General Motors has unveiled its Cadillac Provoq concept car, which serves to showcase the company’s latest hydrogen fuel cell technology, while also providing a preview of the forthcoming BRX crossover’s exterior.
Fuel Cell Technology
The concept can drive 300 miles when fully fueled — 280 miles from hydrogen and 20 miles on pure battery power. The latter figure is important because it means many drivers would be able to make their daily commute without consuming any fuel. While the hydrogen system can charge the batteries, a plug-in feature would also allow owners to recharge the system overnight.
A pair of 10,000 psi (700 bar) composite storage tanks beneath the rear cargo floor hold 13.2 pounds (6 kg) of hydrogen to feed the fuel cell stack, located under the hood. The system can generate 88 kW continuous power and the batteries can provide an additional 60 kW for acceleration.
The electricity generated by the fuel cell is distributed to a 70 kW co-axial drive system for the front wheels and individual, 40 kW wheel hub motors on the rear wheels, giving the Cadillac Provoq its all-wheel-drive. Zero to 60 mph takes 8.5 seconds and a top speed of 100 mph is possible.
BRX Previewed
With all this talk of high-tech powertrains, it would be easy to overlook the most important aspect of the Provoq in the short term — its exterior design. Cadillac is widely expected to launch a new crossover called the BRX for the 2009 or 2010 model year. The Provoq apears to provide a good indicator of how that vehicle will look.
The new crossover is said to be a smaller, more economical replacement for Cadillac’s slow-selling SRX and will ride on long-wheelbase version of the Theta II platform — the same that underpins the Saturn Vue.
Sources say engine choice will include a range of V6s, as well as a diesel. All the models will be made in Mexico and exported to the U.S. and Europe.
Improved interior likely to see production
While many of these so-called design preview concept feature production exteriors with wild and adventurous interiors, the Provoq actually has a very market-ready cabin.
The interior seats five and incorporates the latest trends in Cadillac’s interior design department. Similarities to the new CTS sedan are plain to see, including much better seating, ergonomics, and materials than those found in Cadillac models of past years.
The interior has a contrasting, dark gray and light gray color scheme, with chrome and satin-chrome accents throughout. Ambient lighting extends across the instrument panel and into the door panels, as well as the foot wells, sills and under the seats.
A unique instrument cluster with large, reconfigurable LCD displays offers a multitude of vehicle information readouts. Like the CTS, the Provoq has a prominent center stack that houses the audio and climate systems, as well as a navigation system that rises out of the top of the instrument panel. Also like the CTS, there is an integrated hard drive that stores navigation maps, thousands of songs and so on.
