Honda might have pulled...
Honda might have pulled out of Formula 1 and shelved its much hyped 600hp V10-powered NSX in the wake of the financial crisis, but the company hasnò€™t forgotten its sporty roots. One look at the concepts for this yearò€™s Tokyo Auto Salon (Jan 9-11) clear that query up.
The latest version is...
The latest version is a true zero-emissions vehicle, thanks to the advanced E-Flex propulsion system. It does without the original"s 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine. Instead, power is provided by two sources: an advanced hydrogen fuel cell, carried on board, and a lithium-ion battery.
This Volt operates using electricity generated by the fuel cell or from the mains, via a clever plug-in capability. It can achieve an impressive range of up to 300 miles from only 4kg of hydrogen. It features GM"s fifth-generation fuel-cell system, which is half the size of its predecessor.
The entire assembly, which fits neatly under the bonnet of the show car, takes up roughly the same amount of space as a normal four-cylinder petrol engine fitted with an automatic gearbox.
Larry Burns, GM"s vice-president of research and development and strategic planning, said: "The beauty of our E-Flex strategy is that it allows us to package various propulsion systems into the same space, depending on what energy is available locally."
Other innovative technologies include the latest in-hub motors, which independently drive the rear wheels of the car. As well as boosting torque and providing regenerative power under braking, the units make the Volt a four-wheel-drive vehicle.