Honda FCX Clarity showcases the future

I mentioned the Honda FCX Clarity last week, a car you may not have heard of, but it’s an impressive performance machine. With 256Nm of torque available from zero revs, it’s quick off the mark for a big family saloon. The FCX (above) is not a wacky concept but a genuine production reality, albeit one that’s only available in Japan and America where it can be leased. It is the world’s first hydrogen car to achieve that status, and two examples are now based in Germany. It’s a smart-looking thing, though the hydrogen tank behind the rear seats means boot space is limited, and it’s got a typically hi-tech Honda interior. The only tailpipe emission is water, but the thing that’s most amazing about this car is that bar the whine of the air compressor, it’s totally silent. There are currently no plans to make the FCX available in Europe – we don’t have the hydrogen infrastructure that other parts of the world do – but it will come with time. There’s talk of setting up filling stations along the M4 from London to South Wales, so anyone driving that route could benefit. Once that happens other motorways will follow.

Potholes in the Pyrenees? Not one!

Posting this early as I'm out tomorrow driving Honda's FCX Clarity hydrogen car. More on that at a later date. I’ve just spent a day in southern France driving the new BMW 5-Series (above). It’s a hugely impressive car and for those of you who can afford it, the scorching M5 performance flagship is on the way next year. But the thing that struck me most as I drove over the Pyrenees and into Spain was the quality of the roads. There was not a pothole in sight. This is a region that’s covered in snow for large chunks of the winter months, yet the tarmac was absolutely unblemished and totally smooth to drive on. I accept these roads probably don’t get the traffic levels of the UK, but that’s not the point. Back roads near where I live don’t get much use either but they’re literally falling apart. The Pyrenees will get at least as much snow as we’ve had in the last few months, probably more and year after year, yet the highways are perfect. Sometimes I wonder where it all went wrong in this country.

McLaren road cars ride again

You will know the name McLaren from Formula One, its legendary Nineties F1 supercar, and for its role in the Mercedes SLR. Those of you with kids will also know it from push-chairs but don’t be confused, that’s a totally different company! McLaren has unveiled a new road car (above), that will go on sale next year. Blessed with the catchy moniker MP4-12C, around 1,000 will be built at the firm’s base in Woking, Surrey. It’s already a hit, with 1,600 ‘expressions of interest’ from customers around the world. But it’s just the start. McLaren has announced grand plans to be a serious player in the supercar business and has “a vision for a full range of high-performance sports cars by the middle of the decade”. The 12C is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V8 pumping out 592bhp. There’s no official performance figures, but insiders hint at around 3.5 seconds to 60mph and a top speed of more than 200mph. Recession? What recession?

A British Motor Show this summer after all...?

If you’ve been a regular attendee of the British Motor Show (above) you’ll know that as 2010 is an ‘even number’ there should be one this summer. Unfortunately the recession killed it off 12 months ago as manufacturers said they couldn’t justify the expense. Discussions about a 2012 event are already ongoing but don’t hold your breath. Thankfully something else is taking its place for now. Organisers of the Goodwood Festival of Speed have confirmed they’re to stage ‘The Moving Motor Show’ on Thursday 1 July, with the FoS to follow over the weekend. Visitors will be able to drive cars directly off manufacturer stands, and even tackle the legendary Hill Climb. A number of big-name companies have already confirmed they’re in. So that’s the good news. The bad news is if you don’t know where Goodwood is, I suggest you get a map out and search for Chichester. An event like this would be great for Britain’s petrolheads, but simple geography will prevent many from attending. The UK deserves a high quality motoring event. Maybe what took place at the Birmingham NEC and London’s ExCeL in recent years wasn’t it, but it would be a crying shame if there’s nothing at all.

Should we teach kids eco-driving?

On a plane Monday morning to drive the new BMW 5-Series, so you're getting this as a Sunday treat! Your age will determine what type of driving test you did. Older readers will recollect going once round the block and doing an emergency stop, younger ones will have had to do a theory test as well as a practical. Now there’s a call for another new element to be included, the dark art of eco-driving, which is the ability to use a car in an energy efficient way. The call has come from the CBI, an umbrella group for business, which believes – as do most people – that smooth driving and avoiding sharp braking or acceleration can reduce fuel use by 5-10 per cent. It’s about reading the road further ahead than usual in order to predict what’s going to happen. What’s the point in powering up to a queue of traffic waiting at a red light, then braking hard to stop? Why not come off the throttle earlier and coast to it? “Learner drivers already have to demonstrate they can drive in a fuel-efficient way, but this is not a pass or fail element,” says the CBI in a new report. It believes it should be. A fair point? More ‘nanny state’ nonsense? I’d be interested in your thoughts.

Renault puts the Wind up rivals...

Another week, another sporty Renault! This is the Wind, a two-seater convertible to rival the Peugeot 207CC which will hit showrooms in the summer. Stopping the clock at just 12 seconds (see video, below), the Wind has got the world’s fastest powered roof. It’s hinged at the rear and just flips over as a single piece, folding into a separate compartment above the boot. This means no loss of luggage space, a first for a folding metal hard-topped car. Here’s the big question – is it a car for blokes? On the face of it, probably not. But Renault is confident it can do something about that. It’s talking about special editions aimed specifically at male buyers. No clues on what those might be, but my money is on black with smoked alloys. What’s very interesting is that the Wind has been developed by Renaultsport but doesn’t wear the badge. I recently chatted to a senior product planner from the French firm who said no decision had been taken about whether there would be a more hardcore RS model in the future. He was also talking up the car’s performance, saying it's very much a sports car and not a city runabout that happens to be a convertible. Time will tell.

Peugeot launches car club

Have you heard of car clubs like StreetCar and ZipCar? They usually operate in towns and cities, and you hire a vehicle from them by the hour. They’re for people who don’t need the hassle and expense of owning wheels but still want regular access. Later this year Peugeot will become the first manufacturer in the UK to launch its own car club. Called ‘Mu by Peugeot’ it’s based around a single dealership and works via online bookings. You go on the website, reserve what you want then visit the dealership to collect. It’s open to anyone, but if you’re already a Peugeot owner you can swap your car for something else for the day. Got a 107 city car but need to drive 300 miles to Grandma’s house? Swap to a 407. You can book everything from Peugeot bicycles and scooters to the i0n electric vehicle and RCZ sports coupe. You can also have accessories such as a roof box, bike rack or sat-nav. A pilot scheme will launch in London later this year and if it’s a hit will spread further a field. I suspect rival firms will be watching very closely. Well done Peugeot for taking the bold step to go first.

Geneva Motor Show 2010 report

Many of you will have been to motor shows, and for those that haven’t you’ll have a good idea of what’s involved. Wandering around the halls at a leisurely pace looking at cars, indulging your passion and hopefully having fun. Press Day at a motor show for a freelance journalist is absolutely nothing like that. On Tuesday I was up before 6am and fell into my bed at 3am. It’s a chaotic scramble to see the cars, interview company executives, press the flesh and try to find some stories, before heading back to the hotel to write and file them. I want you know I suffered to bring you the following Geneva performance car highlights:

Pagani Zonda Tricolore (above) A new version of the legendary Italian supercar. The ‘three colours’ are a dark blue exterior, light blue interior and bright yellow wheels. Somehow it works.

The new Skoda Fabia vRS. With a 1.4-litre 180bhp engine that’s turbocharged and supercharged, it’s on sale in July from for under £16k and there will be an estate.

Renault Clio Gordini. The return of the G-badge launches a new performance model that’s one down from the Renaultsport versions. There’s a Gordini Twingo too, plus a Megane to follow.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta. The 147 replacement revives an iconic name from the Fifties. Most desirable will be a flagship 1.8-litre with 235bhp.

Fisker Karma. A striking plug-in hybrid from the man who designed the Aston Martin DB9. It hits 0-60mph in six seconds, but with 83g/km of CO₂.

Audi RS5. The top spec car in the A5 range is on sale now priced from £57,480 for October delivery. Expect 450bhp from its 4.2-litre petrol engine.

Fiat 500C Abarth. The flagship version of the convertible version of the ever-so-popular city car. On sale later this year.