TOKYO MOTOR SHOW: Honda's fuel cell vehicle to star

Honda will launch a new fuel cell electric vehicle at this month’s Tokyo Motor Show

Targeting the high-profile Toyota Mirai, Honda will unveil the production-ready hydrogen fuel cell vehicle – but it’s keep its name under wraps.

Inheriting design hints from the previous FCEV and FCV concepts and Accord hybrid, the Tokyo-bound car (pictured) might have been toned down from its earlier prototype, but will still boast a more stylish exterior than its Toyota rival.

Unlike the Mirai however, the Honda will offer a five seat configuration, and according to Honda, will deliver a range of around 700km. The carmaker also guarantees “exhilarating driving” from its “high-output motors.”

A special feature that could come in handy, says Honda, is the car’s ability to provide emergency backup power to homes during power outages. This technology has received significant attention in Japan in the wake of the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and the Fukushima nuclear meltdown. Whether that feature will be offered on export models is something we’ll have to wait and see.

Honda has reported the FCEV will go on sale in Japan in March 2016, and limited markets like the US after that. When it will land on our shores is yet to be decided.

After repeated global motor show reveals in concept form, the production version of the NSX will officially be displayed at Tokyo. Having been revealed, unveiled and debuted at just about every major motor show over the last three years, the American-made Honda NSX will grace the carmaker’s stand at Tokyo for the last time before going on sale in the US by December 2015 and April 2016 in Japan.