought the original FCX, followed by the FCX Clarity that sold in the hundreds, Ellis notes. The new Clarity is expected to sell in the thousands, he says.

“It’s the stair-step approach of aligning the vehicle volumes, vehicle features and customer acceptance with a network of stations as we move forward together,” Ellis says. “We’re really bringing this to a whole new level.”

[email protected] @bobgritzinger

'17 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell Specifications

">Honda Brings Clarity to Fuel-Cell Future).