Thanks to Tesla, Ford and BMW, a lot of the attention in the alt-fuel and electric-car market seems to have been turned away from Honda lately. Not quite ready to have its thunder stolen, Honda’s striking back with a design study for its next generation of fuel-cell electric vehicles.
In Honda parlance, “Concept” often means “lightly-disguised production vehicle,” so the FCEV Concept’s radical design, teased in sketches, could be worth paying attention to. Honda says that the concept, to be revealed at the Los Angeles International Auto Show later this month, represents a “potential styling direction” for the next-generation FCEV, which is due on our shores in 2015.
The concept drawing shows a familiar Honda grille shape and chrome flourish, with a wind-cheating design and what appear to be skirted rear fenders. The FCEV Concept seems to be a low-roofed coupe or fastback sedan, with large, sporty wheels and a sporty look.
To date Honda has had the fuel-cell market mostly to itself, though other brands have dabbled and BMW put a range of hydrogen-powered concepts on the road. Honda has sold about two dozen FCX Clarity models, and continues to develop its fuel-cell technology as an alternative to battery electric vehicles. There’s a chance that a vehicle based on the FCEV concept could be the next step in Honda’s technological advance.
Details, of course, will have to wait until November 20, when Honda holds its press conference in Los Angeles.
