LA 2008: Honda pulls a surprise with FC Sport concept
by Sam Abuelsamid on Nov 19th 2008 at 3:23PM 
Click the FC Sport concept for a high res gallery
In an age when there are fewer and fewer surprises at auto shows as embargoes get broken and information leaks out early, Honda pulled off a big surprise at the LA Auto Show this morning. After showing the year old CR-Z concept and the Insight hybrid concept that debuted at the Paris show, product planning manager Dan Bonawitz unveiled a brand new concept. The FC Sport was created to show off the packaging flexibility that is possible with hydrogen fuel cells. Using the V-Flow fuel cell stack and electric drivetrain from the FCX Clarity, the FC Sport is a three-seat sports car. The stack and drive system are moved to the back of the car for a mid-ship arrangement. The seating arrangement is similar to that of the McLaren F1 supercar of the '90s with the driver front and center and the two passengers set back on either side. For now the car is strictly a non-functional styling concept but such concepts from Honda don't usually stay that way for long. Gallery: Honda FC Sport Design Study
Gallery: LA 2008: Honda FC Sport live reveal
Photos Copyright ©2008 Sam Abuelsamid and Sebastian Blanco / Weblogs, Inc.
Honda FC Sport Design Study Suggests Hydrogen Sports Car Future
Innovative fuel cell packaging demonstrates green performance potential
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 19, 2008 – Honda today revealed the Honda FC Sport design study model, a hydrogen-powered, three-seat sports car concept, at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show.
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.
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The ideal placement of the Honda V-Flow fuel cell stack and related components demonstrates the benefits of a platform-specific, hydrogen-powered fuel cell powertrain. The FC Sport is configured 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 sleek, low-profile body is designed to convey a high-technology appearance with sculpting that combines angular shapes in the front of the vehicle that taper into geometric, hex forms in the rear. The rear hex forms house cooling radiators for the fuel cell. Formula 1-style barge boards behind the front wheels enhance high speed aerodynamics and convey the vehicle's racing pedigree. The hydrogen storage tanks, visible from the rear deck, showcase the FC Sports fuel cell technology in much the same way that a "naked bike" motorcycle showcases its engineering technology.
The glacier white body color 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. Green construction techniques further contribute to a reduced carbon footprint. An organic, bio-structure theme is carried through to the body construction where exterior panels are intended to use plant-derived bio-plastics.
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 ultimate Honda sports car. Designer Jason Wilbur led the design efforts.
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Honda R&D Americas, Inc. began its operations in California in 1975 with local market research activities and has steadily grown its capabilities over the past 33 years to include all aspects of new vehicle design and development. Recent development efforts include trend-setting products such as the Honda Pilot, Ridgeline, Element, Civic Coupe and Civic Si.
In 2008, the company opened two new design centers in Southern California: the Acura Design Studio (Torrance), for the research and design of new Acura products; and the Advanced Design Studio (Pasadena), for the exploration and development of advanced design themes for both Honda and Acura.
The company operates 11 major R&D facilities in North America, including a full vehicle development center in Raymond, Ohio, and three design studios in Southern California. Honda R&D designers, engineers and support personnel are engaged in the development of Honda and Acura automobiles, powersports products, and power equipment for North America and global markets. The company's main centers of operation include the Los Angeles Center (Torrance, California), responsible for market research, concept development and styling design; the Ohio Center (Raymond, Ohio), responsible for complete product development, testing, and support of North American supplier and manufacturing operations; and a dynamic test facility in Cantil, California.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Torrent 3:47PM (11/19/2008)
This isn't right.
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Chris 4:28PM (11/19/2008)
Is it just me or does the front of this thing look like a Transformer(tm)? Maybe this is for the next movie?
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Stan-O 6:04PM (11/19/2008)
Run for your life, it's a cylon with wheels!
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Chris M 9:11PM (11/19/2008)
I suspect this will remain a styling exercise. Existing H2 fuel cell cars are not known for high performance, the high cost of materials limits size and power of the fuel cell.
While it is technically feasible to make a high power H2 fuel cell car, the 2 million dollar price tag would most certainly limit the market appeal!
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rob 10:32PM (11/19/2008)
While we'll probably never see this in production, it may be instructive for clues to Honda's next-generation NSX "budget supercar."
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gorr 12:10AM (11/20/2008)
This car prototype might beat a porsche or corvette or a ferrari and is designed in california u.s.a. It is non-polluting. So i might go see it next year in a showroom in canada. I want a set of tires for some track days, too.
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Chris M 2:41AM (11/21/2008)
Sorry, it wouldn't beat Granny in her walker. This is a non-functional "styling exercise" without an actual fuel cell or motor or any other power plant.
GOT 6:18AM (11/20/2008)
Awesome! Very cool looking! I want one.
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JamesWB 6:19AM (11/20/2008)
Tone down the looks a bit, get rid of all the hydrogen myth junk and put a real engine in it and it might be ok.
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Level 5 7:14AM (11/20/2008)
Great googa mooga. That might actually be one of the worst looking cars I've ever seen. I really hope that this never makes it past the concept stage. It really looks like something that could had been in Starfox for Super Nintendo.
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MikeInNC 7:58AM (11/20/2008)
Looks like a Lamborghini Civic. I like it.
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YesWeCan 8:28AM (11/20/2008)
Awesome!
One of the best looking concepts in a LONG time...from any automaker.
I pray to GOD they make it...or something similar.
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john riley 8:40AM (11/20/2008)
Show me the Accord-based crossover or a US market Stream.
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Andrew 8:26PM (11/20/2008)
I'm in for 1. up to $85,000.
The first one probably cost $2,000,000 but in no time they would be kicking them out for $25,000.
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Chris M 2:38AM (11/21/2008)
"kicking them out for $25,000"? Not likely.
Unless several major breakthroughs occur in both H2 fuel cell technology and in H2 storage, that won't happen. The cost of the high pressure carbon fiber tanks alone is well over that price. The H2 fuel cells for a regular car with modest performance are about a half million dollars, due to the expensive platinum catalyst required, a high performance version would need more platinum and be even more expensive.
A $25,000 Electric Tesla Roadster would be more probable. (and I'm not holding my breath for that, either).
gorr 1:33PM (11/20/2008)
@ yeswecan
'I pray to GOD they make it...or something similar'
Honda already make and rent something similar, it's called the fcx clarity. It's the only similar thing on the real market right now but it's only available in california at 600$/months in limited quantity. The clarity is a confortable completelly new sedan and this prototype have the same basic mechanical architecture except carbon fiber and aluminium instead of steel, rear fuelcell location instead of in the front. It's a super sport design and the clarity a confortable luxury sedan.
It's 2 steps from been a flying car and actual cars for sale by toyota, gm and the rest will never be a flying car because of fondamental desigh flaws and are not good buys for the future because you will be unable to modify it to fly.
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Chris M 2:30AM (11/21/2008)
Um, I think he was referring to the appearance, not the power plant. Honda doesn't make anything like this appearance wise, but it does have a vague resemblance to some Lamborghinis.
David Brown 1:28PM (11/21/2008)
This is great. Some of the styling tweaks need settling out, I agree, but a three-seat, mid-engine Honda - sweet. Sign me up. If its fuel cell I do wonder if Honda will sell it at a loss to make it affordable, or if it will start as a parallel or perhaps serial hybrid. The greener the better - and keep the 1+2 seating. That's nice!
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Mike 2:41PM (11/21/2008)
Absolutely Beautiful
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NuShrike 5:02AM (11/25/2008)
Smooth out it out in real wind-tunnel lines (don't pull a Volt), get rid of the cold-fusion engine, and maybe we can look at more real-world vehicles.
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