2017 New York Auto Show: Honda Clarity Electric & Plug-In Hybrid Revealed

Honda Clarity is now offered with a choice of three electric powertrains: the hydrogen fuel-cell version launched this past December, plus the new plug-in hybrid and pure EV variants.

Updated: Thursday, April 13, 2017, 16:34 [IST]

Late in 2016, Honda released the first in its trio of zero-emissions vehicles with the Clarity Fuel Cell. Today, at the New York Auto Show, the automaker has debuted its two siblings, the Clarity Electric and Clarity Plug-In Hybrid.

2017 New York Auto Show: Honda Clarity All-Electric And Plug-In Electric Versions Debuts

Honda Clarity will now be available with a choice of three electric powertrains: the hydrogen fuel-cell version launched this past December, plus the new plug-in hybrid and pure EV variants.

The Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid, the most impressive of the two, the PHEV's powertrain merges a 1.5-litre Atkinson cycle four-cylinder petrol unit, an 180bhp electric motor churning out 315Nm of torque and a 17kWh battery pack.

With 2.5-hours needed to recharge completely, the battery pack supplies enough power for 42 miles (68km) of pure electric range before the petrol motor steps in and extends the total range to over 330 miles (531km).

The Honda Clarity All-Electric is powered by a 160bhp (120 kW) electric unit sending 300Nm of torque to the front wheels. The electric power is stored by a 25.5 kWh battery pack that can be fully charged in just over three hours. DC fast charging with the SAE Combined Charging System can charge to 80 percent charge in just 30 minutes.

The official range for the Clarity Electric have not been announced, but reports based on statements made by Honda representatives and estimates based on the battery capacity foretell it will be around 80 miles (129km).