(I’ve been working on this for way too long and I’m burnt out on it. Here it is.)
It’s a rare time now when a car can capture my imagination, and it’s even more rare that two cars do. Living in Europe I see cars that we do not normally see in North America, and being there for four years I grew numb of the exotic factor. So now I have this urge to find more imaginative, creative, exotic cars. I’m bored of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, and Ascari. But, there are two manufacturers that have captured my imagination, one new and one that has been around for a very long time.
Tesla Motors and Honda Automotive.
“Honda?! Are you serious? They make cars for old people.”
Yeah, Honda. Honda had left me bored, they left Formula One, their car lineup leaves much desired and Acura’s redesign is best to be said as questionable. But, a few years ago Honda had a concept car that actually got me interested. The FCX, a hydrogen fuel cell based vehicle.
Now, I’m not one much for environmentalism, but I like to do my part here and there (when I can remember). The FCX got my attention. I’m not one for gasoline, I love the smell, but with the constant rising (well, now falling/stable) cost of gas, I wanted an alternative. Hydrogen? Right, hydrogen, so after it’s done going through the motor powering the electric motor, nothing but water and oxygen.
So as you drive all there is, well, good things.
In the FCX the hydrogen motor powers an electric motor that actually powers the car. So in all actuality, the FCX is a hybrid vehicle like the Prius. You’ll get about 77/67 miles per gallon with a range of 280 miles.
Hydrogen powered cars will ultimately be the future unless big energy comes up with a way to burn cleaner fuels to power the electric grid. Which brings us to…
Tesla Motors. The new kid to the block with their pure electric vehicles. Their first vehicle really didn’t grab my attention. The Roadster was a Lotus Elise with redone body work and an electric motor. But their technology of the car was revolutionary enough for me, with further development affordable cars could be had by all.
Now the only issue with a pure electric vehicle is the power. The car will be hooked to your house, which is hooked to a power gird, which is hooked to a power plant. So while the car itself is zero emissions, it still has to be charged from the grid. Not the best thing in the world, but there is always advances in technology.
But, there’s a new model on the horizon the Model S. A bit more affordable (50,000 USD compared to the Roadster’s 100,000 USD price tag), more space (seating for 7), pretty much the same range as the FCX (at most 300 miles compared to 280), but for me the deal breaker is the design of it.
This car itself is a step forward in the right direction, a leap forward in automotive technology that demonstrates that a car can be built with good use that can last several hours on a charge. It’s not like these little urban runabouts like the G-WIZ over in Englandland. This car has got me really excited and if I had the money to plop down on a deposit, I would in an instant. I only hope the real car is as good as the concept and what they say about it.
Telsa Motors – Model S
(source: www.teslamotors.com/display_data/Spec_ModelS_US.pdf)
0-60 in 5.6sec – all electric w/ 120mph top speed
Available all-wheel-drive
All electric – Lithium-Ion Batteries
Range of 150 to 300 miles, 45min QuickCharge from 120V, 240V, 480V
5 min battery swap – up to 10 year battery life
~49,900 USD after tax break – US, Europe (limited service centers)
17in Touchscreen w/ 3g connectivity
Seating for 7
60/40 flat-folding rear seat
Honda FCX Clarity
(souce: automobiles.honda.com/fcx-clarity)
Drive-by-wire
134hp/189ft-lbs of torque from Electric motor w/ 100kw output
Front wheel drive
Range – (city/highway/combined) 77/67/72 w/ 280mi driving range
Hydrogen Gas w/ Lithium-Ion Batteries
Seating for 4
600 USD a month lease for 3 years – Limited release in Southern California
SatNav, Rear view camera, XM Radio w/ MP3/auxiliary plug
