Honda hybrid sportscar conceot
Honda is set to unveil a hybrid sports car, which it said "displays its continued commitment to hybrid car technology". We'll get to see the new motor at the Geneva Motor show next month. The Japanese firm said the Small Hybrid Sports Concept, designed by Honda's European R&D centre in Germany, features "advanced hybrid technology".
Honda UK also announced that it plans to sell some 3,000 hybrid Civics -- more than three times as many this year than last.
Geneva will also see a driveable FCX concept that features a new, compact Honda FC Stack as well as a long-floor, low-riding, short-nose body. The company reckoned it offers "a large, comfortable cabin and futuristic styling along with significant improvements in power output and environmental performance."
The FCX has a range of 354 miles (Honda calculations when driven in LA4 mode) and a top speed limited to 100mph. Limited marketing of a new fuel cell vehicle based on the FCX Concept model is to begin in Japan and the US in 2008.
Honda's also working in making diesels cleaner. Its next-generation diesel engine reduces emissions to the same level of a petrol engine -- Honda claimed a world first for this. The catalytic converter reduces NOx emissions to a level that enables the engine to meet stringent US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier II/Bin 5 requirements.
It uses the reductive reaction of ammonia to ‘detoxify’ oxides of nitrogen (NOx) by converting them into harmless nitrogen (N2). However, unlike Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems which use urea injection, Honda’s innovative technology uses ammonia generated within the catalytic converter. Honda said it plans to introduce its next-generation diesel engine within three years.
Among the other new models on show will be the Civic Type R and the CR-V.
Motorsport
On public display for the first time will be the Honda Racing F1 Team’s brand new race car, and Jenson Button’s new steer for the 2007 season, the RA107. Also at the show is the Civic Type R race car. This motorsport-prepared car is being developed in close cooperation with Italy’s JAS Motorsport, aiming for success on Europe’s race and rally stages. The car is being developed to Group N and Group A spec, as well as the new Group R specifications to be introduced in 2008.
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