Honda fuel cell concept makes ultimate Aussie debut

[7th Gen]

Honda fuel cell concept makes ultimate Aussie debut

Honda's fuel cell KIWAMI concept car will head the company's line-up at the Australian International Motor Show from 7 October.

KIWAMI - meaning "ultimate" in Japanese - was first displayed at Tokyo Motor Show last year and is Honda's futuristic vision of a fuel-cell powered luxury sedan. In keeping with KIWAMI's environmentally-friendly fuel source, its aesthetics are based on traditional Japanese design principles of balance, purity and function.



KIWAMI's styling is minimalist in appearance, yet features the latest "intelligent" technology, including Honda fuel cell stack, synchronized control 4WD system, exterior information display and panel-touch gear shifting.
KIWAMI is designed with a low, wide wedge shape and has a roofline of just 1250mm - 35mm lower than the S2000 sports car. The H-shaped layout of the control unit, ultra capacitor, fuel cell stack and hydrogen storage unit allow KIWAMI to have a low centre of gravity and low floor. It's wide, low dimensions also allow handling stability and a comfortable, spacious interior for four passengers.

Honda has also made a design feature out the fuel cell stack, ultra capacitor and hydrogen storage unit. All three are housed in a tunnel that extends from the dashboard through to the rear seats, which has blue illumination. Two dials are positioned between the front passenger seats, controlling functions on the dashboard's information display.



KIWAMI will be showcased alongside Honda's range of passenger cars, including revised versions of the CR-V four-wheel drive, Jazz and Integra range. The Australian International Motor Show will open at the Darling Harbour Exhibition Centre in Sydney from 7-17 October.

SPECIFICATIONS - KIWAMI

Powertrain: High output Honda fuel cell stack, DC motor & energy storage hydrogen unit
Drive system :Twin motor with synchronised 4WD system
Wheels: Front: 225/45R18 Rear: 255/45R19
Length: 4,500 mm
Width: 1,820 mm
Height: 1,250 mm

7 October 2004

Source




as usual, Australia has to make do with the hand-me-downs at Tokyo's show from last year

it seems it is more press-worthy for Holden to revive an old model name and update it for the 00's - naughties, it worked for Monaro, why not for Torana?!??!?!?!?

[7th Gen]

really wide and low, big wheels too
some guy said it looked like a 'funeral car' (black)

you can tell the back developed from this concept into the rear end of the current odyssey