Honda Clarity has always been a green car that uses alternative fuel technology for deriving power. The Clarity came out as an electric vehicle that relied on hydrogen fuel cell but the later versions were launched as battery-powered electric vehicles. In 2017, Honda launched the Clarity’s plug-in hybrid model and now the new 2018 plug-in hybrid model is touted to deliver better fuel economy.
The 2018 Clarity Plug-in Hybrid
The hybrid car receives 181 hp and 232 pound-feet of torque from a 17-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and an electric motor. The electric motor is coupled with a 1.5-liter gasoline inline-four engine whose individual output is not known yet.
The car has the capacity to cover a distance of 47 miles by relying solely on the electric battery and the distance is less in comparison to the Toyota Prius Prime’s 25-mile range. However, Honda Clarity fails to supersede the Chevrolet Volt’s capacity of covering 53 miles with the help of electric power.
Besides delivering a high fuel economy, the 2018 Honda Clarity will be loaded with the numerous features offered by the Honda Sensing suite. Some of the key safety features include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist and heated front seats. Other enticing features include multi-angle rear-view camera, LED lighting, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
A luxurious touring version will also be available along with the standard version. It will come with high-quality leather upholstery and a leather-covered steering wheel.
Competition
The 2018 Honda Clarity is poised to compete with other eco-friendly cars like the Toyota Prius Prime, Hyundai IONIQ and the Chevrolet Bolt. Honda Clarity has a definite edge over Prius Prime and the Bolt because of its superior electric range.
Currently, Honda Clarity is not available in Dubai and it is not known whether the 2018 version will ever make its way to the Dubai car market. As a part of its initiative to curb carbon emissions, the Government of Dubai is one of those markets that is offering a number of incentives to electric car manufacturers. In the coming years, Dubai will prove to be an important market for Honda Clarity if the Japanese car giant wishes to prepare itself for the electric future.
