Honda's New Supercar Goes Fuel Cell

For a relatively conservative car company, Honda surprised nearly everyone with its latest fuel cell-powered sports car concept.

Unveiled at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show, the Honda FC Sport is a design study model showcasing Honda’s hydrogen fuel cell technology in a high-performance package.

Although the technology has already been detailed in Honda’s rather plain-looking FCX Clarity sedan, the FC Sport concept retools the hydrogen power plant into “a lightweight sports car design with an ultra-low center of gravity, powerful electric motor performance and zero-emissions.” In other words, the FC Sport concept is to be Honda’s zero-emissions vehicle that won’t be a snooze to drive.

“The Honda FC Sport explores how to satisfy automotive performance enthusiasts in a world beyond petroleum,” said Dan Bonawitz, vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “People who love sports cars will still have a reason to love in a hydrogen-powered future.”

The FC Sport configures the majority of the weight between the axles, hopefully creating an even, mid-engine-like feel. Further helping handling are the battery packs’ placement as low in the car as possible, lowering the car’s center of gravity.

Besides plain physics, the FC Sport also features a desirable driving position in the middle of the windshield with two passengers set back and at the driver’s either side – a layout commonly associated with the McLaren F1.

Honda has traditionally shown off concept vehicles that are very close to the final production models, and we can only hope that the FC Sport, whenever it becomes a reality, will retain all the characteristics in the concept.

See the full press release and gallery at AutoBlogGreen.