2014 Honda Cr-v Ex on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Honda Clarity proves hydrogen future always costs $500/month

How do you price the only car in its class? The closest thing to a Honda Clarity is the Toyota Mirai. They're both hydrogen-powered sedans, but one seats five and the other only four (the Mirai loses out, there). The only other hydrogen-powered vehicle available in the US, the Hyundai Tucson CUV, is, well, a CUV. So, really, there's no direct competitor to the Clarity. But you wouldn't know that from the price tag. Speaking this morning at the Washington Auto Show, Honda executive vice president John Mendel announced that the Clarity will have an MSRP of around $60,000 and will lease for "under $500" a month. As with other Honda vehicles, the exact numbers won't be made public until closer to the vehicle's launch date, but we assume things won't change too much. For those keeping track, those Clarity numbers are pretty much exactly what the Mirai costs. That car costs $57,500 and leases for $499/month. The Tucson can only be leased, but it, too, costs $499 a month. The Mirai and Tucson also come with free hydrogen. Honda didn't say today if the Clarity will include that bonus, but since not all hydrogen stations in California - the only place where the Clarity will be available for now – work like standard pumps, there's a good chance new hydrogen Honda owners will be able to fuel for free, too. We'll know more when the Clarity actually goes on sale – and it will be for sale and lease – later this year. Related Video: Honda Shares Clarity Fuel Cell U.S. Pricing and Sales Plans Jan 21, 2016 - WASHINGTON, D.C. Five-passenger Clarity Fuel Cell sedan slated to launch in California before the end of 2016 Expected price around $60,000 with a targeted monthly lease under $500 Next-generation Honda FCV provides significant gains in packaging, interior space and real-world performance, including an anticipated driving range in excess of 300 miles Additionally, the platform underpinning the Clarity Fuel Cell will serve as the base for a next-generation Honda plug-in hybrid to launch in the U.S. by 2018 Honda today announced the company's plans for U.S. sales of its new 5-passenger, hydrogen-powered Clarity Fuel Cell sedan at the 2016 Washington, D.C. Auto Show. Slated to begin retail leasing to customers in select California markets before the end of 2016, the Clarity Fuel Cell is expected to be priced around $60,000 with a targeted monthly lease under $500. Honda expects limited volumes in the early stages of production.

Watch Obama kick the ball around with Honda's latest ASIMO

Bend it like Obama. The Commander-In-Chief was just in Japan for a state visit, and his trip took him to a science expo, where he played a bit of soccer with Honda's latest ASIMO robot. The entire scene was captured on video, and showed the innovative robot as it ran, hopped and kicked a soccer ball to a bemused President Obama.
ASIMO had a number of upgrades ahead of its meeting with the president, which were originally shown off to the crowds at the 2014 New York Auto Show. These tweaks to the 110-pound robot included a number of changes in both its upper and lower body to improve stability, speed and balance. Although not shown in this video, Honda claims the lower-body upgrades allow ASIMO to climb faster and more smoothly than ever before. Its hands are more dexterous and expressive, as well, while new sensors give it an even better sense of touch.
Before ASIMO smoothly and effortlessly jogged across the stage, the robot and the President had a brief chat. According to The Wall Street Journal, Obama later told students at the Miraikan Science Expo in Tokyo that ASIMO and the other robots at the fair "were a little scary. They were too lifelike."

IndyCars parade across Golden Gate Bridge for Justin Wilson [w/video]

Seeing IndyCars driving on public roads is a rare treat, especially on an iconic landmark like the Golden Gate Bridge. Unfortunately, the exciting sight came on a very somber occasion. On August 27, a parade of five racecars sped across the famous span in large part to memorialize fellow driver Justin Wilson. In an incredibly touching scene, teammate Marco Andretti led the pack, and he was behind the wheel of Wilson's number 25 Andretti Autosport Honda. "It was an honor to drive Justin's car. It was emotional for sure," Andretti said to the IndyCar Series. Behind him were Graham Rahal, Will Power, and Josef Newgarden. James Hinchcliffe was in a two-seater IndyCar to deliver the Aston Cup to the season finale at Sonoma Raceway. Two safety vehicles were also part of the procession, and they were flying Justin Wilson flags. Wilson passed away earlier this week after being struck in the head by a carbon-fiber nosecone from a crash ahead of him during the ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway. Since then there has been an outpouring of support from the motorsport world for the 37-year-old racer's family. You can watch a clip of the driver's crossing the Bridge, below. News Source: NBC Bay Area, IndyCarImage Credit: Eric Risberg / AP Photo Motorsports Honda Racing Vehicles Videos IndyCar andretti autosport james hinchcliffe sonoma raceway golden gate bridge josef newgarden