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Butch Ranger

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Hard cell: Honda utilises the FCX Clarity<br />

sedan’s fuel-cell platform but introduces<br />

an innovative body and interior layout.<br />

Compare, Select and Save<br />

r<br />

distribution outcome – although the<br />

Japanese company has not revealed<br />

what the actual figures are.<br />

Honda says the modular formation<br />

of the fuel cell stack and related<br />

components ideally demonstrates<br />

what can be achieved with a platformspecific,<br />

hydrogen-powered fuel cell<br />

powertrain.<br />

The latter lives between the rear<br />

seats, with a battery pack residing low<br />

in the centre of the FC Sport, while the<br />

electric motor itself is located forward<br />

of the rear axle.<br />

Onlookers might also spot the pair<br />

of hydrogen fuel storage tanks situated<br />

above the rear axle – an addition<br />

that Honda likens to a faring-free<br />

superbike showing off its engineering<br />

and technological prowess.<br />

This opens up a relatively spacious<br />

cabin for a supercar, with enough<br />

room for a trio of seats.<br />

Like the iconic McLaren supercar of<br />

the 1990s, the driver’s pew is placed<br />

in the middle in what Honda refers to<br />

as a “race car-like” cockpit, flanked by<br />

the lucky pair of passengers on either<br />

side and just behind. Entry and egress<br />

occurs via a rear-opening canopy that<br />

lifts upwards.<br />

According to Honda, the FC Sport’s<br />

“sleek, low-profile body is designed to<br />

convey a high-technology appearance<br />

with sculpting that combines angular<br />

shapes in the front of the vehicle that<br />

taper into geometric, hex forms in the<br />

rear”.<br />

Radiators in the rear ‘hex’ cool<br />

the fuel cell stack while high-speed<br />

aerodynamics are aided by Formula<br />

1-style ‘barge boards’ behind the front<br />

wheels.<br />

Besides running on hydrogen power<br />

Ê<br />

N<br />

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4 /13

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