The Cadillac Provoq has provoked much excitement since General Motors debuted the hydrogen fuel cell concept crossover at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. GM has taken the unusual tactic of rolling the Cadillac Provoq out at this show ahead of the Detroit North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in order to elicit interest and engage a whole new group.
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The Cadillac Provoq uses a similar E-Flex hybrid system as the Chevy Volt integrated with the new fifth generation hydrogen fuel cell system. The system uses a 70 kw co-axial drive system up front and each rear wheel uses a 40 kw hub motor, generating power and speed.
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 Cadillac Provoq |
The Cadillac Provoq has a top speed of 100 mph with 0 – 60 mph acceleration of just 8.5 seconds, which is pretty decent for a vehicle of its size. The Chevy Equniox fuel cell SUV, by comparison, which General Motors is using in its Project Driveway program has a 0 – 60 mph acceleration of 12 seconds.
The Cadillac Provoq has a range of 300 miles, with the first 20 miles accomplished by battery power alone and the next 280 from the fuel cell and hydrogen tanks. The concept vehicle carries two 10,000 psi hydrogen tanks made of composite storage material located underneath the cargo floor.
The Cadillac Provoq also uses a lithium-ion battery pack for the first miles on the vehicle plus an additional 60 kw power burst if needed to go up hills or pass other vehicles. The Cadillac Provoq is decidedly a luxury vehicle as its comfortable leather interior may indicate, but it also has a few other environmentally friendly features as well.
Cadillac Provoq – Image Courtesy WinningNews.net
A solar panel on the roof of the Cadillac Provoq is used to power the vehicle’s audio system, interior lights and other accessories. Soy-based materials have been used to create the Cadillac Provoq’s headliner. The carpeting is made from recycled jute and polyester.
Besides these green features, the Cadillac Provoq also has a few other technological features worth noting. For instance, the fuel cell vehicle uses brake-by-wire technology, the front grille louvers close at highway speeds to increase aerodynamics and the vehicle carries a full underbody for the same reason.
The Cadillac Provoq does just what the name indicates. It provokes thought of technological advances, the feeling of greenness with its zero emissions and other environmentally friendly features and the desire to charge full steam ahead into a hydrogen-based future.