On the same day that Toyota announced plans for a hydrogen fueling infastructure on the Northeast, Honda showed off their next-generation fuel cell vehicle, re-affirming that Japan is “all-in” on hydrogen vehicles.
Japan’s biggest auto maker officially announced the moniker “Mirai” for its fuel-cell vehicle, as well as vague plans for an American introduction stating
“Toyota is collaborating with Air Liquide to develop and supply a phased network of 12 state-of-the-art hydrogen stations targeted for New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. The states and locations have been strategically selected in the greater New York and Boston areas to provide the backbone of a hydrogen highway for the Northeast corridor. Specific details of the collaboration will be revealed in the coming months.”
Honda also announced a concept of their next-generation FCX, which has a range of 300 miles and an expected re-fueling time of 3-5 minutes. While power has increased by 60 percent and the size of the fuel cell stack has shrunk by 30 percent, the big news is that the technology now allows for 5 passenger seating, whereas the previous FCX had Chevrolet Volt-like seating for four bisected by a large center tunnel.
While Nissan remains committed to EV technology, Honda and Toyota have firmly planted themselves in the hydrogen camp. Backed by massive subsidies and infrastructure projects from the Japanese government, the two auto makers have pivoted away from EVs and towards hydrogen fuel cells as the alternative powertrain of the future. The two big auto makers are likely betting on the generous government investment, the ability to scale hydrogen fuel cells to different bodystyles and the advances in hydrogen production (backed by cheap natural gas) to help spur adoption of FCVs. Of course, the market will decide the victor in the end.
The good news is that it looks like it belongs in Back to the Future.
The bad news is the stylish panel gap that makes a ’73 Plymouth look like a Lexus.
The panel gap is just from the Alien being birthed in front.
And our ’72 Plymouth *was* a Lexus. For ride, anyway.
Gentlemen, the new Cadillac Fleetwood D’Elegance has arrived. A modern take on the 1990 classic. Now with standard fender skirts and optional Gold Key*.
*Only available at select Cadillac-Chevrolet dealers.
I think I just threw up in my mouth a little. OK carve…pull it together…if you can’t say anything nice don’t say anything at all. OK…I REALLY like the windshield-to-roof transition and thin A-pillar- nicely done!
I can’t take it! That beltline…that front overhang…the “hips”, incorporating a fat butt, fake intake, awkward will opening, and a poorly executed wheel skirt (which probably will come back one day for purely functional reasons). At least it uses a soon to be obsolete powertrain that’ll never catch on.
Why does the front end remind me of Jar Jar Binks?
My initial review in three letters (KISS):
LOL
Wasn’t this thing in “Demolition Man”?
I actually liked the Voyage.
http://img.infocoches.com/img/cadillac/1988-Voyage_Concept/cadillac_1988-Voyage_Concept-002_1.jpg
They did actually make that car
1996 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham
http://www.mcsmk8.com/96-BRHM-BLK/HR/96-BRHM-06.JPG
Best of all, its a Cadillac.
Meanwhile in Cadillac’s Manhattan Penthouse…
JdN: Nein nein nein! Dies ist nicht ein Cadillac ! Ein Cadillac muss seine Besitzer und Zuschauer mit plumpen Aussehen, null Komfort und engen Fahrgastraum zu beleidigen !
Mary Barra: You ok, brah?
I actually think it looks pretty cool…certainly a lot better than the Toyota Mirai.
They haven’t learned anything from Tesla or Nissan.
The Leaf is an affordable commuter car that’s cheap to operate. But it’s tied to home and a bit dorky-looking.
Tesla builds beautiful performance cars you can drive anywhere. But it’s expensive.
Instead, Toyota and Honda have built a dorky, expensive car that’s tied to home. Genius.
Tell me how much these cars will cost as well as their range and you know what their future holds in the marketplace
Toyota says the Mirai will be priced at $57500.
And they’ve admitted they’ll lose a bundle on every one. At least Nissan and Tesla are sort of nearing profitability on their EVs.
Back to the future? Put fins on it and it would look like a mid-fifties concept car!
The rear flank treatment look like something I have seen on US cars of the period.
Tacky wheels but they are the fashion.
the electron wins
The question is: Are these FCEVs or FCICEs?
FECES
My first laugh of Tuesday!
“backed by cheap natural gas”.
Cheap for now, like all fossil fuels. The true cost is being ignored, because it may not be due in the short term.
Back to the “future”, indeed.
The difference is that natural gas is renewable… Care for a bean burrito?
You are just on fire today.
Sure ’em… damn burritos
Poor little oblivious Honda is being lead by the nose into bankruptcy by big crafty Toyota. Hydrogen pipedream plus Formula One over spending will be the doom for Honda, until they can find their own direction again.