Honda FC Hydrogen Car

The Honda FC Sport was presented at the LA Auto Show and this car seems to be a toy one. According to the manufacturers it shows an amazing flexibility of design and boasts an unparalleled fuel cell technology. The car was announced to be speedy and eco—friendly.

The new Honda is a hydrogen-powered three-seat sports car and due to the manufacturer’s concept: that it the way how supercars of the future may look. The FC is a lightweight car and it claims to have zero emissions and a very low centre of gravity.


Honda took the wraps off a new hydrogen-powered zero emission vehicle, the Honda FC Sport concept, at the 2008 L.A. Auto Show.

The 3-seater sports car concept shows off a futuristic design penned by Jason Wilbur of Honda's Advanced Design Studio in California.

It was developed "with the primary objective of using existing fuel cell technology as the basis for an ultimate Honda sports car" says the company.

With Honda's Insight and CR-Z hybrid models heading for the show room floor in the next couple of years, and Honda's commitment to sell a quarter of a million hybrids in 2009, it's no surprise to see another low emission vehicle design.

It also lends weight to rumours that the upcoming NSX will have a low emission cylinder deactivation mode, as Honda moves towards creating the world's zero emission sports car.

"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.

The hydrogen fuel cell system generates electricity which runs an electric motor that in turn drives the wheels.

While the method of propulsion will be one of the key marketing points of the new concept car, the design is important too.

Honda FCX Clarity

The 4-door, 4-passenger Honda FCX Clarity is twice as efficient as a hybrid-electric vehicle and three times more efficient than a conventional gasoline vehicle. The driving range is approximately 270 miles, and it has a top speed of 100 mph. It'll do 0-60 mph in 9.2 seconds and yield a gasoline mileage equivalent of 68 mpg.

Hydrogen from an onboard fuel tank and oxygen from the air are combined in a hydrogen fuel cell to make electricity for the vehicle. The electricity then powers the electric motor, which in turn drives the front wheels. Water vapor and heat are the only byproducts.

FCX Clarity's new high-output, high-efficiency electric motor is compact and lightweight. It's powerful (134-hp equivalent) and quiet, and delivers a smooth and efficient ride.

Honda's Vertical Flow fuel cell stack is nothing short of revolutionary. The advanced layout is more efficient than ever, and it allows cold-weather startups, even at minus 30 degrees Celsius.

Auxiliary regenerated energy, captured during deceleration and braking, is stored in a new, high-efficiency lithium-ion battery pack, providing a supplemental power source from a lightweight, compact package that increases the vehicle’s efficiency and range.

A limited number of these cars will be available in southern California beginning in the summer of 2008. They will be leased for three years at $600 per month, but maintenance and collision insurance are included.

Perhaps even more exciting than this announcement is the news that Honda will be integrating their hydrogen cars with a Home Energy Station, which will power the home and produce fuel for the car.

Brabus-2010-Mercedes-E-Class

The recent launched Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe just got an extensive range of tuning packages from BRABUS. For the top version E500 AMG the German tuner introduced a beefed-up 6.1-liter V8 engine (from the stock 5.5-liter) that features a billet crankshaft, larger pistons and special four-valve cylinder heads with custom camshafts. All these help this exquisite coach to churn out 462 hp, to reach 60mph in just 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 196 mph. With additional minor exterior changes that include new front and rear bumpers, 20-inch wheels and vertical front LEDs, the upgrade for the new two door is going to cost you close you $40,000

2009-brabus-mercedes-benz

BRABUS tuning is also available for the SL 65: The BRABUS T 12 S performance kit increases power output by 40 hp (DIN and SAE net) / 29.4 kW. The BRABUS T 65 S power kit bumps power output to 715 hp (705 hp SAE net) / 526 kW and peak torque to 1,100 Nm (811 lb-ft).

The SL 63 AMG also receives some added power with BRABUS B63 S tuning. Sport air filter, high-performance metal catalysts and newly programmed engine electronics add 40 hp (DIN and SAE net) 29.5 kW to the power output of the fast-revving V8 engine, and increase top speed to 320 km/h (200 mph).

The four-valve-V8 engine of the SL 500 (US: SL550) with BRABUS 6.1 S displacement increase produces 462 hp (456 hp SAE net) / 340 kW of power at 6,200 rpm and a peak torque of 615 Nm (453 lb-ft) at 3,100 rpm. The BRABUS 4.0 displacement engine with 332 hp (327 hp SAE net) / 244 kW of power and 420 Nm (310 lb-ft) of torque is available for the V6 four-valve engines of the SL 280 and SL 350.

The stainless-steel BRABUS sport exhaust system with four chrome-plated tailpipes is a must for all BRABUS high-performance engines. But it is also the answer for all SL owners wishing for a sportier exhaust note and for a more striking rear appearance of their two-seater.

To add sporty emphasis to the elegant lines of the new Mercedes SL series, the BRABUS designers went into the wind tunnel to develop a strikingly styled aerodynamic-enhancement kit.

The front of the SL receives some added pizzazz with the BRABUS front apron that replaces the production bumper. It features LED daytime running lights as well as auxiliary high beams and fog lamps, and reduces lift on the front axle at high speeds.

The elegantly shaped BRABUS rocker panels each have three entrance lights integrated into their underside. The lights are activated with the keyless fob or by pulling on an inside door handle. The LED lights illuminate the ground on either side of the vehicle and help avoid unfortunate missteps into puddles or holes in the dark.

The BRABUS design package for the latest SL-class is rounded out by a rear component that integrates environmental lighting, a centrally mounted rear reflector and two cutouts for the sport exhaust system.

Just as important for a customized look are one-piece and multi-piece BRABUS Monoblock light-alloy wheels, which can be mounted on the new roadster in four different designs and with diameters of 17, 18, 19 and 20 inches. The largest possible tire/wheel combination on the new SL features BRABUS Monoblock VI, E or S wheels in size 9Jx20 in front with size 255/30 ZR 20 tires. The rear axle rolls on size 10.5Jx20 wheels with size 305/25 ZR 20 tires. BRABUS recommends high-performance tires from Pirelli and YOKOHAMA.

To further improve the already potent handling capabilities of the new Mercedes SL, BRABUS has developed special suspension solutions. For the SL 280 and 350 models with conventional suspension BRABUS offers its sport springs. For all SL models with ABC active suspension BRABUS has developed an electronic module that lowers the ride height by some 25 millimeters. Sport sway bars reduce body roll.

BRABUS high-performance brake systems for the SL-Class are available in four different versions. The largest one features vented and cross-drilled front discs measuring 375 x 36 mm (14.8 x 1.4 inches), and 12-piston fixed calipers. The rear discs measure 355 x 28 mm (14.0 x 1.1 inches) and come with six-piston fixed calipers.

BRABUS also customizes the interior of the two-seater by upping the level of luxury. The list of products includes scuff plates with illuminated BRABUS-logo, an ergonomically shaped sport steering wheel with shift paddles, and an exclusive BRABUS custom interior crafted from an exquisite combination of especially soft yet durable BRABUS Mastik leather and Alcantara.