Honda mixes hydrogen with sport in L.A.

Honda

The L.A. Auto Show is officially in full swing, and over at Honda, the automaker had a surprise debut for the assembled media in the FC Sport Design Study.

The FC Sport is a concept vehicle that takes the hydrogen fuel cell technology Honda uses in the FCX Clarity sedan and then modifies it for use in a sports car.

The packaging of all the related hardware -- the fuel cell, battery, and electric motor -- is optimized for this specific use, so the FC Sport has favorable weight distribution, a light overall weight, and a low center of gravity. These elements are the keys to a successful sports car.

The concept allows for a three-passenger layout, with the driver sitting in the center of the car, while the two other seats flank him and sit farther back. Honda's press release also states that the design allows for "green construction" techniques, with the use of bio-plastic body panels and the like.

Make no mistake: This is just a concept -- a fun, pie-in-the-sky exercise. It wasn't all that long ago that the hydrogen propulsion system which acts as its centerpiece would have been the part that seemed least doable. Funny how it's actually the most believable part of the overall package today, eh?

The best concept cars are the ones grounded in just enough reality to make people excited. This one? Exciting.

Alex Nunez is associate editor of Autoblog.com.