General Motors today will allow journalists to drive a working version of its Sequel concept, which the automaker says will be sold as a Chevrolet. Sequel was introduced in 2005 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. GM says it’s the first vehicle in the world to successfully integrate a hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system with a broad menu of advanced technologies such as steer-and brake-by-wire controls, wheel hub motors, lithium-ion batteries and a lightweight aluminum structure. “Sequel fundamentally changes the DNA of today’s automobiles … exchanging an internal combustion engine, petroleum and mechanical systems for fuel cell propulsion, hydrogen and electrical systems,” R&D vice president Larry Burns said. “In Sequel, GM has created a real vehicle that promises to excite customers and lead to long-term, sustainable automotive transportation.” Compared to other fuel cell vehicles, Sequel has an unprecedented range of 300 miles between fill-ups. Zero to 60 mph takes under ten seconds, and top speed is 90 mph. Overall weight is 4774 lbs.
Sequel has all the amenities one would expect in a premium, five-passenger crossover SUV, including luxury features and electronics. It has a low-profile, skateboard-like chassis that houses all of its main propulsion, braking and chassis components.
“Sequel is a vehicle that is better in nearly every way – quicker, more sure-footed, easier to handle, easier to build and better looking, while being safe and emitting only water vapor,” said Burns.
Other benefits include:
- Unequaled control on snow and ice, or uneven terrain
- 70-percent more torque for unparalleled acceleration
- Shorter braking distances
- Ability to “talk” to other vehicles about traffic congestion or road conditions
“Four years ago, our chairman and CEO, Rick Wagoner, challenged us to completely rethink the automobile,” Burns said. “With the Chevy Sequel, we have now met Rick’s challenge by reinventing the automobile and making it real. We’ve proven a new DNA for vehicles that is viable for the future.”
09/11, 8:05 AM
posted by:
zan
I am a bit tired of hearing about all these future vehicles that run on new fuels that nobody can buy. Yes yes its great that all of you are working on cars with alternative fuels, but its a little early to be claiming that your car is the best since its not a production car.
This is just propaganda. The point of it is lost on me I am not going to buy a Chevy because they have better technology that I cant buy any more then I would buy a BMW becasue they said they will have a 7 series with a hydrogen engine.
Its just silly
09/11, 8:24 AM
posted by:
RustedEmpire
I absolutely agree with you
09/11, 9:21 AM
posted by:
FunkyPig
So they say it will be sold, great… but when? Honda says it will have a FC car onsale in about 3 years, doubt they could beat that, but would be nice wouldn’t it?
09/11, 10:28 AM
posted by:
Fatstrat
Yup, bad mouth GM. GM could cure cancer you you guys would find a way to complain about it.
FC refueling infrastructure is so far away the statement that Honda will have a vehicle on the market in 3 years doesnt matter either.
09/11, 11:02 AM
posted by:
Richard
zan and RustedEmpire, According to the article you will be able to buy it. This is what “will be sold as a Chevrolet” means. This is unmitigated good news. Fuel cells have promise of allowing pollution-free, greenhouse gas-free vehicles with nearly the same convenience as gasoline-powered cars.
09/11, 11:33 AM
posted by:
spider
hella tight design. they should build it, regardless of powertrain technology. this thing would smash Scion xBs. Schweet.
09/11, 11:58 AM
posted by:
Bonquisha Jackson
I thought this was announced as a CHevrolet?
09/11, 12:02 PM
posted by:
Jim in LA
this is fantastic news. each announcement like this separates us that much more from the terrorist-supporting savages we buy our oil from.
09/11, 12:39 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
4774 lbs? Lightweight? What the hell?!? Gheeez, even the old-school Blazer with the body on frame design is ~4300 lbs, just what in God’s name did they make this vehicle from?
09/11, 2:29 PM
posted by:
Kenny W
I too find the weight of this vehicle to be a bit “excessive”, but I think that overall this is nothing but good news. Unfortunately by the time these vehicles are ready from Honda/Chevy/BMW/et all, the gas stations to fuel them will still be years away. Without the help of either the gov’t or a HUGE corporation (such as Wal Mart), or both, I don’t see these taking off anytime soon.
09/11, 4:58 PM
posted by:
FunkyPig
I think the pictures are of the 2005 concept and not the latest version. Loved the comment about people complaining if GM cured cancer by Fatstrat… so true.
09/12, 2:26 AM
posted by:
John Landers
This thing looks great! Put a V6 hybrid in it and build it today.
09/13, 1:41 AM
posted by:
Reno and Its Discontents»Blog Archive » Reno And Beyond: Cocktails All Around
[...] The billion dollar car! No lie, that’s how much research is behind it, at least that’s what the reporter on BBC American News said last night. [...]
09/13, 4:26 AM
posted by:
Scott Kempton
This is unbelievable. You folks who are being so negative about this vehicle just astound me.
Zan—propaganda? Do you seriously think GM would invest the money and engineering manpower in this car for the sake of propaganda? Do you LIKE $3/gallon gasoline? Assuming you don’t, what do you think we should do about it? And who do you think has the money and engineering resources, not to mention clout in the marketplace, to pull off such a sweeping change in what powers our cars, not to mention the infrastructure to supply it? Have you considered that EVERY SINGLE vehicle EVER produced has run on fossil fuel? And wouldn’t you rather have an American company lead the way to whatever’s next, than the Japanese, the Germans, or the Korean’s? And wouldn’t it be nice to say that the very first car to be powered by a fuel cell was a Chevrolet? Or would you rather hear that “yeah, the first fuel cell car was a Toyota”? I guarantee that if that happens, you’ll be the first one to rag on the American car companies for blowing that opportunity.
So if the Sequel strikes you as nothing but propaganda from GM, what would YOU do about our reliance on foreign oil, and the price of gasoline? Hmmmm?? Geez dude—pull your head out.
09/13, 4:35 AM
posted by:
Scott Kempton
1c3d0g—so it weights 4700 pounds. What does YOUR research say the worlds first fuel cell-powered, luxury five passenger crossover SUV should weigh?