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Honda Clarity Fuel Cell has the longest range of any EV: 366 miles

If you want to go far without emitting anything from your tailpipe, your new road trip warrior is here. Honda announced today that its upcoming Clarity fuel cell vehicle will have an amazing 366-mile range. That's the most you can get from a zero-emission vehicle between recharging or refueling. The other electric vehicles with more than 300 miles of range are the battery-powered 2016 Tesla Model S P100D ( 315 miles) and the hydrogen-powered 2017 Toyota Mirai ( 312 miles). WIth 68 MPGe, the Clarity Fuel Cell can't claim the highest miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent rating in the US, since these are all based on official EPA numbers. That title goes to the BMW i3, with 124 MPGe. The hydrogen Clarity should arrive for lease in hydrogen-friendly California before the 2016 calendar runs out. It will be followed by all-electric and plug-in hybrid versions in the coming years. The hydrogen Clarity will lease for about $500 a month, a bill that will almost certainly include the hydrogen fuel, since that's par for the course with hydrogen vehicles in the US right now. Related Video:

Weekly Recap: Kia leads Korea's quality surge

The rapid rise of Korea's auto brands in the US market has been apparent on the sales charts for several years, and now it's showing up in an area that's just as crucial: quality. Kia and Hyundai earned the highest rankings among mainstream brands in the J. D. Power Initial Quality Study released on Wednesday. The study tracks problems owners report during the first 90 days they own their car. Kia reported 86 problems per 100 vehicles, or fewer than one problem per car sold, to take second in the rankings behind luxury sportscar-maker Porsche (80). Kia's score improved by nearly 20 percent compared with the 2014 study. "The big industry story is Kia," Renee Stephens, vice president of U.S. automotive quality at J.D. Power, said in a video statement, noting Kia's infotainment systems were the key reason for its improved performance. Hyundai was fourth for the second straight year, though its score actually worsened by one, to 95. Even with Hyundai's slight dip, Korean quality increased 11 percent, according to the study, which far outpaced American and European companies' three-percent increases. Japanese brands improved one percent. Hyundai Motor Co. (parent company of the Hyundai and Kia brands) captured four individual vehicle awards, which tied for the most with General Motors, Nissan, and Volkswagen. "The Korean brands have really taken off," Stephens said. "There's movement in the industry, and the patterns are shifting." Another luxury brand, Jaguar (93 problems), slotted in between Hyundai and Kia in third place. Infiniti was fifth, followed by BMW. Chevrolet was the highest domestic brand, taking seventh place, followed by Lincoln, Lexus, and Toyota, which were all well above the industry average of 112 problems per 100 vehicles. OTHER NEWS & NOTES Kirk Kerkorian dead at 98 Kirk Kerkorian, a billionaire activist investor who wielded enormous influence on the Detroit Three car companies in the 1990s and 2000s, died Monday. He was 98 years old. Kerkorian made headlines in 1995 for trying to take over Chrysler – with the help of former chairman Lee Iacocca – before being fended off by Chrysler management. His takeover attempt ultimately pushed Chrysler to be sold to German giant Daimler. He tried to buy Chrysler again in 2007 when Daimler put Chrysler on the market, but Kerkorian fell short and the automaker was sold to private equity firm Cerberus.

IndyCars parade across Golden Gate Bridge for Justin Wilson [w/video]

Seeing IndyCars driving on public roads is a rare treat, especially on an iconic landmark like the Golden Gate Bridge. Unfortunately, the exciting sight came on a very somber occasion. On August 27, a parade of five racecars sped across the famous span in large part to memorialize fellow driver Justin Wilson. In an incredibly touching scene, teammate Marco Andretti led the pack, and he was behind the wheel of Wilson's number 25 Andretti Autosport Honda. "It was an honor to drive Justin's car. It was emotional for sure," Andretti said to the IndyCar Series. Behind him were Graham Rahal, Will Power, and Josef Newgarden. James Hinchcliffe was in a two-seater IndyCar to deliver the Aston Cup to the season finale at Sonoma Raceway. Two safety vehicles were also part of the procession, and they were flying Justin Wilson flags. Wilson passed away earlier this week after being struck in the head by a carbon-fiber nosecone from a crash ahead of him during the ABC Supply 500 at Pocono Raceway. Since then there has been an outpouring of support from the motorsport world for the 37-year-old racer's family. You can watch a clip of the driver's crossing the Bridge, below. News Source: NBC Bay Area, IndyCarImage Credit: Eric Risberg / AP Photo Motorsports Honda Racing Vehicles Videos IndyCar andretti autosport james hinchcliffe sonoma raceway golden gate bridge josef newgarden