Platform and body panel questions

Rothgarr · Oct 14, 2018

I can't find what platform the Clarity is built on. Is it the same as the Civic? The Accord? Something else?

Also, does the Clarity share a single body panel with any other Honda vehicle? If not, are the body panels made of metal? If so, I wonder why they wouldn't make them out of plastic or fiberglass or some other lightweight material.

DaleL · Oct 14, 2018

It is my understanding that the Clarity is a unique platform that includes the PHEV, hydrogen fuel cell, and EV variants.

From the Honda Press Kit: "55 percent of the body is constructed with advanced lightweight materials including ultra-high strength steel, aluminum and plastic. Approximately 40 percent of the body is constructed using ultra-high-strength (980-1500 MPa) steel. Aluminum is used extensively in the body as well, for the hood, front fenders, front bumper beam, front and rear doors, trunk lid and rear parcel shelf. A new glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) is utilized for the rear bumper beam, and the front bulkhead is made with plastic, instead of steel, with an aluminum upper section, where the bulkhead is bolted to the body. Aluminum is also applied extensively to the front and rear suspension and subframes."

Rothgarr · Oct 14, 2018

Interesting. It sounds like a lot more thought went into it than I thought.

My assumption was that it used the frame from one of the other platforms and traditional body panels.

Thanks for that info.

PHEV Newbie · Oct 14, 2018

Rothgarr said:
I can't find what platform the Clarity is built on. Is it the same as the Civic? The Accord? Something else?

Also, does the Clarity share a single body panel with any other Honda vehicle? If not, are the body panels made of metal? If so, I wonder why they wouldn't make them out of plastic or fiberglass or some other lightweight material.

The Clarity is on a unique platform for the purpose of fitting a fuel cell system, a BEV system, and a PHEV system. The Clarity is about an inch longer and wider than the Honda Accord but the wheelbase is about 3 inches shorter which makes the interior somewhat less roomy (less legroom in the back). All the extra length went into the front to accommodate the fuel cell system which in entirely housed under the hood, unique among all FC cars. For that reason, there's a lot of extra space under the hood of the PHEV version because the system is more compact than the FC (identical to the Accord Hybrid but with a smaller ICE engine). On the plus side, that provides a much larger buffer zone up front to absorb energy from crashes, possibly making the Clarity the safest Honda product (we'll never know because there doesn't seem to any plans to crash test the Clarity but all Honda vehicles excel in crash tests). As mentioned, all the body panels are aluminum except the rear fenders. Most of the suspension is also aluminum. Likely, the cost to produce the Clarity Touring is higher than the MSRP. The MSRP of the Clarity in Japan is US$55,000 when converted. Other Honda cars are less expensive in Japan than the same models in the US. Where they saved money is in the interior. The Steering wheel came from the Civic and CR-V and the front seats are the same as the Civic but with slightly different stitching. Infotainment/Honda Sensing is also the older version.

Atkinson · Oct 14, 2018

Not just suspension, but sub-frames are aluminum (and beautiful to look at).
They are cast hollow like motorcycle frames.
One of the bumper frames is plastic (composite) and the other is aluminum.
Lots of high-tech and unique stuff.
One thing that is not bleeding edge is the power-train.
As I understand it, Clarity power-train is based on the Accord Hybrid Gen II only with a smaller engine and no exhaust heat recovery.
If that is correct, efficiency is increased for motor and generator with rare earth magnets versus Gen III ferrite magnets.
Downside is rare earth materials are often mined using unethical practices and as the name implies are *rare* leading to monopolies on supply chains.

KentuckyKen · Oct 14, 2018

Using a magnet wrapped in felt on the body panels, I determined only the roof panel is steel. All others are aluminum. The roof panel is one piece with the A pillars and top of the rear quarter panels to the skirts and top of the rear bumper. The rear bumper wraps around to the rear wheell well and forms the bottom half of of the rear quarter panel. Even both fuel doors are aluminum.
As above posts mention, Honda took extraordinary measures to keep the weight down to make up for the heavy battery pack and still could only get it down to ~4,000 lbs.

V8Power · Oct 14, 2018

New platform & new materials technology to reduce weight, improve quietness, increase strength for safety / handling and increase cabin space. Made in Japan.