Honda Expands Clarity Lineup With New PHEV & EV In New York


If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. That might as well be Honda's motto when it comes to its line of dedicated electrified vehicles. And here's its latest attempt.

Following two generations of Insight (not to mention the CR-Z), Honda has adapted its Clarity fuel-cell vehicle to run on electricity instead of hydrogen. In a move similar to Hyundai's Ioniq, the Clarity will now be offered with a choice of three electric powertrains: the hydrogen fuel-cell version launched this past December, plus the new plug-in hybrid and pure EV variants revealed today at the 2017 New York Auto Show.

The 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid is driven by an electric motor rated at 181 horsepower and 232 lb-ft of torque, juiced by a 17-kWh battery pack. There's a 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine on board as well, but that (as you might have guessed from its orientation) is there mostly to generate electricity and extend its range. “Under certain conditions,” though, it can drive the wheels directly.

The sum total is a total range estimated to exceed 330 miles (42 on electric power alone), returning an anticipated EPA rating of 105 MPGe. A full charge is expected to take two and a half hours on 240-volt power.

Alongside the PHEV, Honda also revealed the new Clarity Electric – doing away with the fuel cell and range-extenders of its stablemates entirely to fully embrace the battery EV method. Here the electric motor is less potent than the PHEV's but the battery packs more juice: the electric motor is rated at 161 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque, while the battery pack churns out 25.5 kWh.

The anticipated combined EPA rating of 111 MPGe will best the hybrid's, but the manufacturer isn't saying just yet how far it expects the pure EV version will go between charges.

With the fuel-cell variant (often depicted in burgundy) already offered in select parts of California, Honda will next roll out the EV (pictured in blue) later this year though still as a 2017 model, starting in Oregon and (you guessed it) California.
The plug-in hybrid (pictured above in green) will ostensibly launch later as a 2018 model, but Honda expects this version will be the most popular choice, so it's offering it in two distinct trim levels (standard and Touring). Another dedicated hybrid model is slated to arrive next year and will be made in America.









Carscoops

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Limited Edition Ford GT 'Competition Series' Is All About The Track

Image
Ford's new GT Competition Series was built with weight-saving in mind, but also with an improved center of gravity for better road-holding. Among its features, you'll notice the lightweight carbon fiber racing stripes, A-Pillars and side mirrors, as well as the unique race-inspired Perspex acrylic engine hatch with integrated venting. Thanks to the manual latch and the carbon fiber prop rod, weight near the roof has been reduced, though Ford engineers went even further in their quest to make the car lighter, by making the bulkhead Gorilla Glass behind the driver about half as thick (and as light) as on other models. "The Ford GT has racing in its blood," said Ford exec Raj Nair, while adding that the Competition Series "was developed with the most hardcore track enthusiasts in mind, providing a tailored set of lightweight features and unique livery to match." There are also plenty of remaining performance features from the production car, such as ...
Read more

Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet Is A Crossover For Droptop Lovers

Image
Droptop crossovers have always been rather odd and the T-Roc Cabriolet is no different. It will be the only convertible Volkswagen on sale for the foreseeable future and will celebrate its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Rather than simply removing the roof of the standard T-Roc, Volkswagen has drastically altered the vehicle’s structure and body. In fact, its wheelbase is 37 mm longer than the standard T-Roc while its overall length is up by 34 mm. In addition, the Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet features structural strengthening in the underbody, side panels, cross members, doors, and windscreen frame to make up for the lack of a roof. The folding fabric roof developed by Volkswagen retracts in just nine seconds at speeds of up to 19 mph (30.5 km/h) and is similar in operation to the roof of the outgoing Golf Cabriolet. The presence of the soft top reduces trunk space by 161 liters down from the 284 liters of the run-of-the-mill T-Roc. We don’t think bu...
Read more

Alpine A110 Hits Geneva With Pure, Legende And GT4 Versions

Image
Renault’s reborn Alpine brand has been getting rave reviews for its new A110 and now, as promised, it’s revealed new versions of its coupe at the Geneva Motor Show. Following the success of the sold-out Premiere Edition, the A110 will now be offered in Pure and Legende trims. The A110 Pure is targeted at driving enthusiasts. It features one-piece Sabelt sports seats that weigh barely more than 13 kilograms (28.6 pounds) each and, combined with other weight-saving measures, helps keep the curb weight below 1,100 kg ( 2,425 lbs). It’s not entirely stripped out, though, and still comes with features like air-conditioning and satellite navigation. Buyers can also add upgraded Brembo brakes and an adaptive exhaust system and can upgrade to the adjustable comfort seats. Those come standard on the Legende model, which is geared more towards every day driving and grand touring and comes with leather upholstery. Customers can also choose between two Focal sound systems and two wheel...
Read more