For Honda, the next few years have the potential to be landmark.
At the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, the Japanese brand announced several forthcoming innovations and model releases, the most notable of which being a production fuel cell vehicle.
The hydrogen-powered sedan, based on the FCV Concept, will hit American roads in 2016. The car first premiered in Japan last November and features an estimated driving range “in excess of 300 miles.” It also boasts a refueling time of approximately 3 minutes and a fuel cell stack fits entirely under its contoured hood. Output is preliminarily rated at 134 horsepower.
The concept’s styling is futuristic and progressive, and will likely be altered for the production model. Many of the roomy interior elements will carry over though, and unlike its competition from Toyota, the FCV Concept seats five.
In addition, the brand is expected to debut new “advanced environmental vehicles” by 2018, including a plug-in hybrid and an EV. The models will launch fresh ‘Earth Dreams’ powertrains, bolstered by two and three-motor hybrid systems and all-new technologies.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the company announced that the second-generation Acura NSX will be available to order starting in summer 2015. The supercar will be delivered later in the year.
New turbo VTEC engines will be introduced before 2015 comes to a close, all of which will be four-cylinders. The four-pots will provide “fun-to-drive performance while supporting fuel efficiency at a very high level,” Honda says, and will be built at the manufacturer’s Anna, Ohio engine plant.
In Formula One news, Honda F1 will return to the tarmac this year in the form of McLaren’s engine supplier. A 1.6-liter turbocharged engine will be unveiled at the series opener on March 15th, and equips hybrid-type kinetic and thermal energy recovery systems.
For those who prefer travel at 30,000-feet, the automaker’s ‘HondaJet’ light aircraft will commence deliveries in 2015 after it becomes FAA certified.
