New York 2017: Honda Clarity PHEV and EV Unveiled

Honda has unveiled the all-new Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) and all-electric(EV) versions of its Honda Clarity model, which will join the fuel cell vehicle (FCV) model, to offer three advanced electrified powertrain options for the North American market.

Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV)

The Clarity Plug-in Hybrid utilizes a 1.5-liter Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder engine, paired to an 181hp electric motor producing 314Nm of torque. The electric motor is powered by a 17 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery pack. The battery pack is has a recharge time of 2.5 hours at 240 volts. Honda claims the Clarity PHEV will return an overall driving range in excess 531km.

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The Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid, which is due for sale later this year and is expected to deliver an all-electric driving range rating of up to 67km, the longest of any midsize PHEV. The Clarity Plug-in Hybrid is anticipated to earn a combined economy of 105 MPGe (miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent) combined on the 2017 American EPA cycle. To put that figure into clearer perspective, the Clarity PHEV will return a parsimonious 2.4 litres/100km.

The Clarity Plug-in Hybrid features three selectable modes – Normal, Econ and Sport – allowing drivers to switch between efficiency or driving performance. A fourth mode, HV mode – is provided to maintain the battery's state of charge and can be selected in conjunction with Normal, Econ and Sport driving modes.

Full-Electric (EV)

The 2017 Honda Clarity EV is powered by a 161hp (120-kilowatt) electric motor producing 299Nm of torque and draws power from a 25.5 kWh battery pack.

The vehicle can be fully charged in just over three hours at 240 volts. When using DC fast charging, Honda claims the Clarity EV will achieve 80 percent charge in just 30 minutes.

Like the Clarity Plug-in Hybrid, the Clarity Electric features three selectable driving modes – Normal, Econ and Sport. The Clarity Electric will launch later this year, starting with a lease program in certain American states.

Fuel Cell (FCV)

First unveiled at the 2015 Tokyo motor show, Honda began deliveries of the Clarity Fuel Cell (FCV) in December 2016 in select California markets, where a network of hydrogen stations continues to grow, and has already delivered more than 100 vehicles.

The compact fuel cell and integrated powertrain, now comparable in size to a V-6 engine, fits entirely under the hood of the car. The Clarity’s FCV fuel cell stack is 33 percent more compact, with a 60 percent increase in power density compared to its predecessor, the Honda FCX Clarity. Power is rated at 174hp.

All Clarity models also feature Display Audio with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and the full suite of Honda Sensing safety and driver-assistive technologies.

The Clarity series will contribute to an anticipated five-fold increase in Honda's U.S. sales of electrified vehicles over the next four years, as the company works toward its target of two-thirds of its global automobile sales to come from electrified vehicles by 2030. Honda targets U.S. sales of 75,000 Clarity vehicles in the first four model years.