2011 Honda AC-X Plug-In Hybrid Concept

TopSpeed

By Kirby Garlitos

Published Nov 13, 2011

Honda->ke34 has prepared a number of concept vehicles that it will introduce at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show->ke1834. Now that we're in the middle of the press days for the event, the Japanese automaker has finally unveiled their concept vehicles, including the Advanced Cruiser-X Concept, or AC-X.

A unique element of the AC-X is that it features two different drive modes. There's the engine mode, which makes use of the installed internal combustion engine - 1.6-liter gasoline engine - and the electric drive system, drawing maximum performance out of the car. Then there's the automatic mode, which pretty much lets the car do the engine mixing depending on the required load the car has at any point.

Under its hood, the AC-X will be powered by a hybrid powertrain that includes a 1.6-liter petrol engine that produces 127 horsepower and an electric motor that contributes significantly in increasing the output of the AC-X to 161 horsepower. According to Honda, the AC-X Concept is capable of running on pure electricity for around 30 miles at a respectable speed of 62 mph. When it's run on a full fuel and motor set-up, that range increases all the way up to 620 miles.

Aesthetically, the four-door sedan concept comes with a futuristic front and rear set-up with the head and taillight configuration running the entire length of the front and the rear of the car, respectively. The concept also makes use of several aerodynamic components, including the front and rear bumpers, the side skirts, and the specially-designed alloy wheel configuration, all of which were put into place to provide low better handling and lower aerodynamic drag for the concept. Inside, the most noticeable feature of the AC-X is the absence of a traditional steering wheel.

We're not sure how a pair of joysticks will work in driving a car like this, but we're definitely intrigued at the possibilities.