While automakers like BMW and Hyundai have been frequently dedicated to hydrogen fuel-cell automobiles for the long run, it’s been just a few years since Honda’s fuel-cell Clarity went out of manufacturing. But Honda has been considerably quietly engaged on its subsequent era of hydrogen automobiles, and now the primary has made its debut. Meet the CR-V e:FCEV, a gas cell model of the CR-V crossover that’ll go on sale later this yr.
The CR-V e:FCEV isn’t simply any hydrogen-powered car, both — Honda says it’s the primary plug-in-hybrid fuel-cell car that shall be offered within the U.S., that means it may be plugged in for some EV vary along with utilizing the hydrogen fuel-cell system. The centerpiece of the e:FCEV is a singular powertrain setup that was designed in-house by Honda. A 92.2-kWh fuel-cell module is paired with a front-mounted electrical motor making 174 horsepower and 224 pound-feet of torque, and there’s additionally a 17.7-kWh battery pack. The result’s 270 whole miles of emissions-free driving and 29 miles of all-electric driving vary.
To keep away from this simply being some emissions-free equipment, Honda says it targeted on making the fuel-cell CR-V enjoyable to drive. In addition to selectable drive modes that embrace Snow and Sport, Honda engineers re-tuned the MacPherson strut entrance suspension and multilink rear suspension. Rear torsional and lateral rigidity has improved as properly when in comparison with the gas-powered CR-V fashions.
Honda isn’t giving consumers many decisions in terms of trims, although. The CR-V e:FCEV will solely be provided within the absolutely loaded Touring trim, which can come properly outfitted with customary options like a ten.2-inch digital gauge cluster, a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12-speaker Bose sound system, a heated steering wheel and heated seats which can be lined in bio-based leather-based.
The CR-V e:FCEV additionally seems a bit totally different than the remainder of the CR-V lineup. It will get a particular entrance fascia with bigger bumper intakes, slimmer headlights, black 18-inch wheels, a singular rear bumper, and clear taillights. Honda isn’t speaking pricing on the CR-V e:FCEV simply but, however it’s set to go on sale later this yr and shall be made in the identical Ohio facility the place Acura manufactured the NSX. However, it’ll solely be out there to lease, and solely prospects in California will have the ability to lease it.
While this new fuel-cell CR-V is actually distinctive, Honda is taking of venture by providing it. The model is dedicated to having battery electrical and gas cell automobiles be 100% of its lineup by 2040, however hydrogen looks as if a dangerous factor to wager on. The fueling infrastructure is essentially rubbish and has solely gotten worse, as Shell Hydrogen lately introduced that it’s pulling out of California and shutting 55 fueling stations throughout the state. Here’s to hoping Honda can discover sufficient consumers prepared to take a dive on a car they’ll probably wrestle to refuel.
Source: jalopnik.com